M.Ed. in Reading Online
Become a literacy leader
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The Master of Education in Reading from the University of West Florida is designed to address crucial reading specialist shortages in the state of Florida. This innovative, educational program ties science-based reading research to practical classroom applications. Designed for educators who currently hold a teaching certificate, the M.Ed. in Reading can enhance your professional skills and knowledge, and, if desired, help you transition into specialized areas of reading leadership within schools and at the district level. Our program’s curriculum is based on the International Literacy Association standards which also encompass the Florida Department of Education reading endorsement and certification requirements.
Based on the International Literacy Association’s Standards for Reading Professionals, this program integrates coursework and clinical experiences to prepare graduates in the following areas:
- Foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction
- Instructional practices, approaches, methods and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction
- Assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction
- Integration of foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials and the appropriate use of assessments
The M.Ed. in Reading’s online courses incorporate high-impact, rigorous practices that can be used in a future career. In addition, the online courses feature opportunities for practicing teachers/literacy specialists to apply theory to practice through hands-on work in current classrooms. Fieldwork experience can even be completed with online resources, making this degree program flexible and convenient for working professionals or those with families. Depending on your job, some fieldwork could even be completed in your current position. Courses are taught by full-time UWF faculty who are experts and professionals in their fields.
This advanced program requires field experiences which can be completed in your classroom. Alternatively, field experiences may be arranged through the Department of Teacher Education and Educational Leadership Office of Field Placement. Upon program completion, candidates are encouraged to add the Reading Endorsement/Certification to their teaching certificate. The program is approved for both the K-12 Reading Endorsement and Reading Certification by the Florida Department of Education.
Online degrees may not be available in all states. If you are an out-of-state student, please review our State Authorization Status to confirm that the program is available in your state.
Prospective out-of-state students who will be pursuing a license in their state should check with that state’s licensing agency before enrolling. Prospective students from Alabama should review their state’s requirements for certification prior to enrolling.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Working teachers who need a master’s degree to continue teaching
- Teachers seeking to gain additional experience or specialized information
- Students wanting long-term growth and lifelong learning
You Will Be Able To:
- Understand and teach concepts in literature, reading and literacy
- Identify and prevent difficulties in reading
- Administer organized and effective literacy programs
- Develop comprehensive reading assessments
Accreditation
The M.Ed. in Reading is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through Spring 2025. CAEP is the only CHEA recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
CAEP’s annual outcome and impact measures and their trends, candidate performance data, and additional accreditation information is available on the UWF Department of Teacher Education and Educational Leadership Accreditation web page.
Courses and Requirements
The Master of Education in Reading requires a core of 12 courses. You will learn concepts in language arts and literature, reading assessment, literacy development, differentiated instruction, literacy programs and applied research. Understanding historical and current trends in reading will ensure that you are prepared to work in diverse environments upon graduation.
- LAE 5345 - Methods of Advanced Language Arts and Writing
3 Credit Hours
Methods of Advanced Language Arts and Writing
Students will learn inquiry-based pedagogies for teaching writing in grades K-12, how to create a classroom community of writers through a variety of evidence-based frameworks and practical strategies for effective writing instruction and effective methods for embedding meaningful stylistic and mechanical instruction to support writer/writing development.
- LAE 5468 - Literature for Children and Young Adults
3 Credit Hours
Literature for Children and Young Adults
Students in this course will explore contemporary and multicultural literature, authors, illustrators and genres with a focus on selecting and evaluating quality literature for children and young adults. Topics will address literary understandings, critical perspectives and issues and trends related to the field. Students will also gain skills for integrating literature into the K-12 school curricula and programs.
- RED 5515 - Classroom Reading Assessments
3.0 Credit Hours
Classroom Reading Assessments
This course is designed for students to explore theory and practices of informal reading assessments appropriate for the K-12 classroom teacher. During this course, students will administer, analyze, and interpret a variety of informal reading assessments. Course participants will generate a case study to represent how a student develops in terms of reading components.
