Information on Master’s Degree Programs for Reading Specialists
Majors Overview August 11, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs for reading specialists and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs for Reading Specialists
Improvement of overall literacy in their assigned school or district is the avowed goal of reading specialists. Various services are available to these professionals, including teacher instruction for assessment of students, one-on-one instruction for students with reading difficulty and development of reading coursework. Through these programs, students gain an in-depth grasp of developmental processes that transpire when they are learning to read. Students also study various assessment techniques and different methods of instruction. Schools offer programs in various formats, including distance and part-time learning.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a baccalaureate degree in education, in addition to current teaching certification. They are also required to have prior teaching experience before they can find admission into the training program.
Coursework
The focus of program coursework is on detailed strategies for assessment of reading issues and teaching methods aimed at overcoming the problems. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Reading instruction
•Supporting readers
•Reading and cognition
•Language development
•Reading assessment
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of twelve percent has been predicted for teachers, particularly elementary school and kindergarten teachers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, kindergarten and elementary school teachers brought in an average annual wage of $53,090.
Continuing Education Choices
State licensure is compulsory for all teachers; however, a special endorsement is available upon completion of a reading specialist program. Additionally, a certification program for reading specialists is sponsored by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
