Why Should I Get A Master’s In Education With A Specialization In Reading?

By Author: Dominican University
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While many children grasp reading at an early age with very little trouble, countless others struggle in their efforts to make sense of this basic skill. Regular classroom teachers may not have the time, resources or specialized training necessary to spend on individual learning difficulties their young readers may face. This is why most schools and districts utilize the services of a reading specialist, a skilled professional with the specific training and education required to navigate the complex path towards literacy.

Educators who choose to pursue an advanced degree in reading education have the opportunity to make an immeasurable and lasting impact on their students, and will be a key player in a nationwide initiative to improve the US literacy rate. The main job of a reading teacher (also known as reading specialist) is to promote literacy through instruction that is supplemental to the regular course curriculum. This instruction encompasses comprehension, phonemic awareness, vocabulary and fluency.

The most common career in reading education is as a specialist in a public or private school ...
... with primary and secondary students. Reading specialists are oftencategorized with special education teachers and may be required to develop and enact individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with documented reading difficulties. They collaborate with general education teachers, most commonly in Language Arts, to design reading curricula based on the students’ individual needs. The nature of this work requires excellent organizational and diagnostic skills, as well as the ability to communicate with administrators, teachers and parents.

Reading specialists are expected to be familiar with the latest developments in reading-related technology and be able to provide teacher training for new programs and materials. Interactive programs, audio and visual technology, and speech software are exciting approaches a reading specialist can assist his or her students in learning how to read and gain comprehension skills.

To earn a master’s degree with a specialization in reading usually involve a two to three, thirty-six credit program. Courses typically include reading comprehension, linguistics, and culture and curriculum development. Most programs also require some type of internship or student teaching experience at a local school in order to get a degree.

Typically, a master’s degree program in reading education is only open to current teacher, though some colleges and universities will take education students with a recent undergraduate degree and no teaching experience yet. Graduate programs are designed for people who desire to become reading specialists and want to work with children individually or in small groups. A graduate will know the techniques required for teaching reading comprehension and writing skills, and will also be qualified and prepared to earn state certification. Courses may include curriculum inquiry, reading program development, assessment techniques, theory, workshop approaches, and supervision of reading programs.

While the most common career for an individual with a master’s in reading education is that of a reading specialist, there are other exciting job opportunities available in this field. It’s best to get several years of classroom experience before moving on, however, as teaching experience is usually a qualification for these other positions. Once you are ready with some teaching under your belt, you may find opportunities in teaching reading instruction at the college level, content writing or reading software development. With a master’s degree in education with a specialization in reading, the possibilities for an exciting and rewarding career are endless!

Dominican University is located in Illinois, US. It offers quality degree courses for masters degree in elementary education with specialization in reading. Know more about the university and enrollment details on http://www.dominicanu.com/masters-of-arts-in-education-degrees/