If you are considering a master’s degree in reading, you may be interested in teaching literacy as a career option. A Master of Science in Education in Reading degree will prepare you to successfully teach students of different ages and backgrounds how to effectively read and communicate. This in-demand degree can provide you with many career options in both the public and private sectors.
Below are four potential careers for educators with a master’s degree in reading. Some careers may require additional certification or licensing.
1. Literacy Coach
Administrators and teachers have come to rely on literacy coaches to help struggling students — especially those in the secondary grades. Some middle school teachers received less training in teaching developmental reading than their elementary counterparts. As a result, these teachers feel unprepared to teach literacy skills, especially to non-native English speakers or students with disabilities. A knowledgeable literacy coach can help teachers build successful literacy programs or create successful classroom reading strategies.
2. Reading Specialist
If you are a licensed teacher, you can choose a master’s program that will prepare you for certification as a reading specialist. A reading specialist coordinates cohesive, effective reading programs across all grade levels. In addition to working on-campus, a reading specialist may educate parents and conduct community outreach on behalf of the school, advocating for reading and literacy. Most reading specialist positions require previous teaching experience. Some positions may also require experience presenting at teacher’s workshops or conferences. With your reading specialist certification you can also work as an instructional support teacher, curriculum specialist or as a reading coach.
3. Adjunct College Instructor
An MSE in reading may qualify you to work as a part-time instructor for undergraduate students majoring in education or reading. Community colleges hire part-time instructors to teach a broad range of courses in reading, from beginning literacy to advanced English. Some colleges require teaching experience for this position.
4. Adult Literacy Teacher
An adult literacy teacher coordinates with both public and private agencies to instruct adults in reading and writing. Adult students may be non-native speakers, or they may be disadvantaged in some fashion. Many adult learners need to improve their reading skills in order to compete on the job market.
Other related career choices to consider include teacher assistant, special education teacher, school counselor and instructional coordinator.
Required Courses
Earning a master’s degree in reading may require a series of 10 or more three-credit courses. For example, the following are 10 courses required for the online Master of Science in Education in Reading program at Arkansas State University:
- Theory and Practice in Teaching Reading.
- Perspectives on Professionalism in Education.
- The National Writing Project Model: Processes of Writing.
- Emergent Literacy Birth through Primary Years.
- Reading Practicum I — Diagnosis and Intervention.
- Adolescent Literacy.
- Principles of Literacy Cognition.
- Literacy for Diverse Learners.
- Introduction to Statistics and Research.
- Reading Practicum II — Leadership and Literacy.
Advancement
If you would like to conduct research in literacy and reading you may wish to pursue a doctoral degree following graduation. A doctoral degree can qualify you for leadership roles and research positions.
With a Master of Science in Education in Reading, you can provide valuable reading instruction to students of all ages and all educational and cultural backgrounds. Helping a student develop literacy skills can play an important part in that student’s future success.
Learn more about the A-State online MSE in Reading program.
Sources:
http://www.sedl.org/pubs/sedl-letter/v17n01/literacy-coaches.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_7959505_kind-could-masters-reading-degree.html