The M.Ed. program with 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.
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 | ||
| Students 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 | Instruction, Learning, and Assessment | 3 |
| Required Evaluation and Abilities 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 | 12 | |
Emphasis Area Requirements
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:
- Continually and systematically reflect on professional growth to enhance student learning.
- Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
- Apply advanced content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
- Extend learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
- Create and foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
- Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
- Utilize equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to expertly create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.