Reading (MA)

This program is offered by the School of Education and is available via Live Virtual (100% synchronous modality). 

Program Description

Learning Outcomes

The following are learning outcomes for this major:

• Develop a strong knowledge base in foundations of literacy and the reading process.
• Learn about and be able to demonstrate and use best literacy practices drawn from theory and research.
• Become proficient in using a wide range of methods and materials, including visual media and technology, to meet needs of diverse learners.
• Employ formal and informal assessments to identify strengths and needs of all learners and to inform teaching of whole group, small group and individual students.
• Become effective in creating positive literacy environments to motivate and engage all learners.
• Collaborate with teachers, school leaders, families and the community to enrich or reform practices.
• Serve as a coach or supervisor to support excellence in teaching reading and as a leader to develop and support reading initiatives.
• Engage in self-reflection and assessment for ongoing professional development.

Requirements

All reading majors take the following required courses:

Core Courses

Reading Coursework

Clinical Coursework

If candidates have extensive experience and prior graduate coursework in a specific area, advisors may approve alternatives. Students may transfer up to 6 credit hours of prior graduate work not used for another degree. A total of 33 credit hours are required for completion of the program. A sequential MA in reading is offered as a second master's degree consisting of 21 hours of reading coursework.

Special Reading Certification

A valid Missouri teacher’s certificate and two years of classroom teaching experience are needed before special reading certification, K-12, can be granted through Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This MA in reading includes 27 hours of required coursework for a reading specialist certification:

• Three reading methods courses (READ 5412, READ 5235, READ 5940) (9 hours)
• Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Disabilities (READ 5950) (3 hours)
• Advanced Studies in Language Development and Acquisition (READ 5190) (3 hours)
• Advocating for Persons with Disabilities (SPED 5270) (3 hours)
• Psychoeducational Assessment (SPED 5240) (3 hours)
• Practicum in Diagnosis of Reading Problems (READ 5970) (3 hours)
• Practicum in Remediation (READ 5980) (3 hours)

Additional courses are required by DESE for the reading specialist certification, but may be taken as an undergraduate or at the graduate level.

• Child Psychology (3 hours)
• Adolescent Psychology (3 hours)
• Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3 hours)
• Behavior Management Techniques (3 hours)

One of these may be taken as an elective in the Webster program.

Following admission and after an initial meeting with the director of the reading program, students interested in pursuing special reading certification should have their transcripts evaluated by the Webster University Certification Office for prior coursework. Reading faculty members serve as mentors/advisors throughout the program.

After successfully completing 12 credit hours within the major, all MA degree-seeking students are required to be advanced to candidacy.

Admission

See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:

Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119 

Additional Requirements

Advancement to Candidacy

Automatic advancement to candidacy (ATC) is based on 12 credit hours of 3.0 GPA graduate level READ courses.