- RED 6060 - Foundations of Middle and Secondary Literacy
3.0 Credit Hours
Foundations of Middle and Secondary Literacy
Students in this course will learn about literacy theory and instruction in the middle and secondary grades based on research and classroom practice. Students will examine theories for enhancing reading, writing, speaking, and listening across various subjects in the school curriculum for middle and secondary students..
- RED 6116 - Foundations of Literacy Development
3 Credit Hours
Foundations of Literacy Development
Students in this course will learn about current methods, materials, issues and trends in the teaching of literacy in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Students will examine how particular theories of literacy impact instructional practices used when teaching reading and writing in the pre-K–5 classroom.
- RED 6240 - Differentiating Instruction
3.0 Credit Hours
Differentiating Instruction
Explores differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners and teaches how to prevent or remediate reading difficulties. The focus will be on the interpretation of reading assessment and the implementation of research based instructional practices.
- RED 6546 - Identifying and Preventing Reading Difficulties
3.0 Credit Hours
Identifying and Preventing Reading Difficulties
Course work with required clinical experience to develop competence in determining causes and degrees of reading disabilities and identifying appropriate corrective or remedial instruction to meet the specific needs of students. Prerequisite: EDF 6460
- RED 6747 - Research and Trends in Reading
3.0 Credit Hours
Research and Trends in Reading
Review of significant research in reading, introduction to techniques and critical analysis of reading research, review and comparison of trends in development of materials, approaches and reading programs.
- RED 6866 - Reading Practicum
3.0 Credit Hours
Reading Practicum
Provides practical experience in increasing the reading performance of K-12 students with the prescription and utilization of appropriate strategies and materials. Requires demonstration of knowledge in the prevention, identification and remediation of reading difficulties. Prerequisite: RED 6240
- RED 6701 - The Organization and Administration of Literacy Programs
3.0 Credit Hours
The Organization and Administration of Literacy Programs
Explores the role of a specialized literacy leader in organizing and implementing literacy programs from the pre-elementary through the college level. Includes an examination of leadership practices and advocacy that promote effective literacy practices to a variety of stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, and students.
- EDF 6460 - Foundations of Measurement
3.0 Credit Hours
Foundations of Measurement
Provides an understanding of the nature of instrument and test development and focuses on the information and skills needed to design, develop, analyze, and interpret tests and instruments; the use of testing or instrument results in planning, monitoring, and evaluating instruction or programs; and to evaluate student or program progress. Intended to provide a foundation in testing and instrument development skills for those who work in a variety of applied settings.
- EDG 6916 - Applied Research
3.0 Credit Hours
Applied Research
This capstone course is designed for students to apply methods of scholarly inquiry and composition, synthesizing insights and findings in a scholarly product. The course goals are to provide students with hands-on experiences in the collection and analysis of data related to a specific field. Students will have options that include: 1) a comprehensive synthesis of research that answers a specific question, 2) an action research project, or 3) an instructor approved design. Prerequisite: RED 6747 OR EDG 6918
- LAE 5345 - Methods of Advanced Language Arts and Writing
Some UWF academic programs prepare students to sit for licensure in Florida. In order to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations for professional licensure, UWF is required to make the following disclosure with respect to professional licensure outside the state of Florida. UWF cannot confirm whether a particular program meets requirements for professional licensure outside of the State of Florida. Please contact applicable licensure board(s) in any state you may want to pursue licensure prior to beginning the academic program in order to determine whether the program meets licensure requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm program eligibility for licensure in any state outside Florida.
Students who complete the following courses may apply to the Florida Department of Education to have the Florida Reading Endorsement added to a current teaching certificate:
- RED 6116 - Foundations of Literacy Development
3.0 Credit Hours
Foundations of Literacy Development
Students in this course will learn about current methods, materials, issues, and trends in the teaching of literacy in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Students will examine how particular theories of literacy impact instructional practices used when teaching reading and writing in the pre-k-5 classroom.
- RED 6060 - Foundations of Middle and Secondary Literacy Development
3 Credit Hours
Foundations of Middle and Secondary Literacy Development
Students in this course will learn about literacy theory and instruction in the middle and secondary grades based on research and classroom practice. Students will examine theories for enhancing reading, writing, speaking and listening across various subjects in the school curriculum for middle and secondary students.
