M.Ed. Reading Education
Program Overview
The online program prepares certified teachers to meet standards established by the International Literacy Association to become reading specialists, literacy coaches or reading administrators. After graduation, students who pass the state-issued exam and have at least two years of teaching experience can qualify for the professional reading specialist certificate.
Course Work
Most students enter the program to pursue a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Reading Education while preparing to pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) to receive a reading specialist certificate. The program requires 30 credit hours of course work in reading, including courses in language and literacy development, reading theory and research, teaching literacy from early childhood through grade 16, teaching with literature for children/young adults, teaching reading and writing in a multilingual/multicultural environment and literacy assessment. The program also requires a two-course internship to complete a research and professional development project, as well as a
six-hour cognate that is designed in consultation with program advisors.
| Degree | Certification | Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.Ed. | Certification No certification | Hours 30 | Location Online |
Degree M.Ed. | Certification EC-12 Reading Specialist | Hours 30 | Location Online |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
Students are scholars and teachers working alongside faculty to investigate tools to strengthen literacy, create innovative curricula, refine instruction, conduct research and learn ways to make their work public.
Program Mission
The reading education program takes its mission statement of "a community of equity-minded literacy professionals" seriously, as evidenced by faculty research interests and their work with master's students, in and out of the classroom. Students can expect a rigorous, research-based learning experience in multiple areas of language and literacy development. Course work deepens teachers' understanding of theory, research, assessment, and practice within culturally and linguistically diverse settings. Faculty regularly present at conferences and publish with students engaged in classroom research. The program's goal is to strengthen the pedagogical practice of our students and to actively serve the Pre-K-12 students of Texas and beyond.
Career Options
Career options for reading specialists:
- classroom or intervention teacher
- reading specialist for public or private schools
- district-level director of literacy education
- literacy instructor for universities, community colleges, or adult education programs
- reading tutor for students K-16
- curricula developer
- director of a reading clinic and/or tutoring company
- reading consultant for a variety of public/private organizations/publishing companies
Program Faculty
Faculty are scholars and teachers who work in schools, staying current with today’s classrooms and teachers. Literacy is both a passion and a mission. The M.Ed. courses are taught by full-time, tenured, or tenure-track faculty who are experts in their field and former classroom teachers. Faculty are active scholars who have published in journals such as The Reading Teacher, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Bilingual Research Journal, Research in the Teaching of English, Language and Education, Language Arts, and Voices from the Middle.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES CONCENTRATIONS U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority (All) February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard (All) June 15 (*Flexible) June 1 Spring (All) October 15 (*Flexible) October 1 Summer I EC-12 Reading Specialist April 15 (*Flexible) March 15 Summer II EC-12 Reading Specialist June 1 (*Flexible) No Admission *This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES CONCENTRATIONS U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority (All) February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard (All) August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority (All) September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard (All) November 1 October 1 Summer I - Priority EC-12 Reading Specialist January 1 January 1 Summer I - Standard EC-12 Reading Specialist May 1 March 15 Summer II - Priority EC-12 Reading Specialist January 1 No Admission Summer II - Standard EC-12 Reading Specialist June 1 No Admission
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Additional Fees for Certification Applicants:
- $35 nonrefundable Texas Education Agency technology fee (required upon offer of admission to the master's certification program)
There are additional fees associated with certification programs to be paid after admission. Review important information about the additional fees to be paid.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Non-Certification-Seeking Applicants:
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
Certification-Seeking Applicants:
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or one of the exempt countries found on the TEA standards and Texas State University standards.
- official TOEFL iBT scores with minimum individual scores of
- 22 listening
- 22 reading
- 24 speaking
- 21 writing
*Exceptions are made for students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education in India. These students must meet the following requirements:
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
M.Ed. with no certification
- statement of purpose (3–5 pages, double-spaced) describing current teaching of literacy, objectives in enrolling in the program, and goals for improving literacy instruction
M.Ed. with EC-12 Reading Specialist Certification
- statement of purpose (3–5 pages, double-spaced) describing current teaching of literacy, objectives in enrolling in the program, and goals for improving literacy instruction
- copy of official teaching certificate (and preferably at least one year of teaching experience) Note: Texas requires at least two years of teaching experience before teachers are eligible to take the Reading Specialist certification exam.
Review important information about documents.