Program Overview

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M.Ed. in Literacy Program

The University of Delaware's fully online and flexible M.Ed. in Literacy program prepares current teachers and educators for certification as a Reading/Literacy specialist. Taught by a team of distinguished faculty, students develop knowledge of the theoretical and evidenced foundations of reading and writing development, plan culturally and linguistically relevant literacy instruction for all students, and support students and teachers in the use of digital literacy tools.

Program Structure and Experiences

This degree program is designed for practicing teachers and educators. The program is fully online, part-time, and consists of 30 credits (10 classes) completed over 2 years, with 7-week courses.

• Learn within a fully-online and flexible environment
  • Develop knowledge of the theoretical and evidenced foundations of reading and writing development
  • Plan culturally and linguistically relevant literacy instruction for all students
  • Plan and deliver targeted literacy instruction to both English learners and native English speakers in responsive ways
  • Support students and teachers in the use of digital literacy tools
  • Engage with colleagues and school leaders to design and participate in relevant professional development
  • Prepare for certification as a Reading/Literacy Specialist

Program Requirements

The online program is designed to allow students to learn through application. Students will be asked to apply their classroom content in an educational setting, assessing and instructing K-12 students using a variety of methods and strategies. They will also be asked to engage in coaching and mentoring opportunities. Student work must be documented with video and submitted to course instructors for review.

Required Courses

The M.Ed. in Literacy requires 30 credits of graduate-level coursework, with no electives. The required coursework includes:

• EDUC601 Language Development in the Classroom (3 credits)
• EDUC 604 Teaching Writing in the Elementary School (3 credits)
• EDUC 608 Literacy Assessment and Instruction I (3 credits)
• EDUC 609 Literacy Assessment and Instruction II (3 credits)
• EDUC 622 The Role of Literacy in Content Areas (3 credits)
• EDUC 630 Supervised Reading Clinic: I (3 credits)
• EDUC 631 Organization and Supervision of Literacy Programs (3 credits)
• EDUC 762 Digital Literacies (3 credits)
• EDUC 763 Supervised Reading Clinic: II (3 credits)
• EDUC 740 Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners (3 credits)

Required Exam

Prior to exit from the program, all candidates are required to earn a passing score of at least 165 on the Praxis II Reading Specialist exam (#5302) as mandated by the Delaware Department of Education certification requirements for Reading Specialists.

Required Technology

Technology plays a vital role in the M.Ed. in Literacy program. Candidates will use technology to communicate with instructors, collaborate with peers, document school-based instruction, and submit assignments. Students are responsible for ensuring access to the following:

• DSL or Broadband Internet connection
• Mac or Windows personal computer with up-to-date antivirus software
• Digital Video Camera or WebCam
• Internal or external microphone
• Sound card with speakers
• Scanner
• Flash Player
• Microsoft Power Point
• Microsoft Word
• Adobe Reader
• UD email
• Adobe Connect
• Canvas

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the university requirements for graduate students and complete the University of Delaware's online application. Requirements specific to this program include:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Transcripts showing an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses completed (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to assess the applicant's academic potential
• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose primary language is not English
• Three written, 500-word essays responding to specific prompts
• Demonstrated knowledge of the teaching of oral language, reading, and writing through previous coursework and teaching
• Preference given to applicants with initial teaching certification and classroom teaching experience
• Students must have 3 years of teaching experience by the time they seek certification as a Reading/Literacy Specialist
• Prior to enrolling, students who teach outside of the state of Delaware are responsible for verifying their state licensing board's requirements to determine if the UD M.Ed. in Literacy program meets their state's requirements for reading/literacy specialist certification

Application Deadlines

• Applications for Fall are due August 15
• Applications for Spring A are due January 23
• Applications for Spring B are due March 25
• Applications for Summer are due May 27

Program Faculty

The M.Ed. in Literacy program is taught by full-time faculty in the School of Education, who are renowned in their field for both teaching and research. The faculty includes:

• Steve Amendum
• Christina M. Budde
• David Coker
• Rachel Karchmer-Klein
• William Lewis
• Adrian Pasquarella
• Sharon Walpole