Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
Overview
Earn Your Master of Arts in Reading Online
State and federal education standards have increased the need for qualified teachers who can improve the quality of reading for grades K-8. The online Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education, offered by the College of Education, aligns with the standards of the International Literacy Association to prepare specialists and interventionists to meet the global challenges of literacy development. The rigorous curriculum serves the community by providing diverse students fair access to high-quality education with a foundation in literacy.
Through observational and practice-based experiences, the MA in reading with an emphasis in elementary education provides the application of theory and educational best practices to improve literacy in collaborative settings. Effectively deliver curriculum, instruction and assessment with a strong foundation in corrective reading strategies, and survey a variety of assessment tools, instructional approaches and effective communication techniques for optimized learning. You also engage in advanced studies in elementary schools to inspire the creation of literate environments and support literacy across content areas.
You must submit a copy of your current teaching license or provide evidence of a minimum of one year of teaching experience to apply for this program. In addition, it is essential to have access to a K-8 classroom to complete the program assignments. If your state requires a K-12 credential, please speak with an enrollment representative to discuss available options.
Degree Outcomes
Advance Instructional Strategies
In the Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education degree program, you examine the process for planning, composing and delivering an engaging and effective reading curriculum for elementary students. You also learn to identify, evaluate and assess instructional strategies using data and student achievement.
What You Will Learn
Discover Master of Arts in Reading Curriculum
In this MA in reading program, you examine:
- Curriculum planning, development, assessment and methods to engage diverse learners
- Theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction
- Professional learning and leadership models for promoting literacy, emphasizing positive dispositions in individual and collaborative learning environments
- The application of brain research to classroom practice and its effect on curricular, instructional and assessment decisions
Career Outcomes
Career Options in Curriculum and Instruction
Common careers with a masters in reading at the elementary level include reading or curriculum specialist, teacher, tutor, literacy support provider and school literacy coach. Potential workplaces include private, charter and public elementary and middle schools, social service agencies and education welfare organizations.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course provides teachers with an introduction to applied research in education across the major quantitative, qualitative, and action research traditions. Coursework focuses on understanding the research process and its integrated components and evaluating published research reports from the perspective of a critical consumer. Teachers explore scientific reasoning and research design.
Course Description
This course focuses on brain research (from neuroscience to the behavioral and cognitive sciences) that relates to teaching and learning and suggests ways that brain research can be translated into what teachers do in schools and classrooms. Teacher candidates will examine the inner workings of the brain and the effect on student learning, memory, and transfer. Specifically, the course explores the body of knowledge that represents the application of brain research to classroom practice, and how knowledge about the human brain can affect the curricular, instructional, and assessment decisions that teachers make every day. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Reading specialist/Literacy coach candidates survey the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction. This survey includes an exploration of historical through current reading and writing development, processes, and components. Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates are introduced to ethical and professional roles. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates survey a variety of assessment tools and related practices. This survey prepares the reading specialist/literacy coach to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction that optimizes student learning. In addition, the reading specialist/literacy coach candidates develop effective communication techniques. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-500.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates engage in advanced studies of assessment systems to develop, select and interpret data at the building and district level. This advanced study of assessment information is used to plan and evaluate curriculum and instruction at the building and district level. In addition, the reading specialist/literacy coach candidates communicate assessment results to a variety of audiences. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-510.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-515.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates survey professional learning and leadership models for promoting literacy. emphasizing positive dispositions, individual and collaborative learning, the ability to design and evaluate professional learning experiences, the importance of advocacy, and a need for knowledge about adult learning and school leadership. From this survey, reading specialist/literacy coach candidates demonstrate and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-550.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates survey instructional approaches and materials that support student learning in reading and writing. This survey prepares the reading specialist/literacy coach candidates to design an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Reading specialist/literacy coach candidates engage in advanced studies of instructional approaches and materials at the building and district level that support student learning in reading and writing across content areas. From this advanced study, the reading specialist/literacy coach candidates design an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-520.
Course Description
The practicum experience requires reading specialist/literacy coach candidates to implement literacy intervention instruction that is designed to meet the specific needs of students and engage in research and analysis to support compilation and creation of a Literacy Work Sample (LWS). In addition, the candidates coach and provide support to other teachers to think reflectively about improving student learning and implementing various instructional practices. Practicum/field experience hours: 75. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: REA-540.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.