Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching Endorsement Literacy

Program Facts

Delivery Method:

Online

Start Term:

All

Completion Time:

12-18 Months

Credits:

12-33

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About Our Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching Program

Slippery Rock University’s M.Ed. in Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching prepares educators to lead literacy instruction across PK–12 settings. Graduates are equipped for roles such as classroom reading teacher, Title I reading Specialist, literacy coach, intervention specialist, and more. The program also qualifies candidates for Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification upon passing the Praxis II exam, a requirement for all Title I reading teachers in the state. With a focus on both instructional practice and coaching strategies, this program builds the expertise needed to support diverse learners and drive school-wide literacy improvement.

Why Get a Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching Degree?

What You’ll Gain

Strengthen your literacy expertise across PK–12 levels, including Structured Literacy practices.
Add valuable credentials to your existing certification—earn both the Reading Specialist certification and an endorsement in Instructional Coaching with a literacy emphasis.
Lead literacy efforts by designing professional development, coaching teachers, and guiding school or district-wide initiatives.
Open new career doors as a reading specialist, literacy coach, or instructional leader.
Meet professional goals while fulfilling requirements for Level II Certification, Act 48, or earning your M.Ed.

Why SRU’s Program Works for You

Enjoy flexible, high-quality courses designed for working educators.
Learn from experienced faculty with doctoral degrees and deep expertise in literacy education.
Benefit from small class sizes that offer personal attention and meaningful faculty interaction.

Accredited. Respected. Proven.

Slippery Rock University's Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching 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
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.

Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching (M.Ed. + Endorsement)