Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > MA in Secondary Education (Reading Specialist)

Master of Arts (MA) in
Secondary Education (Reading Specialist P-12 Certification)

Online

Program Overview

The University of Alabama offers a master’s in Secondary Education (Reading Specialist P-12 Certification) in a 100% online format for your convenience. This program will prepare you to work with a range of reading abilities and needs, including multisensory approaches to instruction and assessment tools to effectively monitor student performance.

Program Format
Online
Credit Hours
30
Tuition Per Hour
$440

Help Students Excel at Reading

The Reading Specialist curriculum offers guidance in theory, application, assessment and implementation of research-based instruction. Students gain knowledge through a supervised practicum experience in language and curriculum development, language arts, reading assessment and more. This hands-on program will teach you to develop the instructional strategies necessary to be an effective P-12 reading specialist.

The 100% online format is designed for full-time professionals, so you can pursue your master’s while working. The degree can lead to careers including reading teacher, private tutor, standardized test developer, P-12 education consultant and more.

Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round
Fees$10 College of Education graduate fee (per credit hour)
AccreditationCouncil for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Required For EntranceBachelor's-level teaching certificate and two years of teaching experience
PracticumYes

Curriculum

The MA in Secondary Education (Reading Specialist Certification) consists of 30 to 33 credit hours. Please note that courses are subject to change.

CIE 577 Second Language Acquisition
CRD 510 Expanding Reading
CRD 511 Beginning Reading in Pre-K and Primary Grades
CRD 590 Seminar in Literacy Coaching
CRD 593 Practicum in Literacy Coaching – covers students in a variety of grade levels
CRD 595 Practicum in Reading – covering pre-K through second grade
CRD 654 Re-Envisioning Reading Assessment and Instruction
CRD 695 Advanced Practicum in Reading Education – covering third through sixth grade
CRD 696 Advanced Reading Specialist Practicum – covering middle and high school students
BER 500 Introduction to Educational Research or BER 550 Evaluation of Classroom Learning (only for those who have not taken an evaluation of classroom learning course)
Special education survey course (if not previously completed)

All courses are offered online.

In order to receive master’s level Reading Specialist P-12 certification, individuals must hold bachelor’s level certification and complete the course requirements, including 300 clock-hours of supervised practicum. Additionally, students must pass a comprehensive exam and the Praxis for Reading Specialist.

Admission

Admission to the Master of Arts in Secondary Education (Reading Specialist P-12 Certification) degree program requires the following:

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Transcripts from all institutions attended
A valid bachelor’s level professional educator certificate
- If the professional educator certificate is in the area of Early Childhood, Elementary or Special Education (Collaborative K-6), applicants must have also passed the Praxis for Teaching Reading
Two full years of full-time K-12 classroom teaching experience, verified on the notarized Supplement EXP form*
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 average for the last 60 hours in a degree program, or a 3.0 or higher in a completed graduate degree program
Statement of purpose
Completed UA Graduate School application
Completed requirements for fingerprinting/background clearance
Three letters of recommendationdescribing the applicant’s teaching ability and potential for leadership in literacy instruction
- Recommendation letters must be from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant’s academic and professional capabilities for all College of Education programs that lead to professional certification

Applications are accepted each semester. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring or summer semester.

This program leads to Alabama Class A certification in Secondary Education (Reading Specialist P-12). If you reside or intend to seek professional licensure outside of the state of Alabama, please review the requirements for that state prior to applying to this program.

The programs listed in the current UA Graduate Catalog that lead to Alabama Class A and Class AA professional certificates may be altered to meet certification standards adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education.

Experience must be verified on the notarized Supplement EXP form. Applicants should complete Page 1. The current and/or previous school system(s) (usually the HR department) should complete Page 2. The original form should be mailed to:

The University of Alabama College of Education
ATTN: Dawn Bryant
Box 870231
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231

Questions related to acceptable experience or certification should be directed to Dawn Bryant, Graduate Admissions and Certification Coordinator, at debryant@ua.edu.