Master of Education Degree in Reading Education
The M.Ed. in Reading Education program is designed to complement and support the mission of Jacksonville University and the School of Education by preparing highly-qualified teachers of reading to successfully learn, achieve, lead, and serve children, parents, teachers, and administrators in the area of reading education. Emphasis will focus on working with struggling readers, adolescent learners, urban literacy issues, and various uses of digital technologies to better engage today's students in school and out of school literary experiences. Size of the program and courses will remain small to provide personalized and collaborative experiences underpinned in constructivist principles.
The study of reading education prepares highly qualified teachers of reading to critique and synthesize reading theory, apply diagnostic assessments, and incorporate instructional practices into curricular programs to enrich K-12 literacy experiences. The Master of Education Degree in Reading Education program prepares educators to work with struggling readers, adolescent learners, and special needs students, to respond to urban literacy issues, and to use various digital technologies to engage today's students. Graduates of this program will be prepared to take on leadership roles and positions in the area of reading education in their communities and school districts.
The hybrid M.Ed. in Reading Education offers full-time graduate study during eight-week sessions (6-credits fall, 6-credits spring, 6-credits summer) for a total of 30-credits to be completed in two years. The program is designed for K-12 teachers, school literacy coaches, reading interventionists, administrators, district leaders, supervisors, charter and private school teachers, and other educators interested in earning a graduate degree in reading education through an online format. The program is selective and limits enrollment to 20 students per year. Students selected for the program demonstrate a commitment to the profession of education and show promise to make positive differences in the field of reading education.
The curriculum consists of a rigorous sequence of courses framed in theoretical and practical experiences to deepen understandings of the cognitive foundations of reading, administration and analysis of reading assessments, reading disabilities, and differentiated literacy instruction. Students demonstrate proficiency during two supervised reading practicums.
Unique to the program is a hybrid format utilizing a coaching model that brings immediate change to practice. Across the program, students in the M.Ed. in Reading Education program will tutor
children in the JU Reading Center in the areas of reading and writing, applying the concepts learned through coursework. Instructors will observe, model, and provide immediate feedback throughout the tutoring experiences. The hybrid degree in reading education best prepares educators who are seeking a hands-on teaching and active learning approach.
The M.Ed. in Reading Education curriculum is grounded in the Florida State Board of Education specialization requirements for certification in reading grades K-12. The program offers three levels of study:
- Reading Endorsement: successful completion of the first three semesters (15-credits) qualifies students to add a reading endorsement to the State of Florida Professional Certificate;
- M.Ed. in Reading Education: successful completion of the full program (30-credits) and a passing score on the state of Florida Reading Subject Areas exam qualifies students to add the Florida Reading Certification to Professional Certificate.
- Per approval by program director, graduates of teacher education programs with a reading endorsement (required courses on transcripts) qualify to add a Florida Reading Certification to a Professional Certificate after successful completion of the second year of the program and passing score on the state of Florida Reading Subject Area exam.
A new cohort starts the program annually in August.
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of required courses
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Passing score on the Reading Subject Area Specialization of the Florida Certification Exam, unless currently certified in reading.
Admission Requirements
Refer to Graduate Programs - M.Ed. in Reading Admission in the Admission section of this catalog.
Tuition
Fall, spring, and summer semesters – Check with Bursar’s Office for current tuition per semester hour.
M.Ed. in Reading Education Requirements and Program of Study
Curriculum for the M.Ed. in Reading Education program follows the sequence of courses outlined below:
First year
Fall
Spring
Summer
Second year
Fall
Spring
Total Credit Hours: 30