The Master's Degree program in Reading Education is designed to prepare reading practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for effective teaching of reading, the development of reading programs, and literacy coaching at the elementary and secondary school levels. The program provides an affordable and flexible option for full-time teachers to earn their master's degree, increase their salary, and gain valuable skills for strengthening reading and literacy practices in K-12 classrooms.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to conduct and disseminate research. Extensive course offerings allow the graduate student to pursue research in areas of interest, which, in almost all courses, will include intensive reviews of literature, selected field experiences in reading programs in public or private schools, and assignment to other private or governmental agencies that provide educational services to clients. Additionally, candidates also tutor children in a supervised practicum setting to gain experience in the diagnosis and remediation of reading problems and engage in a field-based reading specialist/literacy coaching experience in their local school division or school of employment.
This program leads to certification as a Reading Specialist in the State of Virginia. In order to receive certification, candidates must pass the state reading exam titled Reading For Virginia Educators (RVE), pass all coursework, and have three years experiences teaching full time with reading as a major part of that teaching.
The Reading Endorsement only is no longer offered at ODU.
The application deadline for the Fall Semester is June 1st and for the Spring Semester is November 1st.
The MSED in Reading is offered completely online, in hybrid formats, as well as face-to-face. Students are required to spend NO time on campus to participate in this program.
Program Highlights
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30-credit hour program (Estimated completion: 3-4 semesters)
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Asynchronous and synchronous course formats
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Supervised practicum (in your local school division)
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Affordable and state-competitive tuition
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Focus on linguistic and cultural diversity
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CAEP accredited
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No GRE/MAT scores required
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors
Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in remedial education classes, preparatory classes for the General Educational Development test, literacy, or English as a Second Language. Teaching may or may not take place in a traditional educational institution.
Instructional Coordinators
Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology in specialized fields that provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
Alumni Careers
Requirements
Candidates seeking admission to the Reading Program must:
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Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
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Have a renewable initial teaching license in Virginia prior to beginning this program. In Virginia this is called a Collegiate Professional License or a Post-Graduate Professional License.
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Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in the major; (A student whose GPA does not meet this requirement may still be provisionally accepted pending the application but must make an A or A- in the first four graduate-level reading courses to remain in the program.);
For Admission to the Reading Specialist Endorsement Program
an essay on why you would like to become a reading specialist; two recommendations from professional sources one being a supervisor (a link is available in the application); a copy of your 5-Year renewal teaching license; OFFICIAL copies of all transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework (for ODU coursework, just submit an unofficial copy for the application)
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Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Tuition Discounts
25% cohort tuition discount for classroom teachers
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