Potential Careers
- Reading specialist
- Reading tutor
- K–12 literacy teacher
- Author
- Literacy entrepreneur
Master's Degree & Certification
Reading Education (MEd)
Build and enrich your literacy teaching capabilities through Widener’s reading education master’s program.
At a Glance
Click to OpenOffered as
Master's
Certification
Format
Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
Credits
Master's: 36
Certification: 27
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Reading Education MEd Degree & Certification
By pursuing a master's in reading education at Widener, you’ll learn the current methodologies, techniques, and technologies for effectively teaching your students to read efficiently. Our program emphasizes academic excellence, collaboration, diversity, and lifelong learning for application in the classroom or clinical environment.
You and your fellow graduate students will bring knowledge and work experience to the program while you build and implement effective literacy programs based on current pedagogy and research. You can also earn a reading specialist certification and literacy coach certification through the program.
Program Options
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Our courses are offered in a flexible format designed specifically for working educators. To accommodate your schedule and lifestyle, you can attend the program part- or full-time. We also offer online and hybrid course instruction, as well as evening classes held once a week.
The 27-credit reading specialist certification program is designed to further prepare practicing teachers to enhance literacy education. Courses focus on such topics as comprehension development, word analysis, vocabulary development, assessment, and corrective instruction of reading difficulties.
The courses in this program matriculate into the reading education masters program. Upon completion of this certificate program, graduates are eligible for Pennsylvania Department of Education certification.
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The Center for Education offers certified reading specialists a Pre-K-12 Instructional Coach endorsement certificate through a peer coaching framework in Pre-K–12 classrooms. You can also opt to become an Instructional Coach, or choose to specialize in Literacy (Instructional Coaching-Literacy Emphasis Endorsement).
The Instructional Coaching Endorsement is available for reading specialists who desire to further strengthen their professional knowledge and skills in instructional coaching. Widener University’s Instructional Coaching Program will be based on current Pennsylvania Standards Aligned Curriculum and address the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Instructional Coach Endorsement Competencies as well as The International Literacy Association’s (ILA) Standards for Reading Professionals—Revised 2010.
The 12-credit Instructional Coaching Endorsement Program will consist of a sequence of four graduate courses with a minimum of 45 hours of field experiences. It will be possible for candidates to meet this requirement within one year.
This program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
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Each state/jurisdiction has requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure and/or certification to teach. It is the student’s responsibility to seek appropriate guidance before beginning any academic program. If you intend to seek certification outside of Pennsylvania, the University recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to obtain specific licensure/certification requirements per state and the most up-to-date information.
To view Widener’s licensure eligibility by state/jurisdiction, please visit the Center for Education: Program Licensure page.
Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study Reading Education at Widener?
Enrich your career with the most current literacy teaching knowledge and techniques to help you support your students’ reading skills.
A Professional Learning Community
You will take courses as part of a professional learning community, where your knowledge and work experience are integrated others. You'll have the fast-track to developing leadership, consultative, and collaborative skills.
Experiential & Field-Based Learning
At Widener, you will build on your professional reputation and gain the skills to effectively teach literacy and reading through integrated experiential and field-based learning opportunities. You’ll work closely with area children doing coursework, culminating with a summer reading practicum, facilitating language development and literacy success.
Mentoring Relationships & Individualized Attention
Our faculty are committed to education excellence, scholarship, and service, They will work closely with you on research projects that transform theory into practice. With our small class sizes, you’ll receive individual attention from well-qualified and respected faculty who will help you construct a foundation for career enrichment and success in the field of literacy education.
Clubs & Organizations
Reading Education majors have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations across and outside of campus to expand their network, including Alpha Upsilon Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, and many more.
Our Faculty
"My teaching focuses upon cognitive processing and application. In this regard, critical literacy complements the cognitive learning process. Critical literacy is the ability to actively read a text that promotes an understanding of social concepts and human relationships."
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
- Completed online application
- $35 application fee
- Official transcripts from all previous graduate and undergraduate programs
- Two letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or college professors
- Interview with a faculty advisor
- Personal statement:
- Please describe your experiences as an educational leader, what you hope to gain from advanced studies, and a brief description of your current dissertation research interests
Additional requirements for dissertation completion students:
- Resume or CV
- For your two letters of recommendation:
- At least one letter must be from a faculty member in the student's former program, preferably from the dissertation chair or academic advisor. Letter must indicate that the student was in good academic standing when they left the program.
- Letters must address the student's writing ability, academic ability, and work ethic
- For your official transcripts:
- Include transcripts with master's degree conferral
- Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their former doctoral programs
- Academic writing sample, such as a current draft of the student's dissertation or a paper
- Writing sample must be at least 10 pages long
- Personal statement indicating the following:
- The student's research interests
- The current status of the student's dissertation
- Widener faculty the student is interested in working with as Dissertation Chair
We have rolling admissions, so you may enter the program in any semester.
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Graduate Assistantships
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Program cost for dissertation completion students will be 12-credits minimum at the graduate tuition rate.
Center for Education
-
503 East 13th Street
Chester, PA 19013
- 610-499-4345
Kat LeConey
Assistant Director of Admissions & Enrollment
-
Hyatt Hall, Office #320
- (610) 499-1388
- ksleconey@widener.edu
Katia Ciampa
Director of Reading Programs
-
503 E. 13th Street
Chester, PA 19013
Room 213
- (610) 499-4652
- kciampa@widener.edu