Reading Specialist

Program Facts

Delivery Method:

Online

Start Term:

All

Completion Time:

12-18 Months

Credits:

12-30

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About Our Reading Specialist Program

Slippery Rock University’s M.Ed. in Reading Specialist prepares educators to become literacy leaders in PK–12 school settings. Graduates are equipped for roles such as classroom reading teacher, Title I reading specialist, intervention specialist, study skills specialist, or literacy consultant. Upon successful completion of the program and a passing score on the Praxis II Reading Specialist exam, candidates are eligible for Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification, a requirement for all Title I reading teachers in the state.

Why Get a Reading Specialist Degree?

What You’ll Gain

Build deep literacy expertise across PK–12 levels, including Structured Literacy strategies.
Support your colleagues by coaching classroom teachers and strengthening school-wide reading instruction.
Take the lead in literacy initiatives at the school, district, or community level.
Expand your career options as a certified reading specialist, literacy coach, or reading interventionist.
Fulfill key professional milestones such as Level II Certification, Act 48 credits, and earning your M.Ed.

Why SRU Works for You

Take flexible, high-quality courses designed to fit your teaching schedule.
Learn from expert faculty with doctoral degrees and deep experience in literacy education.
Enjoy personal attention through small class sizes and meaningful interaction with instructors.

Accredited. Respected. Proven.

Slippery Rock University's Reading Specialist Program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This accreditation is the gold standard for teacher preparation programs, which means our curriculum has been rigorously reviewed by professionals and meets the highest national standards for excellence. Graduating from a CAEP-accredited institution gives you a competitive edge, showing school districts that you're a highly qualified educator who is well-prepared to lead a modern, effective classroom.

Career Outcomes

Earning a Master of Education in Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching opens the door to critical leadership roles in literacy education. This unique dual-credential program prepares you not only to work directly with students as a certified reading specialist but also to lead and support your colleagues as an instructional coach. Graduates are highly sought after by school districts for their expertise in evidence-based literacy practices, curriculum design, and teacher mentorship, positioning them to drive significant improvements in reading and writing instruction school-wide. This degree prepares you for advanced roles such as:

Reading Specialist (PK-12)
Literacy Coach or Instructional Coach
Title I Reading Teacher or Interventionist
Literacy Curriculum Coordinator for a school or district
Lead Teacher for English Language Arts
Reading Department Chairperson
Professional Development provider for literacy strategies

Requirements

What are the admission requirements for this program at SRU? Check out the requirements in the dropdowns of this section!

Program Director / Coordinator

Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Christine Walsh
Elementary Education
724.738.4889
christine.walsh@sru.edu

When are applications accepted?

Email graduate.admissions@sru.edu or call 724.738.2051 for information regarding this program’s graduate application deadlines.

What are all of the admissions requirements?

Applicants to the graduate reading programs must already hold a valid teaching certificate. To be considered for admission to any of the reading programs, the following materials must be submitted with the online graduate application and a non-refundable application fee:

Official undergraduate degree transcript with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and any graduate transcripts
A resume indicating the candidate’s professional education employment history and current status (student-teaching, tenured, non-tenured; full-time, part-time, substitute) with a school district
A copy of the applicant’s current teaching certification(s) or a letter from the certifying university indicating that requirements for a teaching certification have been met and that the certification application is currently being processed. This can be from any state. Note: The reading specialist certification can only be added to an instructional certificate, not an educational specialist certificate
Two electronic recommendation forms: two from a professional or one from a professional and one from a faculty member Applicants who do not meet all of the listed criteria may be offered conditional admission upon recommendation of the graduate coordinator and approval by the director of Graduate Admissions

Please note: For more information, visit www.sru.edu/graduate. Transfer course evaluation information can be found on our graduate website.

Resources from SRU

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

Reading Specialist (M.Ed.)