Online Reading Elementary Education Degree :: Accredited Universities

As the paradigm shifts and standards become more rigorous in school districts across the nation, elementary literacy and reading quality falls into the spotlight. Educational success in the classroom reflects on the depth of instruction within the lines of the regulatory framework.

With a focus on literacy coaches and reading specialists who empower classroom teachers as leaders and interventionists, GCU‛s online M.A. in reading for elementary education aligns with the standards of the International Reading Association, a global network committed to literacy.

Graduates of the program may seek a reading endorsement but requirements do vary for each state.

In about 17 months, the 32-credit online advance practice reading program offers licensed teachers and educators a deep focus in elementary literacy strategies that improve reading and comprehension in a K-8 classroom. It captures the highly relational learner's perspective in the 21st century.

Through observational and practice-based experiences, the M.A. in reading provides the application of theory and educational best practices to effectively deliver curriculum, instruction and assessment. With a strong foundation in corrective reading strategies, it explores reading deficiencies and diagnosis.

The program dissects a growing body of knowledge on the application of brain research in classroom practice that impacts curricular, instructional and assessment decisions of teachers each day. From neuroscience to the behavioral and cognitive sciences, it examines the intricacies of the mind as it relates to teaching and learning.

The curriculum develops leadership and coaching within the scope of improved literacy in collaborative settings. It surveys a variety of assessment tools, instructional approaches and effective communication techniques for optimized learning. Candidates engage in advanced studies at the building and district level that inspire the creation of literate environments and support literacy across content areas.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to university graduate programs may be accepted for admission by meeting one of the criteria specified below:

Degree Bearing Transcripts
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An undergraduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program with a GPA of 2.8 or better on the degree-bearing transcript

OR

A graduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program

Test Scores
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If students cannot meet the GPA requirement, they may still be eligible for admission by meeting certain graduate test scores:
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): 500
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 1,000 combined verbal/quantitative, prior to August 2011; 300 combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011

Other Fees

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Develop the skills you need to help children in grades K-12 overcome reading difficulties with the online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Reading program at Southern New Hampshire University. This advanced degree program, also available at our Manchester, N.H., campus, gives you in-depth knowledge of literacy issues and insight into specialized support and diagnostic procedures for students with reading issues.

Encouraging your students to explore methods of reading, writing, listening, and speaking development in the early elementary grades is essential to a successful classroom environment. When you have students with unique literacy needs, diverse teaching instruction can be critical to their success.

Whether taken on campus or online, the Curriculum and Instruction MEd with a concentration in Reading includes 11 courses, three of which comprise the Reading concentration.

This degree is ideal for licensed teachers seeking an additional endorsement. This program does not lead to initial licensure.

Students enrolled in the on campus and online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading concentration program may be eligible for New Hampshire certification as a curriculum administrator or may elect to not seek state certification. If you are interested in obtaining state certification outside of New Hampshire, check with your state’s Department of Education to ensure New Hampshire certification is recognized in your home state.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or should anticipate completion of a bachelor's degree before enrollment in the graduate program.

International applicants
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- Applicants should have the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree

- Applicants will require the equivalent of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale for admission consideration.

- Applicants who have some master’s level academic work may be eligible for transfer credits or exemptions.

- Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency as evidenced by: TOEFL score 79-80 and greater, IELTS 6.5 and greater, PPTE 54 and greater, ELS 107 and greater, Michigan 90 and greater. It is recommended that you have TOEFL and IELTS results sent directly to SNHU to avoid delays. SNHU’s TOEFL code is 3649. The TOIEC examination is not accepted.

- English Bridge Applicants with the following scores will start in a bridge program combining English courses and academic courses: TOEFL 71-78, IELTS 6, PTE 49-53, ELS 112, EF 106, Michigan 85-89. English as a Second Language (ESL): Students with scores of TOEFL less than 71, IELTS less than 6.0, PTE less than 48, ELS less than 112, EF less than 106, and Michigan less than 85, can register and attend English as a Second Language (ESL) program

Other Fees

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The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education is designed for licensed K-8 educators who want to focus on elementary literacy strategies in order to improve the reading abilities of their students. Some individuals who pursue this curriculum and instruction master‛s program are interested in becoming a reading coach or a reading intervention specialist.

Students in this program learn to apply theory and educational best practices to the delivery of curriculum, instruction and assessment in order to improve the reading abilities and reading comprehension of their students. The curriculum and instruction master‛s courses are aligned to the International Reading Association standards.

