Master of Education in Literacy with a concentration in Reading Specialist online
Expand your knowledge about literacy and prepare for the New Jersey Reading Specialist endorsement.
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Program Overview
See how our online MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist can benefit you
$18,736.50
Total Tuition
10-20 months
Duration
30*
Credit Hours
Help children of all ages become successful adults by ensuring they have the necessary reading and writing skills with the online Master of Education in Literacy with a concentration in Reading Specialist from William Paterson University. Developed using the standards of the International Literacy Association, this program with 100 percent online coursework will prepare you for the online Reading Specialist certification in New Jersey (Endorsement 3310).
Discover how to establish an effective literacy program by mastering literacy and curriculum design for children, adolescents, and adults. Develop the expertise to diagnose and prescribe remediation solutions for struggling readers who have difficulties at different levels. Learn from dedicated faculty, including two Fulbright Scholars, and receive direct experience during the clinical part of this program.
As a graduate of this online education master’s, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language and use this knowledge to evaluate and implement literacy curricula and evidence-based literacy instruction for all learners
- Understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement; inform instruction and evaluate interventions; participate in professional learning experiences; explain assessment results and advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders
- Demonstrate knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity and apply this knowledge to your classrooms, schools, district, and community
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners; integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways; and foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment
- Recognize the importance of participating in and facilitating ongoing professional learning as part of career-long leadership roles and responsibilities
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language and use this knowledge to evaluate and implement literacy curricula and evidence-based literacy instruction for all learners
- Understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement; inform instruction and evaluate interventions; participate in professional learning experiences; explain assessment results and advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders
- Demonstrate knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity and apply this knowledge to your classrooms, schools, district, and community
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners; integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways; and foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment
- Recognize the importance of participating in and facilitating ongoing professional learning as part of career-long leadership roles and responsibilities
Upon completion of the online MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist, you will be prepared for a wide range of roles, including:
- Tutor for Adult Readers
- Teacher of Remedial Reading
- Reading Consultant
- Tutor for Adult Readers
- Teacher of Remedial Reading
- Reading Consultant
Also Available:
WP Online offers a diverse range of education programs. Explore all our online education programs.
$18,736.50
Total Tuition
As few as 10-20 months
Duration
30
Credit Hours
The College of Education at William Paterson University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
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Tuition
Our tuition is reasonable, and you can pay as you go
The William Paterson University College of Education offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to all our online students, wherever they reside. All fees are included in the total tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
$18,736.50
Total Tuition
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist | $624.55 | $1,873.65 | $18,736.50 |
Tuition breakdown:
$18,736.50
Total Tuition
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Find the apply and start dates that fit your schedule
William Paterson University online education programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, with 7-week courses and six start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/27/25 | 1/5/25 | 1/8/25 | 1/17/25 | 1/22/25 | 3/16/25 | 7 weeks |
| Spring II | 3/24/25 | 3/2/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/11/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer I | 5/19/25 | 4/27/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/14/25 | 7/6/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer II | 7/14/25 | 6/22/25 | 6/24/25 | 7/3/25 | 7/9/25 | 8/31/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall I | 9/8/25 | 8/17/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/29/25 | 9/3/25 | 10/26/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall II | 11/3/25 | 10/12/25 | 10/15/25 | 10/24/25 | 10/29/25 | 12/21/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
You can apply online—start here to find out what’s needed for the MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist program
At William Paterson University, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
The requirements include:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited university
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
- No GRE required for admission
You must meet the following requirements for admission to this MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- CEAS or Standard teaching certificate
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
William Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
Courses
Explore the courses in your online MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist
