Photo: WVU student teacher works with students from Suncrest Elementary School during a field trip to the Milano Reading Room at the Wise Library in Morgantown, WV, Wednesday, February 18, 2026. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)
In a world that is full of information coming from a variety of sources, basic literacy has never been more important.
Literacy and Reading Specialists play a critical role in improving outcomes in schools and helping students learn to read and understand what they’re reading. These specialists work directly with students, support classroom teachers, and help implement evidence-based reading instruction across grade levels. For educators ready to take on that kind of leadership, an advanced degree can provide the knowledge and credentials to do so.
West Virginia University's online Literacy Education, M.A. with Reading Specialist Certification program is designed for working educators who want to deepen their expertise, continue teaching while earning their degree, and help their students develop critical reading and literacy skills.
What Can You Do with a Master's in Literacy Education?
Reading Specialists do far more than provide reading intervention. They work with students who need additional support, help fellow educators grow, and help schools strengthen how they teach concepts like reading, writing, and literacy through evidence-based practices.
Earning a master's in literacy education can prepare you to:
- Earn your Reading Specialist Certification
- Lead literacy initiatives within your school or district
- Coach and mentor fellow educators
- Improve reading, writing, and comprehension outcomes
- Advance your career in one of education's high-need fields
For teachers who enjoy helping both students and colleagues succeed, the role offers an opportunity to expand their impact beyond a single classroom.
Built for Working Educators
WVU's fully online program is designed around the schedules of practicing educators, because grad school shouldn't mean putting your teaching career on hold. You’ll complete 8-week courses during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, allowing you to finish the degree in as few as five semesters while continuing to work full time.
School-based literacy intervention practicums and novice literacy coaching experiences are completed in your own community under the remote supervision of WVU faculty, with only the practicum course including synchronous instruction.
The program also creates a collaborative learning environment by bringing together educators from elementary, middle, and high school settings. Learning alongside teachers across the K-12 spectrum helps students gain a broader understanding of literacy development and instructional practices that support readers at every stage.
Why Choose This Program?
WVU's Literacy Education program has earned International Literacy Association National Recognition with Distinction, making it the first fully online literacy education program in the nation to receive this honor. It has also been recognized as a West Virginia University Board of Governors Program of Excellence and is CAEP-accredited, reflecting its commitment to preparing highly qualified educators.
Students learn from nationally recognized faculty who regularly present at conferences, conduct literacy research, and work closely with schools across West Virginia and beyond. Through partnerships like the WVU Education Collaborative, including an initiative that helped fund the education of 50 Kanawha County teachers, the program continues to strengthen literacy instruction where it's needed most.
Eligible students may also receive prior learning credit through LETRS, helping them build on the professional development they've already completed.
Take the Next Step Toward Literacy Leadership
Whether your goal is becoming a Reading Specialist, supporting fellow teachers, or helping more students become successful readers, a master's in literacy education can prepare you to take on a broader leadership role.
WVU's online Master of Arts in Literacy Education with Reading Specialist Certification combines the flexibility working teachers need with nationally recognized faculty, award-winning curriculum, and meaningful school partnerships.
Ready to take the next step? Connect with Melinda Sierzega, CAHS Graduate Student Success and Enrollment Specialist, to learn more about this program and how it can help you accomplish your goals.