M.Ed. Reading Specialist Concentration

The M.Ed. in reading, reading specialist concentration provides prospective reading specialists with integrated experiences in all aspects of the reading curriculum, ranging from preschool to adult levels. This nationally-accredited and Virginia Board of Education-approved program promotes a passion for lifelong reading education, embracing literacy practices across all levels (early childhood, elementary, intermediate, secondary and adult). The online reading program offers students a high level of flexibility for managing their time and coursework. The program features interactive dialogues, asynchronous online discussions, synchronous online conversations and coaching opportunities.

Program Highlights

• Complete a reading portfolio documenting their work in the program
• Implement an action research project during externship
• Collaborative three-credit internship to practice coaching skills
• Content courses including psycholinguistics, word study, media literacy and more

For the K-12 reading specialist concentration, applicants must have an active renewable teaching license and three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility.

The K-12 reading specialist concentration of the M.Ed. in reading provides students with an understanding of the resource and supervisory functions involved in teaching reading and the language arts. Students will gain an understanding of the developmental and diagnostic processes involved in teaching reading and the language arts, and will learn to effectively plan reading and literacy instruction.

Candidates will be required to complete a three-credit internship, which enables candidates to provide intensive instruction to struggling learners, collaborate with colleagues and practice coaching skills under the direct supervision of VCU faculty.

The School of Education (SOE) degree programs that lead to professional licensure are designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for professional licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The SOE has determined that the curriculum includes applicable educational prerequisites for the following professional licensure(s) and/or certification(s) as outlined on this page of our website.