Teacher Education Department

Graduate Reading Program

 

General Information
for M.S. in Reading

 

This is a pre-K through 12 program.  The faculty views literacy in a broad sense. Thus, our requirements encompass theory, practice and research related to reading and the other language arts (writing, speaking and listening); theories of learning and literacy; literature; assessment and evaluation of literacy; and critical examinations of literacy practices (e.g., relationships to culture, policy, power). Completion of this master’s degree meets the requirements for a K-12 reading endorsement in Nebraska.

 

Who Enrolls in This Program:

• Elementary Teachers -- Many elementary teachers choose this major because they know that reading and the other language arts permeate their teaching.  Students must be able to effectively apply literacy strategies in all subject areas.  Coursework provides the background and practical application to enhance literacy across the teaching day.
• Secondary Teachers -- Most secondary subject areas rely on reading for much of students' learning.  Thus, a secondary teacher of any subject area will benefit from this program since it focuses on ways to improve students' literacy (comprehension, strategy knowledge and application, writing to learn) and thus learning.
• Special Education Teachers -- Students with special needs often have difficulty with language (written and/or oral).  Teachers of these students greatly enhance their knowledge of theories, research and practices that will impact their students' reading and writing achievement, and their abilities to learn from and through written text.
• Title 1 Teachers -- Title 1 teachers often work with low-achieving students who struggle with literacy.  Even when working with “story” problems in math, they are influenced by ineffective literacy strategies.  Through this program, Title 1 teachers learn theories, research and practices that can provide opportunities for their students to move beyond their current levels of understanding.
• Future Reading Specialists -- Elementary and secondary teachers who want to move from their classroom teaching to a reading specialist position enroll in this program.  Completion of the MS in Reading meets the Nebraska Department of Education's requirements for a K-12 Reading Endorsement when teachers have at least 2 years teaching experience.
• Speech Language Teachers -- Speech/Language teachers work with children and adolescents to help them improve their language skills. These teachers can benefit from this program as they learn theories, research, and practice that increase their understanding of reading, writing, and other literacy skills and strategies that will enhance their work with P-12 students.

For further information contact Dr. Wilma Kuhlman, wkuhlman@mail.unomaha.edu, 402/554-3926.