For the MEd in Literacy – Reading Specialist online program, you must complete a total of 30 credit hours.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course provides a historical perspective on theory and practice in the teaching of reading as well as a survey of current research, theory, and practice related to reading acquisition and reading processes from the perspective of developmental and cognitive psychology, social constructivism, and linguistic and cultural influences.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This graduate course includes the advanced study of reading and writing, structured literacy, and methodology that incorporates multisensory instructional approaches for prospective literacy specialists to work with P-12 learners. Particular emphasis will be given to learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Teaching and learning processes that foster respect for all learners and promote their success will be explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course focuses on a new definition of children’s literacy. Through personal and shared inquiry, multiple literacies (including media, intertextual, and visual literacies) are examined in the context of children’s literacy development, literacy curriculum design and development, state and national standards, current research and theory, and classroom practices and materials. Critical issues including the digital divide, politics and literacy, parents and appropriate technology use, and gender and ethnic bias are explored. This course meets 3 credits toward the Supervisor’s Certificate.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course focuses on creating a new definition of adolescent and adult literacy. Current literacy research, theory, curriculum design, development, materials, and teaching practices for adolescents and adults using various print media including multimedia are explored. Through personal and shared inquiry, multiple literacies—including media, intertextual, visual, and critical literacies—are examined. Particular attention is given to the areas of study skills, selection of appropriate materials, comprehension problems, reading and writing programs, and the development of lifelong literacy habits. Critical issues including the grey digital divide, censorship, politics and literacy, and plagiarism and Web quests are explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course will provide the prospective reading specialist with the background, knowledge, strategies, and skills necessary for diagnosing and prescribing for the remediation of problem readers. Basic to any diagnosis are a thorough understanding of students, their individual differences, the reading processes, and the reasons children have problems. Prospective specialists will work with students and develop a case study through interviews, observations, reading and writing samples, and formal and informal measures. All of the above measures will be utilized to obtain an accurate and objective assessment of the client’s performance. The information gained will be examined and studied for the specific purpose of planning, developing, and executing an individual educational, remedial program for the reader with difficulties.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course is concerned with methodology, strategies, and skills in developmental and remedial reading programs. The reading/writing process is examined in depth from its earliest stages through secondary school so those graduate students acquire the background and knowledge to work with readers who have problems at different levels. In planning specific remedial sessions, graduate students study the data collected for each client from CIRL 620. Students also focus on child development, the environment, the family background, language, culture, and the child’s strengths and weaknesses. Students then plan, develop, and execute remediation sessions based on their findings and specific needs of the client. Through clinical sessions, shared discussions, literacy circles, outside readings, research, audiovisual tapes, and modeling, graduate students also study the problems faced by disabled readers. Focus is on planning and executing effective remedial sessions for improving the client’s literacy skills
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course continues to develop reading specialists who are decision-makers and problem-solvers. Students have the opportunity to grow professionally and become more knowledgeable about reading, writing, and oral language processes through readings, conversations with colleagues, viewing each others’ classrooms, and reflections on practicum teaching and research experiences. Students begin a classroom inquiry project that develops into their master’s thesis. Prerequisite(s): ELRL 6200 AND ELRL 6210
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This graduate course is designed to study various process models for developing, implementing, and evaluating K-12 reading programs. By examining the roles of classroom teachers, reading specialists, reading supervisors, staff developers, and principals, students will understand how personnel responsibilities affect program development. Students will apply this understanding to their evaluation of the total reading program in one school system. Prerequisite(s): ELRL 6200 AND ELRL 6210
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course will focus on research, literature and current issues of literacy and content area instruction for K-12 English Language Learners (ELLs). The course will emphasize instructional strategies and techniques in literacy and content area instruction for students who are at the beginning or intermediate stages of English language acquisition. This course is designed for reading specialists, graduate students in education, and in-service teachers who have ELLs in their classrooms (not for ESL majors). Practical, hands-on ideas as well as theory will be covered. Effective integration of multicultural literature and multilingual materials to enhance ELLs’ reading and writing across the curriculum will also be addressed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
An investigation of literacy and content print and nonprint media. Considers questions related to materials, language sources, modern programs, instructional systems, and organizational arrangements appropriate for use in today’s classrooms and alternative settings. Special attention is given to the preparation of teacher, parent, and librarian guides to literature; adaptation of materials for children and youth; and analysis of recent research studies.
*Students without pre-requisite foundation courses may require additional credits.
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