Location:

Kutztown, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Reading & Literacy

Program Overview

Program Description:

This Graduate Reading Program is designed to lead to a Master of Education degree and Reading Specialist certification. The goals of the program are twofold. First, it is intended to prepare reading specialists/literacy coaches who can plan, implement, and maintain a developmental instructional program. Second, it provides teachers with the ability to recognize and to work effectively with learners who have varying degrees of difficulty in reading, or who have other learning problems. The focus of the program is both preventive and corrective. In order to achieve this, the program includes a combination of theoretical and practical experiences and activities. Applicants who hold a valid Pennsylvania (PA) Instructional I or II Certificate, have taken the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam and successfully completed all required reading education and degree requirements will be issued a Master of Education degree. Those who have passed the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam and have met the preceding requirements will be recommended to the PA Department of Education for Reading Specialist certification. Reading Specialist Certification (Available to those who already hold a Master of Education degree and seek Reading Specialist certification) Requirements: • Valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate* • 24 credit hours; • Comprehensive Program Portfolio; • Praxis Reading Specialist Exam *Applicants who hold out-of-state certification or invalid PA certificates, may be admitted conditionally, but will not be able to complete the program until they hold a valid PA Instructional I certificate. This Graduate Reading Program is designed to lead to Reading Specialist certification. The program of study will prepare reading specialists/literacy coaches who can plan, implement, and maintain on-going instructional programs in literacy. Additionally, it provides teachers with the ability to recognize and work effectively with learners who have varying degrees of success in reading and learning. Applicants who hold a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Certificate, have a Master in Education Degree, successfully completed all required reading education courses, and take and pass the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam will be recommended to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification. Program Completion: All students accepted into the programs described above must complete all requirements within six (6) calendar years. Program Requirements I. Required Coursework(24 hours) • Foundation Level Courses (15 hours) o EDU 502 Seminar in Educational and Psychological Research Pertinent to Reading o EDU 551 Principles of Reading Instruction o EDU 552 Teaching Reading in the Content Area o EDU 555 Reading Disabilities o EDU 557 Foundations of Reading Comprehension • Application Level Courses (9 hours) o EDU 575 Clinical Practicum in Reading : Diagnosis (PREREQUISITES: all Foundation Level courses) o EDU 576 Practicum in Reading Instruction: Corrective and Remedial (PREREQUISITES : EDU 575 and admission to candidacy) o EDU 577 Leadership for Reading Educators (PREREQUISITES: all Foundation Level courses) NOTE: EDU 575 and EDU 577 may only be taken in the same semester with permission of the Graduate Reading Committee. II. Required Electives (12 hours) Candidates are advised to select electives that will benefit them as reading specialists/literacy coaches. Courses related to diversity, children's literature, writing instruction, curriculum, and technology are highly recommended. Courses in other areas may be taken in consultation with their advisors. Please know that EDW courses will not count as electives in the Program. III. Comprehensive Program Portfolio: As a summative evaluation, a comprehensive program portfolio is required. The portfolio will reflect the professional standards of the International Reading Association. Candidates must have completed all their reading courses or be enrolled in their final reading course in order to present their comprehensive portfolios. Presentations will be made to graduate reading faculty three times during the year : in April (May graduation); June (August graduation); and November (December graduation). The Comprehensive Program Portfolio task and scoring guide were authored by Dr. Sandy Chambers and Dr. Mary Laub and reviewed and approved by the Graduate Reading Committee, plus recognized by the International Reading Association and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiners. IV. Completion of Reading Specialist Praxis Exam: In order to graduate, all candidates must take the Reading Specialist Praxis Exam and have official cores on file at Kutztown University. In order to receive reading specialist certification, candidates must pass the Reading Specialist Praxis Exam.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

-

Financial Aid:

Yes