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The Reading Department faculty members — Dr. Shawn Watkins, and Dr. Andrew Gavalis -- are highly knowledgeable about every aspect of literacy and structure all classes and experiences to help candidates:

• effectively teach literacy to Pre-K – 12 students, empowering them to achieve the Common Core College and Career Readiness Standards.
• meet professional goals through current theoretical and practical experiences
• deepen their knowledge of reading, develop leadership skills in literacy education, and use research-based strategies to teach readers Pre-K - 12
• attain a Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certificate
• be the best teachers of reading and writing they can be!

Highlights of the program include

• a focus on literacy acquisition and development, assessment, and instruction of students with diverse learning and literacy needs.
• use of a variety of assessments and teaching ideas to engage in effective, evidence-based instruction.
• key strategies that enable them to create a literate environment that fosters reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.
• totally online program includes synchronous and asynchronous interactions. Candidates to learn from home, engage directly with faculty during classes, and work at their convenience when engaging in related activities.
• collaboration with colleagues across the state and region.
• meeting the requirements of the International Literacy Association’s Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017).
• coursework needed to attain the Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification (Out-of-state graduates can check with their state's Department of Education to discern requirements for similar certificates/endorsements).

Candidates can complete the CAEP-approved, 36-credit online M.Ed. in Reading in one year or over multiple years.

Program Requirements

Students take an additional 9 credits of classes; specific classes depend upon the special education competencies completed in prior programs. Therefore, some students take 9 credits of Special Education classes, other students take 9 credits of electives, and some take 9 credits of a combination. This is determined during the application process.

Electives

Special Education Classes

Professional Licensure Disclosures and Distance Learning State Authorization: Applicants who are applying to programs that may lead to licensure in states other than Pennsylvania must be aware of the various state professional licensure requirements. Please see Â鶹¹ÙÍø's professional licensure disclosures, Evaluation of Conduct Record, and check licensure requirements by occupation and state at .