Reading Education

DEGREE: MASTER OF ARTS 30 hours

Program Objectives

This program prepares educators for reading specialist certification. This program will enable candidates to

• strengthen foundational knowledge of reading and writing processes
• apply varied instructional practices, methods, and curriculum materials to literacy instruction
• use assessment to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction
• create literate environments that foster literacy instruction
• view professional development in reading as career-long effort

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for the Illinois Standard Special Certificate in reading (K-12) Type 10, students must meet the following requirements:

• complete the Reading Education Program
• pass all State of Illinois examinations
• successfully complete two years of teaching experience
• complete the Capstone Experience

Program Prerequisites

To facilitate success in the program, students must have the following foundational coursework in place prior to taking courses toward their Reading program:

• One course in Children's Literature or its equivalent
• PSY-4410 Psychology and Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner or its equivalent
• State certified teaching certificate

Areas of Study

• Core Courses (30 hours)
• EDU-6200 Beginning Reading Instruction (prerequisite to EDU-6225 and EDU-6226)
• EDU-6210 Studies in Elementary School Reading (prerequisite to EDU-6225 and EDU-6226)
• EDU-6225 Diagnosis of Reading Problems(prerequisite to EDU-6295 and EDU-6296)
• EDU-6226 Remediation of Reading Problems (prerequisite to EDU-6295 and EDU-6296)
• EDU-6230 Content Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools
• EDU-6295 Practicum in Reading Instruction (Practicum I/16-weeks)
• EDU-6296 Practicum in Remedial Reading (Practicum II)
• EDU-6205 Research in Language and Reading Theory
• EDU-6300 Research in Children's Literature
• EDU-6290 Roles, Relationships, and Ethics of the Reading Professional
• Master's Capstone Experience
• A master's capstone is a requirement for the Master of Arts in Reading. Choose option #7: Standards-Based Portfolio.

State of Illinois Reading Teacher Designation

Of the 30 semester hours required for the Masters in Reading, the following courses are needed for a State of Illinois Reading Teacher Designation (24 hours):

• EDU-6200 Beginning Reading Instruction (prerequisite to EDU-6225 and EDU-6226)
• EDU-6205 Research in Reading and Language Theory
• EDU-6210 Studies in Elementary School Reading (prerequisite to EDU-6225 and EDU-6226)
• EDU-6225 Diagnosis of Reading Problems
• EDU-6226 Remediation of Reading Problems
• EDU-6230 Content Reading in Middle and Secondary Schools
• EDU-6295 Practicum in Reading Instruction
• EDU-6300 Research in Children’s Literature