BS in Elementary Education: Teaching Reading Emphasis
BS in Elementary Education: Teaching Reading Emphasis
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Prepare to pursue a teaching role with a solid foundation in teaching reading to elementary education students today. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor.
Throughout your academic journey, you will have the opportunity to develop competencies in various crucial aspects of elementary education, including development, learning, motivation, curriculum content instruction, assessment and professionalism.
Areas of study covered in GCU’s reading specialist courses include:
Foundational literacy skills and phonics
Methods and strategies for reading instruction
Assessment and remediation of reading proficiency
Research-based reading development and interventions
Diagnosis and remediation of reading proficiencies
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 International Reading Associates (n.d.). Roles of the Reading Specialist. Reading Rockets. Retrieved on July 10, 2023.
2 Planbook (n.d.). Meet Your Teaching Team: The Role of Reading Specialists in Schools. Retrieved on July 10, 2023.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022, Oct. 4). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers. Retrieved on July 10, 2022.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers as of May 2021, retrieved on July 20, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading at Grand Canyon University is designed for those who wish to pursue a career as an elementary teacher and take the steps to earning their initial teacher licensure. The reading specialist courses are taught by professionals who offer additional reading instruction that supports the processes of reading diagnosis, remediation and intervention. If becoming an elementary reading teacher excites you, this may be a good education path for you.
A reading specialist is a professional with advanced experience in teaching reading and who helps children improve their reading abilities individually or as part of a group.1
Reading specialists have in-depth knowledge of:
This specialty often requires additional certifications beyond an elementary teaching license to provide supplemental instruction for students who need additional practice.2
If teaching reading in elementary education is something that interests you, consider pursuing this BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading degree. We understand this is a big commitment, so we’ve gathered a few of our most frequently asked questions when deciding to to become a K-8 educator.
A reading specialist and a reading teacher are often used interchangeably; however, both are professionals who work in the field of education and focus on improving reading skills. A reading specialist, sometimes referred to as a literacy specialist or reading interventionist, is typically an educator who has undergone specialized training and holds advanced certifications or degrees in reading instruction.1 Their primary role is to assess, diagnose and provide targeted interventions for students who are struggling with reading.
A reading teacher typically refers to a general education teacher who incorporates reading instruction into their daily teaching responsibilities.2 Reading teachers are typically licensed or certified teachers who have knowledge and training in teaching reading skills across various grade levels.
No. However, the reading specialist courses taught in this BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading program can be a step toward pursuing a career as a reading specialist. Becoming a reading specialist typically involves obtaining additional certifications or degrees beyond a bachelor's degree and may vary by state or district.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers who teach reading typically have a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license.3 Those who complete teacher education programs, such as this elementary reading teacher emphasis degree, will be taught how to present information to young students and how to work with young students of varying abilities and backgrounds.
Future teachers in this BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading degree will be required to complete a total of 120 credits. Most of the reading specialist courses are 15 weeks in length. If you are participating in the online modality, the courses are generally seven weeks long. You will work with a mentor teacher during your student-teaching practicum to get hands-on teaching experience in a classroom setting. Be sure to check your state’s requirements for obtaining a teaching license.
The BS emphasis in teaching reading in elementary education degree program is tailored to teach you the essential knowledge and skills for becoming an effective elementary educator with a strong knowledge base of teaching reading to young children. It is important to note that the program demands dedication, effort and time to complete. Practical experiences like classroom observations and student teaching are integral components, which may require additional time and commitment on your part.
Becoming an elementary reading teacher can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for individuals passionate about education and literacy. As an elementary teacher, you play a vital role in promoting literacy and advocating for the importance of reading in society. You often contribute to building a foundation for academic success and strive to empower students to become critical thinkers and effective communicators. Further, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, kindergarten and elementary school teachers had a median annual wage of $61,350 as of May 2021.4
Imagine the satisfaction of guiding children on their journey to becoming proficient readers and empowering them with lifelong skills. This can be possible with the flexible online format at GCU. It allows you to achieve your goals while balancing your studies.
The degree emphasis in teaching reading courses will focus on educating teachers with additional skills and refined knowledge in the reading remediation process. Accordingly, graduates may be able to position themselves to pursue an elementary education teacher position with a focus on teaching reading in the K–8 classroom environment, as well as a teaching position in postsecondary education.
This bachelor’s in elementary reading teacher emphasis leads to initial licensure in the area of elementary education. Graduates who wish to become full reading specialists will need to move on to pursue a graduate-level certificate in reading for elementary educators and/or a Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education, advanced programs for continuing professional education that can enhance your qualifications for specialized teaching opportunities in reading.
The structure and curriculum of this accredited program, Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading, is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. Courses are taught by professionals in their respective fields who lend their knowledge and experience in areas of elementary education and educational psychology. All courses are directly aligned with standards from the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
This comprehensive program encompasses a wide range of content areas spanning kindergarten through grade eight, including:
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
This program prepares you to work toward becoming an elementary teacher who has additional credits in the area of reading. At GCU, you will be taught to apply concepts, theories and research throughout the program for career readiness. You will focus on supporting readers during your elementary education field experiences that guide you through 120 hours of observational and practice-based experiences.
As a teacher candidate, you will be exposed to elementary learning environment practicums completed in a 15-week student teaching experience. Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue their elementary education teaching credential in the state of Arizona (120 credits). Ensure that you carefully review the requirements for obtaining a teaching license in the state where you plan to teach.
