Reading

M.Ed., M.S.Ed. or C.A.S. in Reading (Type 10 certification)

National Louis University’s Master's in Education - Reading degree is designed for teachers already holding an initial certification who are interested in further developing their teaching skills or meeting the eligibility requirements to become a Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist (Type 10).

Learn more about NLU's Reading and Language department >>

Consider getting your Master's in Education - Reading degree at NLU if you:

• Are a teacher, supervisor, administrator, or other professional who wants to enhance your skills within the areas of literacy acquisition, development, and instruction
• Want to gain the state of Illinois Reading Teacher endorsement or Reading Specialist certification

Why NLU for a Master's in Education - Reading Degree

NLU has a long-standing reputation for its education and administrator training programs, and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Since 1886, we’ve trained thousands of Chicago-area teachers, and continue to graduate the majority of Illinois’ Golden Apple Award winners — one of the most prestigious teacher honors in the state. Our instructors bring both academic skills and practical experience to the classroom, and our students are highly qualified — creating a unique depth to NLU’s Master of Education programs.

Plus, NLU’s program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and received national recognition from the International Reading Association (IRA).

What You Will Learn

Through coursework, practicum experiences and study with peers and faculty, you’ll gain:

• An in-depth understanding of the research, theory and practice related to the reading process and reading instruction
• A better understanding of the nature of reading and its development
• The ability to implement instructional approaches, assessment and instruction for divergent readers

Career Outlook

Wage and salary employment growth of 23 percent is expected for instructional coordinators with a reading specialty during the 2008-18 period. Over the long term, the demand for workers in educational services will increase as a result of a growing emphasis on improving education and making it available not only to more children and young adults, those with special needs, but also for those whom English is a second language.1

Reading Specialist — Type 10 Certification

This program is designed for teachers already holding initial certification who are interested in developing their literacy teaching or in applying to be a Reading Specialist. The reading sequence fulfills the state of Illinois guidelines for the preparation of Reading Specialists (Type 10).

Reading Teacher — Endorsement

This program is designed for teachers already holding initial certification who are interested in developing their literacy teaching or in applying to be a Reading Teacher. The reading sequence fulfills the state of Illinois guidelines for the preparation of Reading Teachers.

Master of Education (M.Ed.): The M.Ed. degree is designed for certified professional teachers seeking advanced preparation for higher levels of professional competence in the classroom.

Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.): The M.S.Ed. degree is designed for qualified certified candidates seeking preparation for leadership positions in education and to enable students to pursue continued study at the post-master’s level.

Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.): The C.A.S. is designed for those seeking to add a new career dimension to his or her current professional competencies. Applicants for the C.A.S. must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and, if required by the program, a valid teaching certificate.

Additional Program Requirements

Candidates must complete an electronic portfolio reflecting IRA/NCATE/ISBE standards and must be an active member of a professional literacy organization. Students who receive more than one “C” grade in any courses may not continue in the program. Courses needed to meet State of Illinois general and professional education courses and other state prerequisite requirements are not included in this listing. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for specific requirements, updates and amendments.

Prepare for the TAP with an NLU Workshop

The ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) is one of the most important tests on the road to becoming a reading teacher or reading specialist. NLU offers a series of TAP workshops in critical content areas. All workshops are FREE to NLU applicants and students and open to everyone else for a fee.* Get fully prepared for the TAP and register for a workshop today!

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU’s general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate Application Checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

In addition to NLU’s general admission requirements, applicants to the Master's in Education - Reading degree program must complete the following:

• Have a valid teaching certificate
• Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)2
• Have at least two years of full-time contract teaching under a valid and active teaching certificate

Get more information today about enrolling in NLU’s graduate program in Reading. Talk to your Enrollment Specialist or call 888.NLU.TODAY(888.658.8632).

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. www.bls.gov/oco/ocos269.htm

2 As of February 1, 2012, the Illinois Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) has been replaced by the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP). Teacher candidates who have passed the ITBS do not have to take the TAP if they apply for certification within 5 years of successfully passing the ITBS. Teacher candidates who have not successfully completed the ITBS must take and pass the TAP prior to admission. Teacher candidates who are not certified within 5 years of taking and passing the ITBS or the TAP will need to repeat the TAP if they have not reached the maximum 5 attempts.

Per ISBE policy, an individual may attempt to pass the TAP a maximum of 5 times. Previous attempts to pass the ITBS do not count toward the limit of 5 attempts to pass the TAP.

Please note: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) may change the state certification and endorsement requirements at any time and without prior notice. Teacher candidates will be bound by the requirements in place when applying for certification, not by the certification requirements in place when beginning their program. That is, the state may specify that a new regulation is immediately applicable to all candidates with no provisions made for candidates who began their work on certification under different regulations.

*You must be an applicant or student at the time of registration for the workshops to be free. If you pay for a workshop and become an applicant afterward, we can’t provide a refund.