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Master of Science in Education: Literacy

Get on Track for Reading Intervention Roles

Online literacy program

Transfer up to 12 graduate credits

Program includes 2 electives

No GRE requirement

Learn More Today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

  • Duration As few as 12 months
  • Cost per Credit $559
  • Credit Hours 26

Program Benefits

  • Prepare to earn your Reading Intervention endorsement
  • Foster literacy growth in a culturally responsive, equitable manner
  • Receive one-on-one coaching from your faculty and advisors

Provide Targeted Literacy Instruction to Empower Young Readers

About 4 out of 10 children in U.S. schools do not possess basic reading skills.1 To prepare for roles focusing on reversing that trend, begin the online Master of Science in Education: Literacy program from Eastern Oregon University. Our expert faculty will help you build skills for nurturing literacy engagement in PK-12 schools. Moreover, this program appeals to teachers wanting to earn their master’s degree in literacy in a flexible online format.

Reading Intervention Endorsement Details

Curriculum: Literacy Concentration

Online courses

Finish in 12 – 36 months

36 quarter credit hours

This concentration is ideal for educators interested in earning a master’s degree in education that specializes in literacy, as the courses prepare you to develop reading strategies and curriculum materials that impart reading competencies in PK-12 settings. Throughout the program, you will delve into literacy leadership, adolescent literacy and strategies for meeting the learning needs of students. In addition to the core and concentration courses, you can choose two electives to tailor your education to your career goals. Students interested in pursuing an endorsement in reading intervention must complete a dual concentration in literacy and dyslexia.

Required Courses

An examination of literature and how it can be utilized to support literacy engagement and growth in PK-12 contexts in a culturally responsive and equitable manner. Prerequisite: Student must have graduate standing to register for this course.

An examination of literacy leadership to advocate for and enact improvement to reading strategies,
curriculum materials, and literate environments at the PK-12 school or district level in a culturally
responsive and equitable manner.

An in depth exploration of adolescent literacy with an emphasis on implications for instruction and learning environments to facilitate growth in middle school and high school context in a culturally responsive and equitable manner. Prerequisite: Student must have graduate standing to register for this course.

This course covers the foundations of literacy development and introduces the participant to the nature and needs of students with dyslexia. The focus of this course in on how dyslexia impacts learning to read and write. Student must have graduate standing to register for this course.

This course addresses the neurobiological aspects and origins of dyslexia, and its effect on language and literacy development. The variations in development of language and literacy elements within students with and without dyslexia will be discussed. Linguistic structures and their influence on the English language, as well as the impact of these structures on dyslexia, will also be addressed. In addition, the course will cover the history of the field of dyslexia, relevant laws, and the polices in place as a result of current legislation.

View Program Curriculum

Close the Literacy Gap for Students in Your School

Teacher shortages have created learning gaps for students needing additional reading instruction.2 This shortfall could increase demand for educators who have completed online literacy master’s programs that align with the needs of learners today. In EOU’s online M.S. in Education: Literacy program, you can make a positive impact in PK-12 classrooms by enhancing your reading instruction or preparing to focus on reading intervention full time in your career.

Elementary School Teacher $82,260 Avg. annual salary (Oregon)3

Reading Intervention Specialist $78,037 Avg. annual salary (Oregon)4

Customize Your Area of Study

Tailor your education by selecting one or more of the following concentrations, helping you achieve your personalized career goals.

Master of Science in Education: Dyslexia

Learn to perform interventions and assessments focusing on literacy development to create empowering learning environments for children with dyslexia.

Master of Science in Education: ESOL

This online program prepares you to teach second language learners and enables licensed teachers in Oregon to seek an ESOL endorsement.

Master of Science in Education: Special Education

Build expertise in special education assessments and procedures. You can also prepare to earn a Special Education endorsement.

Master of Science in Education: Trauma in Educational Communities

Oregon teachers can prepare to create trauma-informed classrooms and pursue a specialization in Trauma in Educational Communities after graduation.

Master of Science in Education: Career & Technical Education

Help students discover their passions through specialized education in business, culinary arts, automotive, graphic design, engineering and more.

Master of Science in Education: Environmental Education

Learn how to create impactful outdoor learning experiences for outdoor schools, after-school programs, field days and scholastic gardens and farms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.

We accept up to 12 graduate credits for previous college coursework, which must be approved based on alignment with this program’s requirements. Transferring credits can help lower the tuition cost and time required to complete the program. Visit the tuition page to review the program costs.

The M.S. in Education is not an initial licensure program and does not lead to a teaching license in any state. However, if you are already a licensed teacher in Oregon, certain concentrations prepare you to pursue endorsements. The ESOL, Literacy, and Special Education concentrations can lead to Oregon endorsement recommendations, and the Trauma in Educational Communities concentration prepares you for a specialization. To receive an endorsement recommendation, you must already hold an Oregon teaching license. Teachers from other states should contact their state department of education to determine if the program meets their state’s endorsement requirements.

The M.S. in Education practicum experiences vary by concentration. For example, the Literacy concentration, Reading Intervention endorsement requires a 90-hour practicum in a working classroom setting. These hands-on experiences allow you to apply your learning in real educational environments while working toward your degree. The practicum component provides valuable experience even for those who don’t have prior teaching experience. Learn more on the program courses page.

Yes, you can change your concentration after enrolling in the M.S. in Education: Environmental Education program. However, each concentration includes distinct courses, so your program duration may be extended if you make changes after completing some courses.

Additionally, students may choose to pursue multiple concentrations, if they wish. Selecting more than one concentration will automatically fulfill elective requirements. To change or add additional concentrations, students should contact the program coordinator, who will assist with updating their degree plan.

To explore the courses for each concentration, visit the courses page.

The online M.S. in Education can be completed in as little as 12 months if you attend full-time, or you can extend your studies to a part-time schedule. The program requires 36 quarter credit hours total, including 15 credits in the teacher-researcher core. The flexible online format is designed specifically for working professionals who need to balance their education with career and personal commitments. View the complete curriculum and course sequence to plan your path.

Students attending Eastern Oregon University can pursue a variety of scholarships. To review the current options, visit the scholarships section.

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Sources

  1. National Literacy Institute. “Literacy Statistics 2022-2023.” Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/post/literacy-statistics-2022-2023.
  2. Education Week. “Staffing Shortages Are Hurting Students Who Need Extra Reading Support.” Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/staffing-shortages-are-hurting-students-who-need-extra-reading-support/2022/01.
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (Oregon).” Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes_or.htm.
  4. Salary.com. “Reading Intervention Specialist Salary in Oregon.” Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/hiring/reading-intervention-specialist-salary/or.