COE: Curriculum & Instruction
   Additional Information

Masters in Reading

Please note that the three master's programs offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction do not lead toward teacher certification. Teacher certification for grades K-9 can only be obtained through a first or second bachelor's degree.

For those teachers with a focus in reading and writing, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a Master of Science in Education in Reading degree. Illinois State offers an intensive and highly competitive program in reading instruction.

Read the Organization of Teacher Educators in Reading's Journal of Reading Education.

Objective

The Master of Science in Education in Reading (M.S. Ed. in Reading) at Illinois State is intended for educators teaching reading and writing in kindergarten through 12th grade. Candidates entering the program have backgrounds in elementary education, junior high or secondary English/language arts, special education, or early childhood education. The reading program will prepare candidates to plan reading and writing curriculum, implement language-centered instructional strategies, and design effective programs of reading and writing assessment, and design professional development in literacy.

Admission Requirements

The department offers the M.S. Ed. in Reading. Applicants to the Master's Degree Program in Reading Education may be considered for admission by having obtained a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work, possessing a current teaching certificate, and completing at least two years of teaching experience. All candidates must purchase LiveText©. The following course assisgnments are required to be loaded into LiveText©:

461 6A: Critical Responses
468 6D: Class History
461 6C: Reading Issues Paper
469 6A: Curricular Change Plan
462 6B Theoretical Model Paper
469 6B: Research Presentation
463 6A: Case Study
469 6C: Research Article
465 6B: Portfolio of Literacy Strategies
470.01 6A: Reading Record
465 6C: Staff Development Plan
470.01 6F: Curriculum Research Paper
467 6B: Literacy Profile
493.03 6B: Writing Workshop Project
468 6B: Review of Literature
493.03 6C: Writing Assessment Project

Probationary Admission

If an applicant's GPA for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work is below a 3.0, the applicant may be considered for probationary admission by taking nine semester hours of required course work and obtaining a 3.3 GPA, or by submitting a combined verbal and quantitative score on the GRE of at least 1000.

Program Requirements and Plan of Study

The M.S. Ed. In Reading is a 36-hour program that includes a comprehensive examination and a six hour Professional Research experience. The following courses are required: C&I 461, 462, 463, 465, 467, 468, 469, 470.01, 493.03 and six hours of graduate electives in the College of Education will be accepted for the Plan of Study.

Master's in Reading Plan of Study

Important Information for Current Reading Program Students

Orientation Manual for Graduate Students
Are you finishing
this degree program next semester? If so, please look at the Graduate School's webpage containing important deadlines for filing your Plan of Study, degree completion application and any other requirements at http://www.grad.ilstu.edu/completion/

Reading Teacher Endorsement

The Illinois State Board of Education has identified six areas of study required of all teachers whose major teaching assignment is reading. All teachers assigned departmentalized responsibility in reading or language arts must meet this 24 semester hour requirement. The reading program offers all course work leading to the endorsement of a reading teacher.

Reading Specialist Certificate

Course work leading to the Reading Specialist Certificate is offered in the Reading Program.  The program leading to the Reading Specialist Certificate requires the completion of 36 semester hours in reading and related educational areas. Students working on the Reading Specialist Certificate must first have a current teaching certificate.

Program Contacts

Contact Office Phone E-mail
Coordinator: Dr. Ellen Spycher DeGarmo 318 (309) 438-8051
Advisor: Dr. Lara Handsfield DeGarmo 315 (309) 438-3745
Advisor: Dr. Beatrice Smith DeGarmo 311 (309) 438-3008
Advisor: Dr. Linda Wedwick DeGarmo 314 (309) 438-8863
Secretary:  Reah Martin DeGarmo 232 (309) 438-8992

 

Realizing the Democratic Ideal

As with the other departments within the College of Education, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction promotes and follows "Realizing the Democratic Ideal", the conceptual framework for all teacher education programs at Illinois State University.

Link to Center for Reading and Literacy