M.Ed. in Reading
K-12 Reading Specialist Certification
Benefits
- Graduates of the M.Ed. in Reading program are eligible for an Illinois State Board of Education K-12 Reading Specialist certificate.
- The program's late afternoon and evening course schedule allows full-time working professionals to pursue their studies while maintaining a normal work schedule.
Degree Requirements
Total Hours: 33
Practicum: Required
Comprehensive: Portfolio
Thesis: None
Length of the Program: Most students complete the program in two years. Students take two classes every semester (including two courses each summer). Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See SOE Policy: Time Limit for Degree Completion)
Program and State Requirements: Students interested in pursuing the M.Ed. in Reading must hold an Illinois teaching certificate and have two years teaching experience. In addition to satisfying all degree program requirements, policies and procedures for receiving Illinois certification must be met.
Curriculum Plan: The program requires 33 semester hours, consisting of 9 classes plus two full semester practicum experiences and a comprehensive portfolio at the end of course work.
Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in Reading are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. (See SOE Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Enrollment)
A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Associate Dean of Student Academic Services.
Required Courses (33 semester hours)
- CIEP 422 Assessing Literacy
- CIEP 424 Assessment, Diagnosis and Evaluation in Reading
- CIEP 426 Analysis of Reading Materials
- CIEP 428 Seminar: Development and Administration of Reading Programs
- CIEP 429 Children and Adolescent Literature
- CIEP 430 Practicum I
- CIEP 452 Literacy Theory and Foundations
- CIEP 453 Emergent Literacy
- CIEP 454 Writing as Literacy
- CIEP 456 Practicum II - Leadership in Reading/Professional Development
- CIEP 476 Research in the Teaching of Literacy
Clinical Experiences
Students complete a series of field experiences that prepares them to become skilled literacy educators. These experiences will be integrated within each course and within each literacy field-site experience. The self-selected action research studies, practicum and leadership training projects will provide multiple opportunities for candidates to select topics of inquiry that challenge them to improve their own literacy teaching while also improving the opportunities for teachers and students to become successful literacy teachers and learners. These field experiences will enable candidates to translate research into best literacy practice and to act with social justice in mind.
Comprehensive
A Comprehensive Portfolio is required.
Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:
Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application and fee are required for a subsequent semester.
