Description of the Program

A focus on how to support literacy learning, teach struggling readers, facilitate professional development of reading teachers, and diagnose and respond to literacy challenges encountered by students. Students in this program are required to complete an internship during the entire program. This internship may be completed "on the job" but students must meet with the faculty advisor during the first semester to plan the internship. 

Admission Requirements

  • A valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate in early childhood education, elementary education, or collaborative special education (K-6) and two full years of full-time classroom teaching experience; or
  • A valid bachelor’s-level professional educator certificate in any area of education, two full years of full-time classroom teaching experience, and a passing score on the Praxis II Teaching of Reading test validated for use in Alabama;
  • Pass the GRE/MAT requirements, OR have 3 years of successful teaching, OR 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA, OR other master's degree.

How to Apply


To be considered for admission to all subjects/concentrations of the Master’s of Education program, applicants must complete the following steps:

  1. Create your Charger Status account and submit the UAH graduate application for admission.
  2. Submit official college transcript to the UAH Graduate Admissions Office through an electronic delivery service. UAH Graduate Admissions accepts official transcripts from Parchment and Student Clearinghouse.
  3. Upload the following items directly to your application through Charger Status.
    • Personal Statement
    • Valid ALSDE Teaching Certificate (certificates from other states may be considered)
    • Resume/CV – Only required for students applying to the Reading Specialist (P-12) concentration.
  4. Please note, a GRE or MAT score may be required upon the review of your application.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses = 4 courses (12 hours)

ED 530

Applied Multiculturalism

3 hours

Online

Through an examination of constructs such as race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation, students will develop a theoretical understanding of the connections between identity, difference, power, and privilege and the role(s) schools (could/should) play in perpetuating or ending discriminatory practices. Furthermore and importantly, students will develop an understanding of the ways research in both the humanities and social sciences can be used to interpret, analyze, and critique multiculturalism.

ED 535

Introduction to Applied Educational Research

3 hours

Online

Introduction to the nature of research and its relationship to educational thought and practice. Primary focus will be on planning and executing research activities(i.e. action research, thesis development) in the diverse classroom and analyzing the collected data to improve instruction, educational performance and adding to the body of knowledge on educational practices.

ED 540

Advanced Cognitive Psychology

3 hours

Online

Designed to inform students about recent developments in Cognitive Psychology and their implications for teaching and learning. Students will leave ED 565 with a variety of “cognitive understandings” for use in differentiated classrooms.

ED 565

Introduction to Differentiated Instruction

3 hours

Online

Provides an introduction to the philosophy and practice of differentiation. Examines the elements, content, process, product, affect and learning environment, by which instruction can be differentiated to address the complex challenges of meeting the diverse learning needs of all students.

Concentration Courses = 6 courses (18 hours)

ED 510

Foundations of Literacy

3 hours

Online

This course includes a study of methods, materials, and strategies for reading instruction. Components of the course will include but not be limited to the five pillars of reading instruction identified by the National Reading Panel (2000): phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Emphasis is placed on the various stages of and approaches to literacy development, knowledge of which is required for the Alabama Reading Specialist licensure.

ED 605

Reading Research & Instruction

3 hours

Online
Elements of effective reading instruction for beginning readers as supported by current research and practice. Topics include balance, language-rich/print-rich environment, language development, phonemic awareness, print awareness, phonics, writing, spelling, and comprehension.

ED 608

Expanding Reading Ability Through Content Area Instruction

3 hours

Online
Strategies to enhance reading comprehension when using materials in all subject areas. Teacher-directed, integrated instruction; extensive use of authentic printed materials; discussion at literal and higher levels of understanding, motivation, vocabulary, and writing. Field experience required.

ED 612

Diagnosis and Assessment of Reading

3 hours

Online
Focuses on ways to address the needs of students who do not read at grade level. Intervention strategies such as on-going assessment and evaluation, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics, extensive practice, comprehension strategies, and writing, along with careful examination of standardized state assessment measures. Field experience required.

ED 665

Differentiated Elementary Literacy

3 hours

Online
This course will focus on guiding the learner to apply the concepts of differentiated instruction to elementary literacy concepts. Advanced teacher candidates will develop and implement differentiated instructional plans that utilize individual and flexible grouping strategies and resources to support the growth of strategic, independent readers and writers.

ED 696

Reading Education Internship

3 hours

Online
Placement in an internship of at least 300 clock hours as required for state licensure. This course includes observations by a university supervisor and a case study of one or more students receiving specialized literacy instruction.

Action Research Project = 1 course (3 hours)

ED 690

Master's Action Research Project

3 hours

Online

After the completion of the courses, advanced candidates will complete a summative action research project. Working with an individual faculty member, the action research will be planned, completed, and presented for the department.

Additional Information