Master of Education in Reading
EC-12 Content with Reading Specialist Certification
About the Degree
A campus reading specialist serves as a resource to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. In the Master of Education in Reading program, students will learn leadership and communication skills, as well as methods for improving the reading ability of students with a variety of different needs. If you are interested in learning and growing as a reading professional, the M. Ed Reading degree is a great opportunity for you.
This program consists of 36 credit hours (12 courses and a written comprehensive exam) and may be completed in approximately two years. Students who complete the necessary coursework and Texas requirements may be eligible for Reading Specialist certification.
Student Learning Outcomes
HCU M.Ed. Reading students acquire the following student learning outcomes:
- Functional knowledge about Pedagogy and Professionalism Standards.
- Demonstration of skills and knowledge in a clinical setting
- Ability to evaluate reading curriculum
- Ability to evaluate and coach literacy instructional and assessment delivery
- Ability to design literacy curriculum and instruction across grade levels and content
The Master’s Degree in Reading Education will provide you with methods of instruction and assessment for oral language development, reading skills development, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, written language development, and other basic components of literacy. You will also be taught procedures and resources for assessing and improving a child’s reading ability. This degree will prepare you to be an integral part of the educational leadership team on any school campus.
What Can I Do With a Master of Education in Reading?
The following examples represent professional settings in which graduates with an M.Ed. in Reading may work:
- Texas Public schools
- Texas charter schools
- Private schools, both Christian and secular
- Non-profit Literacy centers
- Other state public schools with additional specific State requirements fulfilled
The following examples represent career paths graduates from an Alternative Certification Program (ACP) may pursue:
- Classroom Teacher in Texas
- Curriculum Coordinator
- Title 1 Reading Specialist
- Dyslexia Specialist
- Professional Development Provider
Admission Requirements
- Complete online forms for Graduate Admission being sure to select the M. Ed initial certification.
- Submit official transcripts from all universities and Colleges attended. All non-U.S. transcripts need to be evaluated by Spantran or Global Evaluators to be accepted. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all prospective teachers.
- Successfully interview with School of Education faculty.
- Evidence of Texas Teacher Certification
- Teaching Service Record with at least 2 years of classroom teaching experience
The Master’s Degree in Reading Education is a 36-hour graduate program. In order to obtain this degree, you do not have to be a certified teacher. Teachers in private school (who do not have to be certified), home school teachers and any other interested individual is eligible for the reading education masters program of study.
In addition to being accepted into the University Master’s of Education Program, a student must be accepted into the Educator Preparation Program which requires a 2.5 GPA at the undergraduate level, or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of university coursework.
If you are interested in obtaining a reading specialist certification (Texas), you need to be a certified teacher with two years of teaching experience in an approved, accredited elementary or secondary school district, charter school, or private school. Further, students must pass the required state certification exam in order to be certified as a Reading Specialist.
Course Requirements
Master of Education in Reading
| Course Name | Hours |
| EDRE 5301: Advanced Developmental Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 6320: Research Techniques and Procedures | 3 |
| EDRE 5304: Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| EDRE 5310: Reading and Writing for Pre-Adolescents | 3 |
| EDRE 5320: Teaching Reading through Children’s Literature | 3 |
| EDRE 5351: Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| EDRE 5352: Literacy in Secondary Schools | 3 |
| EDRE 6305: Reading: A linguistic Perspective | 3 |
| EDSP 5335: Identification and Evaluation in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ETEC 5306: Educational Applications of Technology | 3 |
| EDRE 5330: Content Area Reading | 3 |
| EDUC 6370: Critical Issues in Teaching in the Elementary School | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 |
View Degree Plan
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Master of Education with Reading Specialist Certification
To Apply
In order to apply, you must complete the online Graduate Admission forms and be sure to choose the M. Ed initial certification. All applicants submit transcripts to be evaluated, provide evidence of Texas Teacher certification, present a teaching service record of at least two years of classroom experience, and interview with faculty from the School of Education.