Program Description

Pending approval from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy Education is designed to prepare certified teachers to serve as leaders in literacy education. The program provides candidates with knowledge and tools to advance literacy instruction for PreK-12 students. After successful completion of this degree and earning a passing score on the GACE Literacy Specialist Assessment, candidates will qualify for Georgia certification to teach reading/literacy in grades PreK - 12 and provide instructional support for teaching reading/literacy to classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. Teachers who complete this program will also be eligible for the dyslexia certificate endorsement. The program is fully online.  

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Understand the theoretical, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language and the ways in which they interrelate through the reading of seminal and current research in all of the courses. 
2. Use foundational knowledge to evaluate and implement literacy curriculum that is evidence-based and meets the needs of P-12 learners.  
3. Use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction. Candidates explain assessment results and advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders. 
4. Recognize the importance of, participating in, and facilitate ongoing professional learning and coaching as part of career-long leadership roles and responsibilities. 
5. Apply theory and evidence-based practices to supervised practicum and clinical experiences.  
6. Understand the characteristics of Dyslexia and apply evidence-based practices for working with students with Dyslexia. 
7. Demonstrate their expertise in a focused area of their literacy teaching field through an independent, research-based capstone project.

This program is a part of the Leland and Clarice C. Bagwell College of Education .

***This program is PENDING GaPSC approval***

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific critera beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Three years of teaching experience.
• A valid level 4 or higher Induction, Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate, leadership certificate, service field certificate, or Life certificate are required for program admission. 
• Applicants must demonstrate evidence of proficiency in literacy instruction as defined in GaPSC Rule 505-3-.03 Foundations of Reading, Literacy, and Language.
• Resume or Vitae - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should document education, teaching experience, and your record of leadership. 

*International applicants have additional requirements; see the Graduate Admissions section of the KSU Graduate Catalog. 

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

This program restricts admission to candidates who will receive an upgrade from the Professional Standards Commission of Georgia upon program completion. 

Transfer Credit

Graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the chair of the Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education. A maximum of 25% of transfer credit (with grades of “B” or better) may be applied toward a degree program. No courses more than five years old at the time of evaluation will be accepted for transfer credit. Transfer credit includes all course work earned prior to admission to the M.Ed. program in full standing (maximum nine semester hours), whether earned at another institution or at Kennesaw State University. 

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements. 

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements