Master of Education (M.Ed.)

M.Ed. in Reading Online

Become a literacy leader

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Receive both a Florida reading endorsement and reading certification (with the successful passing of the Florida Teacher Certification Reading K-12 exam).
Complete a fully online program accredited by CAEP
Trust a program ranked among the Best Online Master's in Reading and Literacy Programs by Best Colleges

Reading, M.Ed. Overview

The Master of Education in Reading from the University of West Florida is designed to address crucial reading specialist shortages in the state of Florida. This innovative, educational program ties science-based reading research to practical classroom applications. Designed for educators who currently hold a teaching certificate, the M.Ed. in Reading can enhance your professional skills and knowledge, and, if desired, help you transition into specialized areas of reading leadership within schools and at the district level. Our program’s curriculum is based on the International Literacy Association standards which also encompass the Florida Department of Education Reading Endorsement and Reading Certification requirements.

Based on the International Literacy Association’s Standards for Reading Professionals, this program integrates coursework and clinical experiences to prepare graduates in the following areas:

  • Foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction
  • Assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction
  • Integration of foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials and the appropriate use of assessments
  • Theory and practice of effective literacy coaching

The M.Ed. in Reading Education is designed to prepare educators as reading teachers, reading coaches, district-level literacy specialists and publishing industry consultants. The online courses incorporate high-impact, rigorous practices that can be used in a future career. In addition, the online courses feature opportunities for practicing teachers/literacy specialists to apply theory to practice through hands-on work in current classrooms. Fieldwork experience can even be completed with online resources, making this degree program manageable and convenient for working professionals or those with families. Depending on your job, some fieldwork could even be completed in your current position. Courses are taught by full-time UWF faculty who are experts and professionals in their fields.

This advanced program requires field experiences which can be completed in school settings. The program is approved for both the K-12 Reading Endorsement and Reading Certification by the Florida Department of Education.

Online degrees may not be available in all states. If you are an out-of-state student, please review our State Authorization Status to confirm that the program is available in your state.

Prospective out-of-state students who will be pursuing a license in their state should check with that state’s licensing agency before enrolling. Prospective students from Alabama should review their state’s requirements for certification prior to enrolling. Please keep in mind that the definitions of Reading Endorsement and Reading Certification may vary depending on the state.

Candidates for This Program Include:

  • Working teachers who need a master’s degree to continue teaching
  • Teachers seeking to gain additional experience or specialized information
  • Teachers who want to become literacy coaches in their district
  • Students wanting long-term growth and lifelong learning

You Will Be Able To:

  • Implement evidence-based literacy instruction across a variety of diverse settings
  • Administer and analyze reading assessments to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement
  • Provide literacy leadership and coaching to promote the success of colleagues and students

Accreditation

The M.Ed. in Reading is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through Spring 2025. CAEP is the only CHEA recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.

CAEP’s annual outcome and impact measures and their trends, candidate performance data, and additional accreditation information is available on the UWF School of Education Accreditation web page.