Literacy with PDE Reading Specialist Certification

This program is conveniently conducted online with required field hours completed right where you reside. 130 field hours are embedded in the curriculum so you can apply what you learn to the classroom.

In addition to a rigorous curriculum, this program includes opportunities for practicum/clinical experiences that allow for you to apply what you’ve learned about curriculum and instruction, diversity and equity, exam and evaluation, and learners within the literacy environment.

Graduates of our program not only understand literacy and deeply explore best practices in pedagogy, but they build organization and leadership skills that make them collaborative leaders in inclusive practices, exam, and professional development within districts.

Teaching literacy is so important today because on average, 50 percent of children are at or below the basic level of literacy proficiency required for their grade area. This program was designed to accommodate the working educator, and our close-knit community of teachers, staff and students is what makes the difference. 

The literacy master's program at Wilkes was the perfect balance of rigorous coursework, reflective discussions, and application of knowledge. I wanted my master's to be relatable and relevant to my current role as a secondary ELA teacher; this program provided that for me.

I loved being able to go at my own pace as far as selecting the amount of courses and moving ahead in the course work as I could.  I used the information I was learning immediately in my experiences teaching.

Tuition for graduate programs in education for the 2023-24 academic year is $554 per credit, or $1,662 per course. Deferment is available for employers who reimburse tuition and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Those with master’s degrees in literacy can pursue a variety of career paths in supporting students with their reading and writing skills. Graduates often hold positions as reading specialists within K-12 districts. Other career paths include working in adult education, academic publishing and exam, or within writing centers in higher education.

Job Titles: Literacy Specialist, Reading Specialist, Adult Education Instructor, Literacy Coach, Education Writer, Literacy Assessment Specialist, Literacy Curriculum Developer, Writing Center Coordinator, Educational Consultant

Upon successful completion of the master's degree curriculum, students may apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Reading Specialist certification. Candidates interested in the certification must hold a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II teaching certificate.

Educational Specialist in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Physical Education Teacher Certification

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Regulations for The Master of Specialist Teaching - MSpecTchg

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

1. Admission to the Master of Specialist Teaching requires that the candidate will meet the University admission requirements as specified; and shall have:

(a) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B grade average across the highest level courses, or equivalent; and

(b) been awarded or qualified for a relevant professional qualification; and

(c) have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience;

or will have:

(d) been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching with at least a B grade average, or equivalent.

2. For entry into the Adviser on Deaf Children subject candidates shall have:

(a) been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Deaf and Hard of Hearing), with at least a B grade average, or equivalent; or

(b) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy Honours degree with at least Second Class Honours, or equivalent; or

(c) been awarded or qualified for a Master of Speech and Language degree having achieved at least a B grade average, or equivalent.

3. For entry into the Te Korowai Mokopuna subject candidates shall have:

(a) been awarded or qualified for the professional qualification Te Tohu Mātauranga Whakapakari Tino Rangatiratanga o Te Kōhanga Reo with at least a B grade average across the highest level courses, or equivalent; and

(b) have completed at least two years of relevant professional experience in Kōhanga Reo; and

(c) hold a current letter of endorsement from Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

4. In all cases candidates will be required to:

(a) be selected on the basis of a selection process which may include written application, interview, referee reports and practical exercises; and

(b) meet requirements equivalent to those set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration as a teacher in terms of values, fitness and disposition to teach, and will:

(c) hold current relevant New Zealand Professional Registration; or

(d) be required to undergo police vetting prior to gaining entry into the programme.

5. All candidates whose first language is not English or Te Reo Māori, who have not gained a New Zealand university entrance qualification or an overseas entrance qualification in a country where the main language is English, will be required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English in the form of an academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 or other evidence that is acceptable to Academic Board.

6. Candidates for the Master of Specialist Teaching shall follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits, comprising:

(a) completion of Part One and Part Two as detailed in the Schedule for the Qualification; and including completion of

(b) a subject

(c) any compulsory courses as listed in the Schedule for the Degree.

7. Notwithstanding Regulation 6, the programme of study for candidates admitted under Regulation 1(d) will be at least 120 credits including:

(a) 249.770 or 249.771; and

(b) completion of a subject as specified in the schedule for the Degree; and

(c) Part Two as detailed in the Schedule for the Degree.

8. Notwithstanding Regulation 6, the programme of study for candidates admitted under Regulation 2(a), (b) or (c) will be at least 120 credits including:

(a) 249.770 or 249.771; and

(c) completion of the Adviser Deaf Children subject as specified in the Schedule for the Degree; and

(d) Part Two as detailed in the Schedule for the Degree.

9. The Master of Specialist Teaching is awarded with or without a subject.

10. The requirements for each subject are set out in the Schedule for the Degree.

11. Subject specialisations available for the Master of Specialist Teaching are: Adviser on Deaf Children, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blind and Low Vision, Complex Educational Needs, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Intervention, Te Korowai Mokopuna, Gifted Education, Learning and Behaviour.

12. A candidate admitted under Regulation 1(d) will complete the Master of Specialist Teaching without a specialisation.

13. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of Specialist Teaching may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

14. For progression to Part Two of the Master of Specialist Teaching candidates must have maintained a grade average of at least a B over the first 120 credits undertaken for Part One.

15. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

16. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for progression from Part One to Part Two, or who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching or the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching, should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

17. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

18. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the degree, candidates who commenced study towards the Gifted and Talented Education subject prior to 01 January 2022 may elect to be awarded this specialisation title rather than the title ‘Gifted Education’ on completion of the subject. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2025.