Attention: Concordia University-Portland M.Ed. Students
In partnership with Concordia Portland, we have developed a preferred teach-out partnership for Master of Education (M.Ed.) students. If you are currently in a M.Ed. program at Concordia Portland, you do not need to apply to Concordia Nebraska. For details on this seamless transistion, visit the Concordia Transfer Guarantee page.
Prepare to give students a lifelong love of reading and writing the English language through the online master's in reading and literacy program from Concordia University, Nebraska. As you earn your degree, you will examine the academic theories and practical strategies for effective, successful literacy programs. Through the online program’s excellent coursework, you will build a strong foundation through the experience, knowledge and practical advice of experienced educational professionals.
Our online master’s in reading and literacy has two concentrations available:
Literacy with Reading Specialist Emphasis: Through this 36-hour program, you will study the effective, innovative and sustainable methods used for helping students learn to read and write, along with how to implement assessment tools to adapt instructional strategies
Literacy with Reading Specialist and ESL Emphases: Discover how to teach English literacy to students from different backgrounds through this 51-hour program. Explore the resources needed to adapt lesson plans to suit students’ needs while incorporating and understanding cultural issues as part of instructional practice
Our master’s in literacy online program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
In addition to our master’s program, we offer specialized endorsements that can help you enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Accreditation
NCATE
Reading Specialist Endorsement: This 30-credit endorsement program explores the applications and strategies you can incorporate into the classroom to teach students of all levels and abilities how to better their skills in reading and writing
ESL/ELL Endorsement: Study how to effectively bridge the language gap for students whose native language is not English and help them reach their full potential with our 15-credit endorsement that can be completed in as few as 10 months
After you have earned your master’s in literacy online, you can pursue a variety of careers within education. You can become a reading specialist, reading coach or reading curriculum specialist, or you can help students from varying backgrounds learn the English language. The degree also gives you the skills to teach adult students English to help them prepare for further education to get a job.
Depending on which path you take for this program, you will need to complete a three-credit field-based case study that includes documented student interaction, evaluation and intervention. Adding the ESL endorsement will include a practicum devoted to working specifically with students who are learning English as their second language.
A career in literacy may be right for you if you enjoy the written word and helping students develop their reading and writing skills so that they can achieve their goals. As the field requires the assessment of student abilities and being able to adapt lesson plans to suit their needs, you should have analytical and problem-solving skills. If you also like teaching English to people whose first language is not English, then a career in ESL after earning your ESL/ELL Endorsement may be ideal for you.
Our master’s in literacy online program has received accolades from BestColleges.com as one of the top 25 best online master’s in reading and literacy programs in 2019.
Concordia NebraskaLiteracy Core Concepts
Concordia University, Nebraska’s master's in literacy online program focuses on providing candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to teach those from varied backgrounds important English reading and writing skills.
Learning Outcomes
Students will apply knowledge and skills from the program by developing, planning, and implementing a case study, which is the culminating project of the program
Students will explore developmental reading topics related to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including reading in the beginning literacy, vocabulary, reading in the content areas, comprehension, fluency and oral interpretation of literature
Students will examine how to effectively teach writing to PK–12 students, as well as the relationship of writing to literature and other language arts
Students will learn the assessment and evaluation processes for students with literacy difficulties and from varying backgrounds
Program Goals
Establish in-depth knowledge of the psychological, sociological and linguistic theoretical base of literacy education
Explore a knowledge base relating to the developmental nature of language, language acquisition, reading and language arts
Employ techniques for integrating the English language into students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing
Establish an understanding of the English language as a system (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and discourse) that has language variation and cross-linguistic differences
Exhibit an understanding and respect for the cultural, linguistic, ethnic and academic diversity of literacy learners
Develop, plan and implement a case study