Education MEd, Reading Emphasis
The Master’s Degree in Education is an accredited program appropriate for K-12 teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.
Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.
It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.
The M.Ed. program with an emphasis in Reading (K-12 literacy) is designed to enable candidates to further their competencies as teachers of reading, writing and other communication arts. The program also prepares them for positions as literacy coaches, reading specialists, curriculum specialists, consultants in areas of communication arts, and/or for further graduate study. This program may lead to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements for Special Reading K-12 certification in Missouri.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general graduate admission requirements of the Graduate School, described in the UMSL catalog. Students are considered for admission to the graduate program in Education only after they have formally applied for admission through the Graduate School. Applications may be completed on-line.
Degree Requirements
To be recommended for Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Reading Certification K-12, teachers must have a valid Missouri teacher’s certificate, two years of approved classroom teaching experience as determined by DESE, successful completion of any required DESE assessments, and the following:
- A course(s) in child and adolescent psychology (3-6 hours)
- A course in psychology/education of exceptional child (3 hours)
- A course in reading in the content area (3 hours)
- A course in language acquisition or development specifically targeting children with special needs (3 hours)
- A course in behavior intervention strategies (3 hours)
- A course in counseling techniques (3 hours)
These certification requirements may be in addition to the courses listed in the program of study above. Students should consult their graduate advisor for information about these courses.
| Required Core | ||
| Candidates are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study: | ||
| TCH ED 6010 | Examining History, Community and Social Justice in Education | 3 |
| ED PSY 6030 | ||
| Required Evaluation of Abilities and Achievement Course | ||
| ED REM 6716 | Academic Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| Required Capstone Course | ||
| The capstone course is completed at the end of the program. | ||
| ELE ED 6482 | Problems and Research in Teaching Elementary School | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis Area
In addition to the required courses above (12 hours), candidates seeking an emphasis in Reading are required to complete the following coursework (18 hours) for a program total of 30 hours.
| ELE ED 6387 | Literacy Acquisition and Learning for Diverse Students | 3 |
| ELE ED 6684 | Instructional Strategies for Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ELE ED 6686 | Analysis and Correction of Reading Disabilities | 3 |
| ELE ED 6493 | Reading Specialist Practicum I | 3 |
| ELE ED 6494 | Reading Specialist Practicum II | 3 |
| Literacy Related Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Total: 30 hours
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism through (a) reflective practice for professional growth, (b) effective communication and collaboration, and (c) commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards.
- Evaluate, design, and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment that apply advanced understanding of (a) content and pedagogical knowledge, (b) learning science principles, and (c) equitable frameworks and inclusive practices.
- Integrate technologies to create meaningful student learning in the context of a (a) digital and (b) global society.
- Design and implement a supportive, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and emotional development of all students.
- Partner with families and communities to develop relationships and build networks of support to enhance student learning and well-being.