The Master of Science in Literacy Education meets the current and changing needs of regional teachers and school systems as they strive to upgrade professional skills and teaching effectiveness.
Literacy is the cornerstone of all learning, and this degree is designed to prepare teachers to implement best practices in literacy teaching and learning through collaboration, reflection, critical thinking, coaching, data analysis and authentic assessments, and is flexible enough to adapt to individual school or teacher needs.
Our concentration areas allow teachers to thoroughly focus on the literacy areas most meaningful to them. The concentrations include:
- Literacy Education, Early Literacy Concentration (M.S.)
- Literacy Education, Individualized Design Concentration (M.S.)
- Literacy Education, Reading Concentration Licensure Track (M.S.)
- Literacy Education, Reading Concentration Non-licensure Track (M.S.)
- Literacy Education, Writing Concentration (M.S.)
The individualized design concentration allows you to take a variety of courses from the other concentrations. The concentration courses use research-based best practices to inform the teachers’ decisions, provide guidance in addressing problems they will encounter in educational roles, and present opportunities to inspire change in the environment in which they work.
Learn More About This Program
Shenandoah University’s Division of Education & Leadership prepares practitioner-leaders by offering programs of study that conform to the following principles: practicing in a spirit of collaboration; thoughtful examination of the foundations, current contexts and future possibilities of the fields of study; encouraging proactive, problem-centered philosophies of educational and professional practice; producing graduates who will be knowledge-driven, competent decision-makers whose thinking is informed by reflective practice; and preparing caring, capable and reflective teachers, administrators, human services and public sectors practitioners.
Our master’s and doctoral programs are unique in their emphasis on the application of theory to real-world problems and lived experiences. Administration and Supervision Licensure and Teacher Education Licensure programs have each earned accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Classes
The Master of Science in Literacy Education is a teacher-oriented, 30-credit-hour program that addresses the complex field of literacy by offering three core literacy courses for all participants and a choice of concentrations in writing, reading, and early childhood education, with each course of study designed to explore literacy areas in depth.
The degree requirement is the completion of a 30-semester hour program with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Requirements include the 9-credit Literacy Core and one of the concentrations for 21 credits. One class must be designated a Residency Course.
Residency Courses are summer classes synergistically grouped with the Children’s Literature Conference, the Shenandoah Valley Writing Project/Project Write, Inc. and the Reading Clinic. These include weeks of instruction involving collaborative teams designing literacy lessons and implementing best practice strategies and technologies while working with partner schools’ children in summer programs to improve literacy scores and reduce “summer decline” in reading and writing.
Reading Specialist Endorsement
Teachers interested in obtaining Virginia’s Reading Specialist endorsement must have three years’ teaching experience, finish all courses in the Reading Concentration, as well as pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam and complete the master’s degree. Teachers interested in obtaining Virginia’s add-on endorsement in Early Childhood Education must be currently licensed in Elementary or Special Education teaching. (For details, refer to the current Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel Guidelines on the VDOE website.)
Faculty
Our accomplished and caring faculty serve as mentors beyond the classroom. As a team, they prepare you to serve as a compassionate educator, critical thinker and ethical leader. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that enable faculty members to provide individualized attention and nurture your academic and professional development.
Application Information
Shenandoah University’s Division Of Education & Leadership provides inquiry-driven, problem-oriented examinations of public education and organizations.
View application deadlines and submit your Shenandoah Application.
Education Application Information
Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree prior to admission to the program. Applicants for graduate degrees in education are required to submit satisfactory grades in prior undergraduate coursework, and may be required to submit scores on standardized tests.
Applicants for Virginia licensure concentrations must hold the appropriate and valid teaching license. International applicants must meet Shenandoah University admissions and language certification requirements.
State Reciprocity – SARA
Shenandoah University is a member of NC-SARA, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. View the licensure requirements for out-of-state students enrolling in Shenandoah programs leading to licensure. Click on the tab at the bottom of the screen to locate your program. Note that these requirements are subject to change. Please contact your program with questions.
