Jan. 13, 2025
Next Start Date
10
Courses Required
$702
Cost Per Credit Hour
30
Total Credit Hours
Online Asynchronous, Synchronous
Learning Format
The nationally recognized WVU Literacy Education online master's program prepares teachers to become certified as Reading Specialists (Pre-K-Adult) and to fulfill other roles of specialized literacy professionals.
The Master of Arts in Literacy Education is a 30-credit hour, entirely online, graduate degree program with coursework that focuses on preparing reading professionals in the areas identified by the International Literacy Association. You will gain a deep understanding of the theory and research that is fundamental to successful teaching of reading, and upon graduation you may attach Reading Specialist certification to your current teaching area by passing the PRAXIS Series test.
The WVU Literacy Education M.A. program first earned national recognition in 2019 when it received the International Literacy Association's National Recognition With Distinction Award, the highest institutional honor presented for excellence in the field of literacy education by the ILA. In receiving this award, the WVU Literacy Education exceeded benchmarks set forth by the International Literacy Association by adhering to a rigorous set of standards for preparing literacy professionals.
According to the International Literacy Association, the WVU Literacy Education program exemplifies the best in literacy professional preparation and demonstrates that WVU is serious about the need to prepare reading specialists to work not only with students who need support or intensive intervention, but also with colleagues using a coaching mind-set. WVU Literacy Education program has reading specialist candidates enrolled in the program who work in multiple practicum experiences. The WVU Literacy Program is at the forefront of excellence for literacy programs across the United States.
"I am a graduate of Michigan State University, with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in an advising setting for over 15 years and am here to help answer any questions you may have about the enrollment process in our online programs. Our online programs are designed to allow everyone the opportunity to earn a degree, while balancing school, family and life, and I am happy to help you as you go through that journey."
Individuals who wish to apply for the Master of Arts in Literacy Education graduate program, may apply at any time during a term for admission for the next term or later. Early application is recommended, however, to allow processing time and faculty review.
A bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and valid teaching certification.
* Provisional admission is possible with faculty approval for those with less than a 3.0. Those without an undergraduate education degree may be asked to provide a writing sample and/or references.
* GRE and MAT scores are not required
Assignments are given upfront, so you could work ahead of schedule. I can now graduate on time in the spring."
Allyson says that even though the program is all online, the assignments are often group assignments.
"Every course I have taken in the last year has had some sort of video chat, discussion board, or collaboration. It is also helpful that many of us follow the same path in the program, so many of us who started together will finish together."
Allyson says the faculty in the Literacy Education program engage with their students on a weekly and sometimes daily basis through online video chats, phone calls, and they respond to emails quickly.
When grading assignments, they also leave feedback and comments on your work so you know what you did well on and what you may need to focus on more.
"WVU Online is easy to access and affordable. I have learned so much. You can balance your work, classes, and social life all at once when taking online courses."
"Then, as a novice teacher, I realized I needed more information on how to teach reading more effectively to my students so that I could give them the support they needed to develop as independent readers."
Aimee Morewood always knew she wanted to be a teacher after, as an undergraduate, she was able to work in schools with teachers and really gain some valuable experience in the field.
Aimee decided to go into a graduate program where she would earn her master’s degree and her Reading Specialist certification. Then, wanting to learn more about the curriculum side of education, she pursued a second master’s degree before earning her PhD in the area of reading instruction at the University of Pittsburgh.
Morewood says there is a real need for excellent reading teachers.
"Every single job has some type of reading associated with it. Teachers are the ones who open the doors to reading for so many children. Being knowledgeable about how to work with all students so that they can progress in literacy impacts individual students, schools, and communities. Teachers touch every single one of these through their work."
"What I mean is that I take on different roles or mindsets given the learning context. I can take on the role of leader, facilitator, designer, or advocate."
She really gets to know her students well and tries to work with them where they are in their learning to help them achieve the objectives for a specific task.
"As I move fluidly among these mindsets in my teaching, I am able to provide the individualized support that my students need as they challenge themselves to learn more and do better. The high expectations I hold and the support that I provide propel students forward in their learning and in the teaching profession."
Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827. Please contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at (304) 293-5242 or financialaid.wvu.edu for additional information.
The tuition rate per credit hour listed above is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees increase beginning in the fall term of each academic year.
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
The nationally recognized Literacy Education M.A. degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences will prepare you to be a specialized literacy professional as outlined by the International Literacy Association's (ILA) Standards. In addition to Reading Specialist, other roles include Literacy Coach, Literacy Coordinator or Literacy Leader. You will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of literacy and language, design curricula to meet the needs of learners, evaluate literacy instruction for learners, integrate digital technologies, and collaborate with teachers to implement effective literacy practices.
Students who graduate from WVU Online with a Literacy Education M.A. degree will prepare themselves for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities open to you with this degree.
Education Professor
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook
Middle School Teacher
Projected Growth: 4-6%
Special Education – Preschool
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook
Education Administrator - Elementary and Secondary
Projected Growth: 4-6%
Tutor
Projected Growth: 4-6% *Bright Outlook
Elementary School Teacher
Projected Growth: 2-3% *Bright Outlook
Special Education Teacher
Projected Growth: 2-3%
Instructional Coordinator
Projected Growth: 4-6%
Education Administration – Postsecondary
Projected Growth: 7-10-% *Bright Outlook
Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational information network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Major Requirements
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all coursework applied towards
the major.
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
LE 620 | Specialized Literacy Professionals | 3 |
LE 621 | Knowledge of Literacy Instruction | 3 |
LE 622 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
LE 624 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
LE 627 | Motivation and Engagement in Literacy Learning | 3 |
LE 640 | Literacy Intervention 1 | 3 |
LE 682 | Literacy Assessments | 3 |
LE 689 | Literacy Intervention 2 | 3 |
LE 726 | Literacy Leadership | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total Hours: 30
Since the program requires 30 credits, it will take you as little as 5 semesters to complete. Since the program is entirely online, students can take their time with each course based on its availability in the Spring, Summer or Fall semester.
There are many career paths a student could take with a Literacy Education Master’s Degree, including:
Curious about which careers would yield the highest salary? Here are the following highest-paid jobs in the Literacy Education field: