Reading Specialist M.S.

The Reading Specialist Program at Saint Joseph's University is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and aligned with PDE requirements for reading specialists. This graduate program offers initial Level 1 certification to candidates who do not have educational backgrounds and do not have Instructional 1 Teaching Licensure, as well as classroom teachers who already hold initial Level 1 certification. The program is fully online and tailored for students interested in obtaining a Master's as well as those who wish to get certified as Reading Specialists without a master's degree. 

  1. Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of major theoretical, conceptual, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language and the ways in which they interrelate.
  2. Candidates will design literacy curricula to meet the needs of a variety of literacy learners, especially those who experience difficulty with literacy.
  3. Candidates will design, implement, and evaluate small-group and individual evidence-based literacy instruction for learners, and collaborate with teachers to implement effective literacy practices.
  4. Candidates will understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to inform instruction, evaluate interventions, and guide teachers in their understanding and use of assessment results.
  5. Candidates will strive to enact and advance equitable literacy teaching practices and policies at the classroom, school, district, and community levels.
  6. Candidates will demonstrate the ability to be reflective literacy professionals who apply their knowledge of adult learning to work collaboratively with colleagues and advocate on behalf of teachers, students, families, and communities.
  7. Candidates will complete supervised practicum experiences that include intervention work with students and working with their peers and experienced colleagues.
Reading Component
EDU 646Language and Culture w/ Field3
EDU 671Writing in the Curriculum3
EDU 700Psychology of Literacy3
EDU 701Assess & Instr in Liter K-33
EDU 702Assess & Instr in Liter 4-123
EDU 703Literacy Research3
EDU 704Plng & Org a Literacy Program3
EDU 705Literacy Practicum (This course is for students holding Instructional 1 certificate. Students taking EDU 705 do not take EDU 769.)6
EDU 769Advanced Fieldwork in Literacy (EDU 769 is the literacy practicum for candidates obtaining Level 1 Certification. They do not take EDU 705.)6
Elective:3
Total Hours36

 PDE Chapter 49 regulation courses are required if candidates have not been completed as part of the undergraduate program: 

SPE 600Found & Current Issues: Sp Edu3
SPE 613Incl. Class Practices w/Field3