Literacy Education

You will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be certified as a K-12 reading specialist, literary coach, reading teacher or instructional coordinators (also known as curriculum specialists). Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards and develop, implement and assess instructional material. They evaluate the effectiveness of curriculums and teaching techniques established by school boards, states, or federal regulations. These professionals observe teachers in the classroom, review student test data, discuss the curriculum with the school staff and recommend changes in curriculums to the school board based on their research. Instructional coordinators also may conduct training for teachers related to teaching or technology, explain new learning standards to teachers and demonstrate effective teaching methods to achieve them. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates job growth of 13% through 2022 for instructional coordinators who specialize in reading. This is slightly higher than the average growth expected across all occupations.

What You'll Learn

Throughout the program you'll complete a core of literacy courses including such areas as children's literature, diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties, organizing and administering a reading program and foundations of teaching reading. Through a weekly reading clinic that meets for two semester you'll diagnose reading difficulties, assess reading skills of students whose parents want them to receive extra support, and work with these students to raise their reading level.

The 12- credit, online Post-bachelor certificate in Literacy Education is developed from four courses that exist within the current Master of Education degree, specifically within the concentration in Literacy Education.  This certificate is specifically designed to provide a pathway for those candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, elementary or secondary education to meet the endorsement requirements for reading teacher according to COMAR 13a.12.03.06.

Students who successfully complete the Post-bachelor certificate may continue in the M.Ed. program to complete a master's degree in Literacy Education.

Our Alumni

Our education curriculum and instruction concentration graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers in regional and national school systems.