The mission of the Master’s and Education Specialists Reading programs is to provide and foster the education and integration of theory and practice which meet the continuing professional requirements for literacy educators. The goal is to graduate highly quality professionals with expertise in literacy learning at all levels. The Reading programs are aligned with the core commitments of Barry University: knowledge and truth, inclusive community, social justice, and collaborative service as these ideals are inherent in the nature of literacy education and its practices.
Master of Science (30 credits)
MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN READING (STATE-APPROVED):
Program Goals
The Reading and Literacy Studies Program prepares reading and literacy practitioners by providing graduate students with the theoretical background, research-based strategies, and specific instructional techniques needed to meet K–12 students’ literacy needs. Graduates of the program meet the requirements of Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Educator’s Certification for Reading (K–12), the Florida State Standards (FSS) and the International Literacy Association. Upon completion of the program graduates are qualified to be reading specialists working directly with students, reading coaches mentoring peers, interventionists in school based reading programs, and administrators leading district level reading programs. Specific program goals are to provide graduate students with the:
- Theoretical background, research-based strategies, and specific instructional knowledge and techniques needed to meet students’ literacy needs in today’s P–12 schools
- Skills and strategies to become reflective practitioners who administer and interpret, evaluate, and apply the results of assessment data
- Ability to assume leadership roles and responsibilities in the field of education as it applies to literacy practice, instruction, management, and implementation of standards
Student Learner Outcomes
- Apply research-based reading and literacy strategies for successful learning
- Integrate research-based reading skills, strategies, and concepts into disciplinary areas of curriculum
- Plan, develop, and implement research-based literacy programs in the school, district, and community
- Administer and utilize assessment data results to interpret and evaluate for developing and implementing differentiated plans for strategic literacy instruction within and across the curriculum
- Act as literacy leaders
The Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Reading is a 30 semester hour initial certification program committed to offering opportunities for personal and professional growth for educators who desire to extend their knowledge and skills in literacy education.
The program provides grounding in research and related skills that will allow educators to engage in the critical practice necessary to effectively adapt and adjust principles of literacy instruction, along with instructional and assessment strategies to meet the needs of a diverse student body and to be critically reflective about their own teaching practices. Coursework is intended to integrate theory and practice so as to prepare individuals with the necessary expertise and knowledge in order to be leaders in the support and improvement of literacy instruction.
Graduate students in the Reading program broaden their knowledge and gain greater teaching competencies with the goal of helping all students become lifelong readers. The Reading program is approved by the Florida State Department of Education and leads to Florida certification in Reading K–12. This state approved program requires the student candidate to hold a professional educator’s certificate prior to full admission. The MAT or GRE is required for those with an undergraduate GPA between 2.99 – 2.5. For those who do not hold a teacher’s certification, please see the non-certification Master’s option.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN READING (NON-CERTIFICATION):
Students seeking a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Reading who do not hold a teaching certification or do not desire a State of Florida Reading certification may enter the Non-certification (REAN) Master’s option. A non-certification option form must be signed by the student, the faculty advisor, and the Office of the Dean. This acknowledges that Barry University does not recommend the student for certification in Reading (K–12). The student has sole responsibility to secure application documentation and submit the necessary paperwork and fees to the State in order to be eligible for Reading Certification. After completing six (6) credits in the REAN, M.S. program, the student may not switch to the certification option. While the courses are aligned with state and national standards for Reading K-12, candidates will be encouraged to take the FTCE Reading Exam at least one time, but are not required to demonstrate a passing score on the state certification exam in order to be eligible for graduation. All other program requirements must be met.
Required Courses (30 credits)
Note: EDR-601 is required within the first 12 credits of coursework
Electives Courses (3 credits)
Additional M.S. Program and Graduation Requirements
Students Must
- Have completed a course in children’s or adolescent literature which is a requirement for Reading certification (K–12), if not taken previously, EDU 554 is required;
- Pass the Reading Subject Area Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) prior to graduation, unless already certified in Reading; and
- Have a 3.00 grade point average prior to registering for EDU-717.
Note:
As the state implements new requirements for the Reading certification, these requirements will be compulsory with or without notice in this catalog. The student has the sole responsibility to comply and maintain currency with the State Department of Education certification requirements. The student has responsibility to secure application documentation and submit the necessary paperwork and fees to the State in order to be eligible for Reading Certification.
Specialist in Education (30 credits)
Specialist in Education in Reading (Non-certification)
The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree program in Reading is a 30 semester hour program beyond the Master’s degree. This degree program is designed for those who wish to be teachers, literacy coaches, and other leaders in literacy education at the K–12, community college, and adult levels, or for those who wish to enter the field of reading education.
Student Learner Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of Reading research to improve literacy instruction
- Demonstrate refined research-based reading and literacy strategies and skills for improved reading and learning
- Model the integration of Reading and English Language Arts into literacy and disciplinary curriculum
- Provide literacy leadership
- Administer and utilize assessments data results to interpret and evaluate for developing and implementing differentiated plans for strategic literacy instruction across the curriculum
The Specialist in Education in Reading is not state approved for the Florida Reading Certification. If the Ed.S. graduate desires the state Reading Certification, the student has the sole responsibility to secure application documentation and submit the necessary paperwork and fees to the state in order to be eligible for Reading Certification.
Special Prerequisites
Three (3) Reading courses at undergraduate or graduate level (9 credits) are required as prerequisites for full admission to the program.
Required Courses (9 credits)
Electives (21 credits)
Note:
Certain M.S. courses will be required if the student plans to be eligible for the Reading certification.
Courses accepted in lieu of any of the above must be approved by the advisor and the Office of the Dean.
Additional Ed.S. Program and Graduation Requirements
- Have a 3.25 grade point average prior to registering for EDU-717 and/or EDU-739 or EDU-740.
- As the state implements new requirements for the Reading certification, these requirements will be compulsory with or without notice in this catalog. The student has the sole responsibility to comply and maintain currency with the State Department of Education certification requirements.
Note:
Other Reading courses may be substituted for those listed above to meet the Florida Reading certification requirements in Reading (K–12), if desired by the student and with permission of the advisor and the Office of the Dean.
Reading Endorsement Option (15 credits)
The Graduate Reading Program offers a state approved Reading Endorsement option. This option allows a certified teacher to become a highly qualified teacher of reading by taking five (5) graduate level reading courses, which meet the five (5) Reading Endorsement competencies required by the state for the Florida Reading Endorsement.
Required Courses (15 credits)
Note:
As the state implements new requirements for the Reading certification, these requirements will be compulsory with or without notice in this catalog. The student has the sole responsibility to comply and maintain currency with the State Department of Education endorsement requirements.
Adult Literacy Certificate (12 credits)
The Adult Literacy Certificate (ALC) option is available for individuals who wish to become highly-qualified literacy professionals to teach secondary, college, and adult learners. The ALC Program introduces andragogy (the art and science of teaching adult learners), seminal research-based literacy theories, differentiated effective instructional practices, and literacy intervention strategies relevant to teaching secondary, college, and adult learners.
This program requires individuals to hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university. The requirements for the Adult Literacy Certificate Program are met by completing the following four Barry University graduate reading/literacy courses (12 credits):
Required Courses (12 credits)