Students are provided with the foundation needed to diagnose and assess reading deficiencies and corrective reading strategies. Students will also learn how to develop and implement corrective reading plans and analyze the results. Past trends and the evolution of reading instruction are also explored. Other topics of focus include: foundational theory and research, children and young adult literature, developmental learning and assessments, corrective reading assessment, and instructional leadership and literacy coaching. In addition, there is a focus on elementary reading and writing and a study on the use of textbooks, trade books, literature and electronic texts that are relevant in every elementary content area. Students also learn how to use the various genres and delivery methods (paper and digital) to meet literacy goals.

An Elementary Practicum is included in this curriculum and instruction master‛s program, which provides an in-depth study of the International Reading Association (IRA) Standards by examining research-based approaches linking assessment and instruction for elementary teachers. Teachers learn to use a wide range of formal and informal assessment tools and methods to diagnose and assess reading and writing development, instruction and assessment.

Geared toward individuals who are already licensed as teachers, this curriculum and instruction master‛s program does not lead to licensure but may lead to career advancement. Program applicants must submit a copy of a current teaching license or provide evidence of a minimum of one year of teaching experience. In addition, it is essential for students to have access to a K-12 classroom to complete the program assignments.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to university graduate programs may be accepted for admission by meeting one of the criteria specified below:

Degree Bearing Transcripts
-------------------------------------

An undergraduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program with a GPA of 2.8 or better on the degree-bearing transcript

OR

A graduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program

Test Scores
----------------

If students cannot meet the GPA requirement, they may still be eligible for admission by meeting certain graduate test scores:
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): 500
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 1,000 combined verbal/quantitative, prior to August 2011; 300 combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011

Other Fees

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The newly designed Master of Science in Education (MSE) offered through the Department of Advanced Education Programs has a core of 18 credit hours infused with the educational philosophy and strategies associated with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This core also supports the goal of preparing candidates for instructional leadership roles at the elementary, middle school or secondary level. In your program of study, you may choose a 15-18 credit-hour area of emphasis in areas like ESOL, library media specialist or reading specialist. The emphasis areas may lead to an endorsement or a program of professional improvement.

An action research project conducted in a school environment is required of all MSE candidates.

Entry Requirements

- Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

-Show a minimum grade point average of 2.50 (C plus) on the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit. (Departments may have a higher minimum grade point requirement average, so an applicant must check departmental admission requirements.)

- Have adequate preparation in the area of specialization in the area of proposed study

International Applicants
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You as an international student must meet minimum English proficiency requirements before beginning coursework at Fort Hays State University.

TOEFL (paper-based version) - 550 +
TOEFL (computer-based version) - 213 +
TOEFL (internet-based version) - 79 +
IELTS - 6.5 +
iTEP - 5

Other Fees

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The Master of Education in Elementary Education (Eligible for Institutional Recommendation/Credential) is designed for individuals seeking initial teaching licensure in elementary or middle school education. The format and courses of this Arizona-approved program are tailored to meet the needs of the adult learner and to maximize the content knowledge that the teacher candidate will possess upon graduation. Graduates of the Masters in Elementary Education program are prepared to become informed educators in public and private schools and other settings requiring a teaching license. In this program, teacher candidates study topics such as: Philosophical and social issues in education; educational psychology and human development; classroom engagement and management; educating students with diverse needs; English as a second language; structured English immersion; prescriptive reading and assessment; and curriculum, assessment and methods for teaching the content areas of English language arts, math, science, health, social studies and the arts. All courses are directly aligned with specialized professional teaching standards and the associated national content standards. Students must have access to a grade 1-8 classroom to complete assignments within many of the courses which guide teacher candidates through more than 100 hours of observational and practice-based experiences. The final semester of the Masters in Elementary Education program includes a full-time, 15 week student teaching component. Teacher candidates are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to university graduate programs may be accepted for admission by meeting one of the criteria specified below:

Degree Bearing Transcripts
-------------------------------------

An undergraduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program with a GPA of 2.8 or better on the degree-bearing transcript

OR

A graduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program

Test Scores
----------------

If students cannot meet the GPA requirement, they may still be eligible for admission by meeting certain graduate test scores:
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): 500
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 1,000 combined verbal/quantitative, prior to August 2011; 300 combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011

Other Fees

Show Less