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Master's Degree in Reading (MSE) Online

Arkansas State University's online M.S. in Education in Reading is a 30-credit-hour, CAEP-accredited program completed in as few as 12 months through accelerated online courses (7 weeks in fall and spring, 5 weeks in summer). Built for current and aspiring educators, it prepares graduates for the reading specialist certification exam and for roles such as literacy coach, reading interventionist and literacy specialist, with coursework that also makes graduates eligible for a dyslexia endorsement.

Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27

Program Overview

Why does A-State's online MSE in Reading stand out?

Make a meaningful impact on student literacy development with the A-State Master of Science in Education in Reading program. Coursework centers on advanced pedagogical approaches, strategies and practical skills for reading, writing and literacy instruction. This includes diagnostic assessment as well as intervention and remediation methods for working with students.

Designed for current and aspiring educators, this 100% online program features supportive instruction from experienced reading faculty and gives you hands-on practice with diagnostic tools and techniques appropriate for students from kindergarten through adolescence. Prepare for literacy leadership in your school and district with guided practicum experiences that offer an important lens into classroom practice, as well as courses that promote effective writing instruction.

Students in this online degree program are required to complete 30 hours of coursework, which includes clinical experience in correcting reading difficulties using tenets from the International Dyslexia Association. All courses are aligned with 2017 International Literacy Association (ILA) standards.

For state program approvals, please refer to our State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Watermark – Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

Students in this program aligned with International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards 2017 will:

  • Prepare for the reading specialist certification exam
  • Learn diverse strategies to work with the struggling reader in early childhood through secondary levels
  • Gain knowledge essential for roles as a school literacy coach, school or district reading intervention specialist and literacy specialist at regional education service cooperatives
Students in this program aligned with International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards 2017 will:+
  • Prepare for the reading specialist certification exam
  • Learn diverse strategies to work with the struggling reader in early childhood through secondary levels
  • Gain knowledge essential for roles as a school literacy coach, school or district reading intervention specialist and literacy specialist at regional education service cooperatives

As a graduate of this online program, you will be equipped with the skills to succeed in various educational roles, including:

  • Literacy Coach
  • Reading Specialist
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Adjunct Instructor
  • Adult Literacy Teacher
  • Special Education Reading Instructor
  • Literacy/Reading Textbook Consultant
  • Reading Interventionist
  • Curriculum Writer – Literacy Programs
  • Elementary Literacy Specialist
  • District Reading Coordinator
As a graduate of this online program, you will be equipped with the skills to succeed in various educational roles, including:+
  • Literacy Coach
  • Reading Specialist
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Adjunct Instructor
  • Adult Literacy Teacher
  • Special Education Reading Instructor
  • Literacy/Reading Textbook Consultant
  • Reading Interventionist
  • Curriculum Writer – Literacy Programs
  • Elementary Literacy Specialist
  • District Reading Coordinator
+

MSE in Reading Online FAQs

If you're an educator who is passionate about reading, writing and literacy—or if you're interested in doing educational outreach that can impact learners for a lifetime—an MSE in Reading might be right for you. A master’s in reading is also essential if your goal is to become a certified reading specialist.
This master’s degree will help you gain the clinical expertise and insight needed to help students improve their proficiency in reading, both one-to-one and through literacy initiatives on your campus or in your community. In the A-State online MSE in Reading program, you will study literacy theory, child development, pedagogy for teaching reading and other subjects that prepare you for reading specialist certification, as well as a teaching license endorsement in dyslexia. You will learn to assess and diagnose reading issues, gain hands-on experience collecting and interpreting statistical data and develop effective literacy education strategies tailored to diverse learners and their needs.
A-State's MSE in Reading is built specifically for this path: a 30-credit-hour master's degree that prepares graduates for the reading specialist certification exam, with clinical practicum experience and coursework aligned to 2017 ILA standards.
A reading specialist typically works directly with students who need intervention or diagnostic support, while a literacy coach works more with teachers, modeling instruction, providing feedback and helping build schoolwide literacy practices. A-State's MSE in Reading prepares graduates for both roles, since the coursework covers diagnostic assessment as well as coaching and leadership skills.
As few as 12 months, through 30 credit hours of accelerated online courses (7-week terms in fall/spring and 5-week terms in summer).
Employment in educational instruction and library occupations, which includes reading specialist roles, is projected to grow 2% through 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An aging workforce and ongoing literacy-intervention priorities mean tens of thousands of openings are expected annually as coordinators and specialists retire or move on.

It can. Graduates who complete five specific courses (RDNG 6333, RDNG 6513, RDNG 6533, RDNG 6553 and RDNG 6563) are eligible for a dyslexia endorsement, pending state licensure eligibility. The Professional Education department handles the paperwork automatically. This built-in pathway is different from A-State's standalone Dyslexia Certificate, which is a faster, more direct route to dyslexia-specific credentialing for teachers who don't want a full reading master's. If dyslexia intervention is your main goal, compare both paths before choosing.

