The fully online Master of Education degree in reading program empowers novice and veteran teachers to broaden their literacy knowledge with opportunities to seek Arkansas licensure as a reading specialist or dyslexia therapist. Teachers need a strong understanding of how children learn to read, skills to support those who find reading difficult, and evidence-based strategies to support all readers. A master’s degree in reading from UA Little Rock provides you with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the literacy needs of all students.
The coursework prepares graduates to be reading specialists, literacy educators, intervention specialists, and/or dyslexia therapists. The program meets CAEP, NCATE, and Arkansas Department of Education standards and is accredited by the International Literacy Association (ILA).
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an institutionally or regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (4.0 scale), or
- Grade point average of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses, or
- Grade point average of 3.0 in the content major, or
- Master’s degree from an institutionally or regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Hold or be qualified to hold a valid teaching license
- Admitted to the UA Little Rock Graduate School. View the steps to apply.
Program Requirements
Students can choose from one of two 30-hour degree plans that lead to the M.Ed. in Reading:
- Reading Specialist (24 hours plus 6 hours of electives). This program leads to reading specialist licensure in Arkansas.
- Reading Generalist (12 hours plus 18 hours of electives). A reading generalist gains a range of knowledge and skills.
Licensure Requirements
All applicants are responsible for securing information related to state licensure as a reading specialist or as a dyslexia therapist (Arkansas or another state) to ensure that they meet state licensure requirements during or after the completion of coursework toward the degree.
Reading Specialist
To meet the requirements for licensure as a reading specialist in Arkansas, please review the core requirements and electives.
In addition, students must:
- Pass the Reading Specialist – Praxis II
- Maintain and upload key assessments in Chalk & Wire from each course
- Be certified to teach in Arkansas
Dyslexia Therapist
To meet the requirements for licensure as a dyslexia therapist in Arkansas, please review the core requirements and electives.
In addition, students must:
- Pass the Praxis PLT
- Maintain and upload key assessments in Chalk & Wire from each course
Graduation Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Completion of 30 hours of program course work (Reading Specialist Concentration requires 36 hours)
- Completion of a Coaching Portfolio, which includes required coursework assessments uploaded into Chalk and Wire (Reading Specialist Concentration only)
- Passing of the Praxis II Reading Specialist Exam (for Reading Specialist Concentration only)
- Completion of Literacy Portfolio, which includes required course work assessments uploaded into Chalk and Wire (Literacy & Culture and Intervention Concentrations only)
