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Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education
Degree offerings within the Curriculum and Instruction prepare educators for a wide variety of professional opportunities in formal and informal learning environments including colleges and universities, PK-12 schools and school divisions, local, state and federal departments of education, education-related non-profit organizations, and education-related advocacy organizations. Flexible offerings delivered face-to-face or online either full-time or part-time (depending upon the degree) make the Curriculum and Instruction programs adaptable for students’ needs.
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education
The Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Reading is designed for reading practitioners who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills for the effective teaching of reading, the development of reading programs, and literacy coaching at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Successful degree completers will demonstrate the following: (a) the ability to integrate cognitive research and best practices in literacy into their teaching; (b) the use of authentic assessment and strategies as tools to evaluate student learning progress; (c) the ability to modify instructional plans to meet the needs of all learners including struggling readers; (d) the ability to plan, implement, and assess instruction in settings that include diverse cultural populations and special needs students; and (e) the understanding and use of principles of effective literacy coaching and leadership.
This program also prepares individuals for literacy work in community colleges, industry, adult education programs, commercial education centers and private practice.
Total Number of Credits required
The academic Master’s degree in Reading Education is a 30-hour degree. Teachers in Virginia who wish to add the Commonwealth of Virginia’s K12 reading specialist endorsement to their teaching license must take an additional six credit hours (6) in one of our summer reading clinics (degree + 6 hours). The MEd plus 6 is a state approved curriculum for preparing teachers for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s K12 reading specialist endorsement.
Required core reading courses - 18 credits
- EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction (3 credits)
- EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas (3 credits)
- EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language Structures and Phonics (3 credits)
- EDIS 5730 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 1 (fall semester) (3 credits)
- EDIS 5740 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 2 (spring semester) (3 credits)
- EDIS 7751 Literacy, Leadership, and Coaching (3 credits)
Required Cognates - 9 credits
- EDIS 7310 Children’s Literature OR EDIS 5410 Young Adult Literature (3 credits)
- EDLF 5010 Child Learning and Development OR EDLF 7160/5160 Lifespan Development OR EDLF 5011 Adolescent Development (3 credits)
- EDIS 5435 Writing Across the Curriculum (3 credits)
One Elective Required - 3 credits
- EDIS 5270 Reading and Writing for English Language Learners OR EDIS 5750 Differentiated Reading Instruction OR EDIS 5760 Adolescent Literacy OR EDIS 5411 Reading Tutoring
Required for Endorsement (two clinical courses)
The following two clinical courses are not part of the academic master’s degree but are required to obtain the Commonwealth of VA’s K12 Reading Specialist Endorsement only.
- EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis (3 credits)
- EDIS 7740 Remedial Practicum (3 credits)
Culminating Experience
All students must take and successfully pass the Praxis: Reading for Virginia Educators: Reading Specialist (5304) test before graduation.
Other
This degree accepts both GRE scores and alternative admissions procedures (before application and admission, the individual takes two core courses [EDIS 7700 and 7720], earns a B+ or better, and submits a writing sample that is graded against a rubric). This option allows the applicant to become acquainted with the program before admission.
Education Specialist - Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education
The Educational Specialist degree in reading program area is designed to help educators who already hold a master’s degree to go further in the field of education. The degree is a planned 30-credit (minimum) terminal post-master’s degree in which candidates are expected to attain an understanding of major issues in reading education, definitive knowledge of the field of reading, and the ability to integrate and apply what they have learned in an educational context and demonstrate this knowledge in a thesis. The Education Specialist degree allows individuals to build their expertise in curriculum design with a focus on literacy development. The degree will enable them to become curriculum leaders with a focus on analysis of current research and hands-on study through field experience. The end result will be an informed educator with the skills to develop curriculum, design assessment systems for students and schools, evaluate best practice materials, and take positions as literacy leaders in educational settings.
Following completion of the Ed.S. degree, candidates will have acquired the ability to:
- Apply knowledge of refined research-based teaching strategies and skills to improve literacy instruction
- Integrate the best practices of reading into the entire curriculum
- Evaluate current practices in education and explore strategies to improve learning outcomes
- Create positive social change by providing literacy leadership at the school, community and division levels
- Explore real-world challenges in education and develop scholarly methods to create positive social change
Total Number of Credits required
The Curry School Ed.S. degree in reading is completed with a minimum of 30 hours (27 hours of course work plus 3 hours of thesis credit).
Required Reading Core - 18 credits
- EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction (3 credits)
- EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas (3 credits)
- EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language Structures and Phonics (3 credits)
- EDIS 5730 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation I (K-2) (3 credits)
- EDIS 5740 Remedial Techniques and Remediation (grades 3 and above) (3 credits)
- EDIS 7751 Literacy Leadership, and Coaching (3 credits)
Electives - 9 credits
To be determined with advisor.
Thesis Course - 3 credits
- EDIS 8999 Master’s Thesis
Culminating Experience
A publishable master’s thesis related to the individual’s professional goals.
