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Reading Education (CITE)
Master in Education (M.S.Ed.)

Program Description:

The M.S.Ed in Reading Education is designed to prepare certified teachers to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s criteria for reading specialists and the International Reading Association standards for reading professionals and literacy coaches. The program offers students a chance to develop a solid theoretical and research foundation in language and literacy processes; opportunities to learn numerous methods of assessment, instruction, and curriculum design; ways to consider the capacities and needs of diverse learners, approaches to implementing collaborative planning and professional development, and plenty of occasions for students to put what they’ve learned into practice. This program will position its graduates to become certified reading specialists qualified to work in K-12 schools, community-based literacy programs, and private practice.

Program Requirements:

Successful completion of the M.S.Ed. in Reading Education includes 36 semester hours of coursework (including 6 units of clinical field work), and the compilation of a capstone professional portfolio. The professional portfolio presents a vehicle for weaving the individualized experiences students have in their own classrooms with their course work. The portfolio is designed to include assignments that were completed in the program’s courses as well as work that was done in students’ own schools.

The program is designed to be part-time as the vast majority of students are also practicing teachers. Students typically take 1-2 courses each semester and the six-credit Instructional Practicum in the summer semester closest to their planned graduation. On average, the degree is completed in 3-4 years. All requirements must be met within five years of admission. (Refer to the Graduate Bulletin and Student Handbook [pdf] for additional descriptions of Temple University and the College of Education’s policies and procedures for graduate study.)

Upon completion of the degree, students wishing to obtain a reading specialist certification must apply to their appropriate State Department of Education. States such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey also require a passing score on the Reading Specialist portion of the Praxis II examination. The Office of Student Services assists students with the certification process.

Required Core Courses:

Foundations (6 credits). The program requires two courses that focus on developing foundational knowledge in both reading and writing.

  • Foundational Theories and Research in Reading (ED 8278)
  • Foundational Theories and Research in Writing (ED 8279)

Diagnosis (3 credits). The program requires one course focusing on understanding students’ reading and writing strengths and weaknesses: Practicum: Introduction to Diagnosis (EDUC 9587)

Instructional methods (9 Credits). The program requires at least three courses focusing on instructional methods. Students should select courses to give them experience from emergent literacy to adolescent literacy. The methods sequence requires advisor’s written approval. Appropriate courses include, but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Seminar in Early Childhood Literacy Education (ECH ED 5370)
  • Teaching Literacy in Elementary School (EDUC 5204)
  • Teaching Composition in the Secondary School (ENG ED 5641)
  • Teaching Literature in the Secondary School (ENG ED 5642)

Materials (3 credits). The program requires one course that focuses specifically on instructional materials: Literature for Elementary School Children (EN ED 8602). Those who have taken a course in children’s literature may, with the written approval of their advisor, take a course focusing on different materials. Students can consider courses in adolescent literature, film, or educational technology.

Special populations (3 credits). Issues relating to teaching culturally, educationally, and linguistically diverse students are woven into courses throughout the program. Students are required to take one course whose primary focus is on the teaching and learning of a special population of students:
Teaching Reading and Language Arts to Students with Special Needs (EDUC 5259). With the written approval of their advisor, students could choose to take a different course that focuses on teaching diverse students. This course might be in urban education, TESOL, or special education.

Reading in the content areas (3 credits). Students are required to take either: Reading Problems in the Secondary School (SEC ED 5471) or a course in a content area, for example, career and technical education, foreign language, math, science, social studies, and TESOL. Students must get their advisor’s written approval for their course selection.

Curriculum (3 credits). Students are required to take one course that focuses on understanding and evaluating curricula and engages them in thinking about how to work with colleagues on implementing curricula: Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in Education (ED 5212). With the written approval of their advisor, students could choose to take a different course that focuses on curriculum.

Field experience (6 credits). Students must complete a 100 hour clinical experience. This experience engages students in working with peers in the Reading Program to assess students’ needs, to plan appropriate, effective, and engaging instruction, to select appropriate instructional materials, and to communicate about their work to parents. The field experience is offered at an area school during the summer: Instructional Practicum: Corrective/Remedial Reading (EDUC 9287 & 9288)

Admissions Requirements:

Candidates for the Reading Specialist Program must be certified teachers with at least one year of successful teaching experience prior to admission to the program.  Applicants must meet the existing admissions requirements for Master of Science programs, which include a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA and scores on the Miller Analogy Test or Graduate Record Examination at or above the Department’s benchmarks.

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed Graduate School Online Application;
  • A resume
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and graduate schools attended
  • MAT or GRE scores (taken within the last 5 years)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A goal statement that outlines professional interests. 

Students are allowed to take up to 9 semester hours prior to official acceptance in the program. In addition, up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit can be transferred into the program from another university provided they are recent, relevant, fit into the program requirements, and meet the approval of the advisor. A “B” grade or higher is required in any course considered for transfer credit.

Application Deadlines

For priority consideration, it is suggested you submit your application by the following deadlines. Submitting later than the suggested deadlines may delay the start of your program into the following semester. 

  • For Fall admission: April 1
  • For Spring admission: November 1st.

Contact Information:

For inquiries or more information about this program contact:

Dr. Wanda Brooks
email: wbrooks@temple.edu
phone: (215) 204-3344
office: Ritter Hall, RM 449


Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology in Education
College of Education, Temple University
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122