Build and enrich your literacy teaching capabilities through Widener’s reading education master’s program.
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.
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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.
We have rolling admissions, so you may enter the program in any semester.
Enrich your career with the most current literacy teaching knowledge and techniques to help you support your students’ reading skills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"My interests include brain development, literacy development, and applications of technology in research and instruction. My greatest excitement in teaching comes from the way that working with graduate students spills over to my teaching of undergraduates and vice versa."
"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."
503 East 13th Street
Chester, PA 19013
503 E. 13th Street
Chester, PA 19013
Room 213