Other
This degree requires a GRE score for application. The degree does not lead to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s K12 endorsement in reading.
Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education
The Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education prepares graduates for college or university positions in reading education or for positions within school districts with specific areas of curricular expertise and supervision related to reading education. The program includes coursework, an internship, and practical experiences to prepare graduates to: (1) produce scholar-practitioner research that adds to the knowledge base of a specific reading education-related organization and/or program; (2) educate teachers in the area of curricular expertise and evidence-based practice in the context of reading; and (3) provide effective leadership in the field of teacher education related to reading education.
Core Courses
A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required. Options for core courses include:
- EDIS 7091 Proseminar: Reading
- EDIS 7210 Advanced Language Development
- EDIS 7400 Problems and Issues in Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies
- EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction
- EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas
- EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language, Structures, and Phonics
- EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis
- EDIS 7740 Practicum in Remedial Reading
- EDIS 7750 Effective Reading Programs
- EDIS 7751 Literacy Leadership and Coaching
- EDIS 7830 Trends and Issues in Teaching and Learning
- EDIS 7851 Theoretical Models of Reading Seminar
- EIDS 7852 Seminar: Reading Research
- EDIS 7882 Reading Seminar: Early Literacy Acquisition
- EDIS 7883 Reading Disabilities
- EDIS 7886 Comprehension of Text
- EDIS 7887 Models of Reading
- EDIS 9700 Reading Research Seminar
Coursework in Research
A minimum of 18 semester hours of research methods coursework is required. Students must take at least 2 quantitative research methods courses and 2 qualitative research methods courses. Options for research methods courses include:
- EDLF 7300 Foundations of Ed Research
- EDLF 7310 Educational Statistics-Stat I
- EDIS 7852 Reading the Research
- EDLF 8300 Experimental Design-Stat II
- EDLF 7402 Program Evaluation
- EDLF 7404 Qualitative Analysis
- EDLF 8310 Correlation & Regression—Stat III
- EDLF 8440 Advanced Qual Analysis
- EDLF 8450 Qualitative Analysis with Computers
- EDLF 5500 Data Management
Electives OR Coursework in One Supporting Area
A minimum of 12 semester hours is required. Coursework is determined in concert with your program committee.
Other Requirements
- Internship - A minimum of 12 semester hours must be completed.
- Preliminary Examination
- Comprehensive Examination
- Capstone Project - A minimum of 12 semester hours must be completed.
Culminating Experience
Ed.D. students in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Education must successful design, implement and defend the Capstone project.
Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Reading Education
The Ph.D. in Education - Reading Education is a terminal graduate degree that prepares graduates for positions in university settings (e.g., in research intensive universities, liberal arts colleges, and other post-secondary institutions), school districts, and government agencies. The Ph.D. in Education- Reading Education program emphasizes development of strong foundational knowledge in theory and the practical application of theory in reading education. A thorough understanding of all aspects of the research process is key, including: development of research questions and hypotheses, research design, analysis and interpretation, dissemination of results in both oral and written formats, and grant writing to fund research. Ph.D. in Education: Reading Education students take extensive coursework in research methods and many focus on optional areas of emphasis.
Core Requirements
A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required for the Reading Education PhD. Possible core courses include:
- EDIS 7091 Proseminar: Reading
- EDIS 7210 Advanced Language Development
- EDIS 7400 Problems and Issues in Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies
- EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction
- EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas
- EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language, Structures, and Phonics
- EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis
- EDIS 7740 Practicum in Remedial Reading
- EDIS 7750 Effective Reading Programs
- EDIS 7751 Literacy Leadership and Coaching
- EDIS 7830 Trends and Issues in Teaching and Learning
- EDIS 7851 Theoretical Models of Reading Seminar
- EIDS 7852 Seminar: Reading Research
- EDIS 7882 Reading Seminar: Early Literacy Acquisition
- EDIS 7883 Reading Disabilities
- EDIS 7886 Comprehension of Text
- EDIS 7887 Models of Reading
- EDIS 9700 Reading Research Seminar
Research Requirements
A minimum of 24 semester hours of core coursework is required. Required research courses include:
- EDIS 7852 Reading the Research
- EDLF 7300 Foundations of Educational Research
- EDLF 7310 Educational Statistics- Stat I
- EDLF 7404 Qualitative Analysis
- EDLF 8300 Experimental Design-Stat II
Optional Area of Emphasis
A minimum of 12 semester hours is required. Coursework is approved by the student’s doctoral program committee and the CISE Department Doctoral Studies Coordinator.
Other Requirements
- Research mentorship - A minimum of 12 semester hours of research mentorship must be completed.
- Preliminary Examination - Completed after the first year of full-time coursework
- Qualifying paper/Comprehensive Examination - Completed after the second year of full-time coursework
- Dissertation - A minimum of 12 credits hours must be completed.
Culminating Experience
PhD students in Reading Education must successful design, implement and defend the dissertation project in accordance with the Curry Dissertation manual.