- RED 5515 - Classroom Reading Assessments
3.0 Credit Hours
Classroom Reading Assessments
This course is designed for students to explore theory and practices of informal reading assessments appropriate for the K-12 classroom teacher. During this course, students will administer, analyze, and interpret a variety of informal reading assessments. Course participants will generate a case study to represent how a student develops in terms of reading components.
- RED 6240 - Differentiating Instruction
3.0 Credit Hours
Differentiating Instruction
Explores differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners and teaches how to prevent or remediate reading difficulties. The focus will be on the interpretation of reading assessment and the implementation of research based instructional practices.
- RED 6866 - Reading Practicum
3.0 Credit Hours
Reading Practicum
Provides practical experience in increasing the reading performance of K-12 students with the prescription and utilization of appropriate strategies and materials. Requires demonstration of knowledge in the prevention, identification and remediation of reading difficulties. Prerequisite: RED 6240
- RED 6116 - Foundations of Literacy Development
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to UWF’s online M.Ed. Reading program, you must:
- Have or be seeking a professional teaching certification
- Have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale*
- Demonstrate proficiency in ESOL via completion of an ESOL survey course or district in-service points
- Demonstrate proficiency of the Additional Elements of the Florida Uniform Core Curriculum
Due to COVID-19 and in an effort to better accommodate our students, the M.Ed. Reading program will waive the GRE/GMAT for Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 terms.
Eligibility for initial educator certification in Washington is based on completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. This program is approved in Florida. Even though you may reside in Washington while completing this program, your application for educator certification in Washington will be processed as an out-of-state application. Go to http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for information. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for teacher advancement. (Washington Student Achievement Council Degree Authorization, February 26, 2013).
* Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement but submit a desired current GRE verbal or MAT score at or above the 50th percentile and meet all remaining admission requirements may be conditionally admitted to the program.
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission to the University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit a supplemental application to assess ESOL and UCC requirements
- Submit official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
- Submit GRE or MAT scores**
- Submit a letter of intent that includes the following information: your background, short- and long-term goals, contributions you would like to make to your field of study and strengths you bring to the program
- Submit contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for two professional references
** The graduate admission test may be waived for applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution.
To be fully admitted to the program, the following requirements must be met in addition to the requirements for provisional admission (above). Full admission is required by the fifth week of the first semester. Students will be unable to register for the second semester of coursework until full admission has been granted.
- Purchase and activation of a subscription to the Department of Teacher Education and Educational Leadership’s assessment system, Tk20, within the first week of the first semester
- Completion of the Professional Education Applicant Disposition Scale by each person identified as a professional reference
- Completion of the Professional Education Applicant Disposition Self-rating Scale within Tk20
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu.
Costs & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
Component | Cost | Total* |
---|---|---|
Full Program Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $13,845.60 |
Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 6) | $384.60 per credit hour | $11,538.00 |
Component | Cost | Total* |
---|---|---|
In-State Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $13,845.60 |
In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 6) | $384.60 per credit hour | $11,538.00 |
Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $37,592.64 |
90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $17,237.88 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online campus programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 24 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
Upon completion of our master’s in reading education degree, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers develop lesson plans and educate young students in basic areas such as reading, science, social studies and mathematics. Elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $56,900 per year, and employment is expected to grow 7 percent through 2026.
High School Teachers
High school teachers prepare their students for colleges, universities, trade schools and future employment. They develop lesson plans, teach classes, grade assignments, assess behaviors and strengths, supervise students and collaborate with other teachers. Usually, high school teachers have a specialty in one or more subject areas. These teachers made a median annual salary of $60,320 in 2018, and jobs are expected to grow 4 percent through 2028.
Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators develop curricula and instructional material and manage teaching standards. They analyze student data, evaluate curriculum effectiveness, and train teachers and staff on new school programs. Through 2026, employment is projected to increase six percent, and the median annual wage is $66,290.