Master's in Reading and Reading Teacher Specialist Certificate

Provide K-12 students with life-long reading skills and strategies

Develop and improve comprehensive reading skills in students to give them future success in career and life. Reading is the foundation of academic development and your expertise can help build students confidence and academic performance. Be a part of building dynamic literacy programs and a positive attitude towards reading in students.

Credits15-30

Cost Per Credit^$715

Licenses

Earn your Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist licensure.

ONLINE PROGRAM

Online 8-week sessions at your pace to fit your schedule.

webinar

Join us for an upcoming webinar to hear about the different licensure options

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Program Overview

Our online program prepares you to be a respected and effective leader in literacy for students and teachers. This interdisciplinary program will give you the tools to teach reading at the K-12 level. You will develop the confidence and knowledge to modify current teaching methods and implement innovative reading initiatives.

Comprehensive coursework helps you develop the beliefs and practices of a literacy leader.
Learn instructional practices that are based on the science of reading.
Participate in hands-on experiences to diagnose reading difficulties and create intervention plans

A reading teacher works directly with K-12 students with varying abilities in reading. You support students as they progress through their reading goals. An individual with a current and valid teaching license and two years of teaching experience is eligible to earn a reading teacher license (WI DPI #1316).

A reading specialist is an administrative position within a school. You coach and lead teachers and support staff on reading programs and curriculums. As a leading expert in literacy, you will be expected to develop improvement plans. An individual with a master's degree and a reading teaching licensure is eligible to earn a reading specialist license (WI DPI #5017).

Overview webinar

What to Expect

You will be given a toolbox through which you can create lifelong learners and tailor literacy interventions to each student's ability. Gain insight into the relationships between speaking, listening, writing, and reading to create practices and programs that will increase the reading capabilities of students.

Online format with courses that are self-paced
8-week sessions
Rolling admissions (Upon acceptance, you can start courses at the beginning of any 8-week session.)
Complete a practicum or internship
Able to earn the reading teacher license in one year
Able to earn the reading specialist license in two years
Opportunity to earn a master's degree in 2 years

Download the pathways to licensure for both reading specialist and reading teacher.

Licensure / Certifications

#1316 Reading Teacher License (Wisconsin) #5017 Reading Specialist (Wisconsin)

Program & Licensure Requirements

Program Entrance Requirements:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
Minimum undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 for full acceptance.

For a student that wants to earn the Reading Teacher License (#1316) from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

You must hold a current and valid teaching license and have two years of teaching experience.
A teacher may start the Reading Teacher License with one year of teaching experience so that by the time they graduate they will have their two years of required teaching experience for this licensure.

For a student that wants to earn the Reading Specialist License (#5017) from the WI DPI.

You must already have your Reading Teacher License (#1316). We accept licensures from other academic institutions.
Reading Specialist candidates must have earned a Master's degree in education to be accepted into the program.
A reading specialist must earn a passing score on the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) of 233 or higher.

Eligibility for both these licensures in the Literacy program is contingent upon the following:

Cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
Satisfactory completion of appropriate reading program coursework, associated experiences, and artifacts.
Successful completion of at least two years of teaching at the PK-12 level for Reading Teacher License. (#1316)
Successful completion of six semesters of classroom experiencEs at any grade level for Reading Specialist (#5017).

The Literacy program will accept up to 15 transfer credits from another institution. This is under the discretion of the program director, Steven Witt.

Contact admissions with any questions related to these requirements.

Graduate Application Steps

Entrance requirements

An awarded bachelor's degree from an accredited higher-education institution
The Literacy program has a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00. (Students below a 3.00 may still be reviewed for consideration.)

Admissions process for graduate school

Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Select the Graduate option
One page essay which should include the following:
- Reason for obtaining a graduate degree
- What are your career goals
- Why are you choosing to pursue your degree at Concordia University
Current résumé of your education and employment experience
Two letters of recommendation using this Recommendation Form
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

When your application is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.

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Accepted into the program

An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID number
An email from your Admissions Counselor will be sent to you with Next-Step details
Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you access to Blackboard, your Concordia email account, and your student portal
Academic Advising Appointment: Once admitted, you may schedule to meet with your Academic & Career Advisor who will review your degree plan, discuss orientation steps, the CUW student portal, and assist with registering for classes

Please note:

Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE, are not required
If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information
Uncommon Scholarships: If you meet qualifications, please complete an application Uncommon Scholarship

Non-Degree Students

This is for students seeking a certification, licensure, or an individual course.

Please complete an application at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Select the Non-Degree option
For certificates and licensures, submit the same documents as degree-seeking applicants
For an individual course, only submit official transcripts for review with your application

Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

Sid Larson
MA

Adjunct Professor

Steven Witt
Ph.D.

Program Director - Graduate Education, Professor

INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS

Join Dr. Steven Witt, Program Director, and other literacy faculty as they provide information on how to earn the reading specialist or reading teacher licensures.

Blogs on Literacy Degrees

Get more detailed information about earning your reading specialist or reading teacher licensure. And stay current on the latest news in the literacy field.

Master of Science in Education - Literacy - Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist Licensures (DPI #1316 & DPI #5017)