Also available:

This MSE is the base practitioner's credential in reading and literacy. If you're weighing your options, explore the related programs below:

Total Tuition: $10,500
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Best Online Master's in Education

Recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2026)

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION DEGREE

Tuition

How much does the online MSE in Reading program cost?

Our MSE in Reading online program offers the same affordable tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $10,500

Built for Arkansas Educators

Arkansas State University's MSE in Reading is designed for Arkansas-licensed teachers pursuing their first reading-specialist credential. The program is completed entirely online in as few as 12 months, with clinical practicum experiences you can complete in your own classroom. Coursework also makes eligible graduates candidates for a dyslexia endorsement, pending state licensure eligibility. For state authorization and Arkansas-specific licensure approval details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Calendar

When can you start the online MSE in Reading program?

Our MSE in Reading online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/273/4/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/28/26
Start Class 1/11/27

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online MSE in Reading program?

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the MSE in Reading online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a valid teaching certificate. Make sure to review full admission requirements below. Applicants to the program who do not qualify for unconditional admission may qualify for conditional admission.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Valid, active teaching certificate
View all admission requirements +

Meet one of the following degree requirements:

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or 3.25 on the last 60 hours) on a 4.0 scale
  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (or 3.0 on the last 60 hours); a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours; or at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) from a graduate school and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited university

In addition, you must provide the following as part of your application:

  • A valid teaching certificate

Note: If you have a 2.75-2.99 GPA, you must make a grade of “B” or better during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University.

Application requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution
  • Provide contact information for the supervisor who will function as your mentor

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Additional information

For more information on state eligibility, please visit our State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures page.

Appeals process

Email a written Letter of Appeal and GRE or GMAT scores (may be unofficial) to [email protected]

Transfer credits

Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

Kimberly Dickens Earns Her Online Master’s Degree in Teaching Reading
There was just something about A-State. When I was looking at the course descriptions, those were things that I knew would help me specifically with what I was trying to achieve.

Kimberly Dickens, A-State online MSE in Reading graduate

Courses

What courses are in the online MSE in Reading curriculum?

Students are required to complete 30 hours of coursework, including participation in the Arkansas Delta Writing Project model and clinical experiences in the correction of reading difficulties.

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of academic development opportunities, scholarly literature, and organizations relevant to the literacy education professional. Applications involve contemporary literacy initiatives and professional goals development in the field of literacy education. (Required in first 6 hours of the program)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of reading and the reading process. The symbolic nature of reading is emphasized. Comparisons are made with the tradi­tional presentations of reading and implications for instructional decision-making are suggested.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on the development of literacy skills, birth through primary grades, including the process of exposure to words, print, and the opportunity to write as a part of the literacy process. This course maintains alignment with state and national standards.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Clinical experiences in assessment and intervention in reading, and related areas.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analyzes current federal initiatives and reform policies related to adolescent literacy. Examines the social and cognitive processes related to adolescent literacy. Study of methods to facilitate literacy learning for adolescents in all curricular areas. Re­stricted to MSE Reading major or instructor permission.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Authentic ex­periences in personal and professional process writing in the National Writing Project workshop setting and analysis of reform positions on writing instruction.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of current research on literacy cognition, reading disorders, and research-based methodologies for reading instruction, with implications for instruction.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines literacy issues in the context of multicul­tural education and culturally responsive pedagogy with a focus on the differentiation of literacy needs among various student cultures and special needs students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory course in methods and techniques of research, and the statistical treatment and interpretation of research data.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Clinical experiences in the cor­rection of reading difficulties with emphasis on utilizing assessment data for professional develop­ment as a reading specialist in organizing and supervising school wide reading reform.

*Note: All students graduating from the MSE Reading program since July 2018 and the EdS Reading Professional track, who took RDNG 6333, RDNG 6513, RDNG 6533, RDNG 6553 AND RDNG 6563 are eligible for the Dyslexia endorsement. Students should check their licensure to determine if they are eligible. The Professional Education department automatically submits the paperwork for the certification. After reviewing their licensure and if they meet the other criteria above they can contact Sara Woolard in the Professional Education Office at [email protected] to review and see if they can get the endorsement added.

*All students graduating from the MSE Reading program since July 2018 and the EdS Reading Professional track, who took RDNG 6333, RDNG 6513, RDNG 6533, RDNG 6553 AND RDNG 6563 are eligible for the Dyslexia endorsement. Students should check their licensure to determine if they are eligible. The Professional Education department automatically submits the paperwork for the certification. After reviewing their licensure and if they meet the other criteria above they can contact Sara Woolard in the Professional Education Office at [email protected] to review and see if they can get the endorsement added.

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