Program Overview

Master of Education Degree in Dyslexia Therapy

The Master of Education Degree in Dyslexia Therapy is an innovative program offered by the University of Southern Mississippi. It is the first such degree offered by a Mississippi public university and is available fully online.

Program Overview

• The program began in May 2014, with new cohorts starting each summer.
• It is a 30-semester-hour master's degree program, including a practicum component.
• The program results in a Master of Education degree.
• The methodology taught is the scientifically based DuBard Association Method, which is Orton-Gillingham based in content and principles of instruction.

Admission Criteria

• Eligible applicants must have a teaching license and/or a bachelor's degree in education, speech and hearing sciences, or a related field.
• The program is a collaboration between the School of Education and the DuBard School for Language Disorders in the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences.

Accreditation

• The DuBard School Professional Development program has been accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) since 1998.
• The program is also accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) for meeting their Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.

Program Delivery

• The degree program is delivered fully online.
• The practicum may be completed on the Southern Miss campus and at other sites, such as the graduate student's work site, with supervision provided live and/or by virtual technology.

Faculty and Instruction

• All instructors are highly qualified and hold a Ph.D., Ed.D., CALT-QI (Certified Academic Language Therapist, Qualified Instructor), or combinations of these credentials.
• They are experts in dyslexia and hold credentials in literacy, communication disorders, learning disabilities, related disorders, elementary education, special education, and school administration.

Career Opportunities

• Mississippi graduates may be eligible for the MDE Educator Licensure endorsement #203 for dyslexia therapy.
• Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) Competency Exam for Multisensory Structured Language Education, which, when successfully completed, will lead to eligibility for the Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) national credential and membership in ALTA.

Application Process

• Applications are typically due by April 1 for the following school year, but interested individuals are encouraged to apply early, as space and scholarships are limited.
• Applicants will need to provide:
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Official reports of test scores (GRE or Praxis)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Application fee
  • Letter of intent stating professional goals and reasons for pursuing the degree
  • Professional vita (resume)
  • Copy of all current teaching licenses (if applicable)