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Holy Family
Master of Education Degree with Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification or Reading Specialist Certification/No Degree
For the experienced teacher already holding a teacher certificate, this program offers an opportunity to learn new ways to assist students in learning to read, write, and communicate effectively. Such specialists often assume leadership roles in schools, acting as master teachers, literacy coaches, or serving in other roles calling for this expertise and training. The traditional role filled by such specialists is to act as a school consultant for classroom teachers and instructional support teams as well as to tutor students or offer small-group instruction for those needing special assistance. Nontraditional roles in clinics, community colleges, special programs, and organizations also are viable alternatives for employment.
The program emphasizes the mastery of teaching reading rooted in a thorough understanding of the process of constructing meaning from the text. Such teachers will be equipped to use many types of materials to teach reading to students with a variety of learning needs.
Proficiency must be demonstrated by successfully passing the appropriate tests required for Pennsylvania certification.
Core Requirements (6 credits)
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The Process and Pedagogy of Communication (This course may be taken either first or second in the Reading sequence.) |
3 |
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Psychology of Reading (This course may be taken either first or second in the Reading sequence.) |
3 |
Professional Requirements (9 credits)
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Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties (Prerequisite: EDUC 601) |
3 |
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Remediation of Reading Difficulties (Prerequisite: EDUC 603) |
3 |
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Structure of School Reading Programs (Prerequisite: EDUC 605) |
3 |
Culminating Experience (9 credits)
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Seminar in Reading Research (Prerequisite: EDUC 605 or may be taken concurrently with EDUC 605) |
3 |
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F |
Supervised Field Experience in Reading (Prerequisites: EDUC 527, 601, 603, and 605.) Students who enroll in this course are required to complete part of their coursework at the Northeast Philadelphia Campus and part of their coursework in a local school to be assigned by their supervisor. NOTE: No other courses may be taken concurrently with EDUC 609. |
6 |
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or |
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Reading Thesis I, II (May be taken in lieu of EDUC 609 for those not seeking certification endorsement. Student must obtain permission from the program chair.) |
3,3 |
Electives (12 credits)
Four electives required for master’s; one elective required for certification/no degree.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires ALL certification candidates after May 2013 to have completed 9 credits in Special Education and 3 credits in teaching English Language Learners. If the student's transcript does not show completion of these requirements upon official evaluation, the following courses must be taken as electives:
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Foundations in Inclusive Education |
3 |
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Assessment in Inclusive Education |
3 |
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Effective Instruction in Inclusive Education |
3 |
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Addressing the Needs of English Language Learners |
3 |
Courses preceded with an F indicate that a field experience is part of the course requirements.
The degree requirements for the Master of Education with Pennsylvania Certification as Reading Specialist are 36 credits, which include the core requirements, electives, and culminating experience; other credits may be required depending on the student’s particular background and experiences.
