Teacher Education Graduate Programs
Reading

Master of Science in Reading

Why participate in the Reading Master’s program? It broadens teachers’ perspectives on learning through reading and writing for all students.

• Elementary Teachers:  Many elementary teachers choose this major to gain further background and practical application to enhance literacy across the teaching day.
• Secondary Teachers:  Since secondary subject areas rely on reading for much of students’ learning, teachers choose this program to improve instruction for students’ literacy and learning in all content areas.
• Special Education Teachers: Special education teachers enhance their knowledge of theories, research and practices that will impact their students’ learning through reading and writing.
• Title I Teachers: Title I teachers learn theories, research and practices that can provide opportunities for their students to move beyond their current levels of understanding.
• Future Reading Specialists/Coaches: Elementary and secondary teachers who want to move from their classroom teaching to a reading specialist position enroll in this program.
• Speech Language Teachers: These teachers learn ways to increase their understanding of reading, writing, and other literacy skills and strategies that will enhance their work with P-12 students.

What are my choices in the Reading Master’s program?

I.  Masters of Science in Reading:

A. Entry Requirements: an undergraduate degree in education and teaching certificate

B. Program Requirements: The Masters of Science in Reading is a thirty-six (36) credit hour program. Courses include theory, practice, and research related to reading and other language arts; theories of learning and literacy; literature; assessment and evaluation of literacy learning with young students, and critical examination of literacy practices.

C. Exit Options:

1.  Comprehensive Exam               2.  Portfolio                3.  Thesis

D. Adding the Reading Endorsement: To add a Reading Specialist endorsement to a Nebraska teaching certificate also requires two years of contracted teaching.

II. Reading Endorsement ONLY: This endorsement meets K-12 Nebraska requirements as well as similar endorsements in other states.

A. Entry Requirement In addition to a teaching certificate/license:

1. A Masters degree in education

OR

2.Twelve (12) advisor-accepted graduate education hours.

B. Program Requirements:

The Reading Endorsement requires eighteen (18) credit hours (three of which are elective to be determined in consultation with an advisor). Required courses included reading theories and processes, principles and practices, applications and instruction, assessment and research. (Nebraska requires two years of contracted teaching to quality for a NE reading endorsement).     

For information contact:

Dr. Wilma Kuhlman
wkuhlman@unomaha.edu
402.554.3926