Master's Degree in Education

If you like to develop programs and teach, then consider a masters degree in teaching. Many parents are illiterate and thus incapable of helping their children read at home. Therefore, schools need teachers specializing in classroom reading education and administrators to help design and implement reading programs across many levels. A literacy education trains students to become scholars and teachers in schools, community centers, and other outreach programs. They develop strong and effective communication skills necessary to assist students from a variety of educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds, and varying age groups. They also obtain crucial knowledge about literacy development in relation to a student's academic achievement from early childhood through high school.

Most masters degrees exist at the graduate level and encourage student participation in activities that promote professional development and strengthen their prior knowledge. They enable students to handle complex situations involving literacy education and equip them with the skills necessary to create appropriate instructional techniques. Literacy degree programs include courses such as literacy foundations and qualitative research and students can specialize in certain skills, such as teaching theory and research techniques. Students receive training on how to teach reading using a variety of styles and understand balanced reading programs and curriculum components.

Students discover how to research and evaluate literacy and data and learn to examine and analyze former and current trends in the ever-changing field of reading education. They learn about the reading process, curriculum components, and assessing student progress. They demonstrate theoretical knowledge and practical ability by creating and implementing reading programs and through other field applications. Graduates also obtain an understanding of reading and writing development, the nature and causes of reading difficulties such as dyslexia, and principles and strategies for effective teaching.

Masters Degree in Teaching

Graduates find employment as literacy specialists, coaches, and consultants at public schools and private institutions from preschool through adolescence. Career choices include work within preschool, elementary, and secondary reading education programs. Some choose work as special education teachers and work with students displaying learning and physical disabilities, where as remedial reading teachers help students exhibiting specific language and reading-related learning disabilities. Some teachers find employment within human services agencies providing educational assistance to homebound individuals, or those in residential facilities and hospitals.

Specialized reading, master reading, adult literacy, and English as a Second Language are additional fields seeking to hire literacy graduates. Reading specialists carry leadership roles and work closely with administrators, teachers, students, and parents to develop curriculum and coordinate reading and literacy programs in their schools. They also evaluate student-reading performances to help produce effective strategies for teaching reading in the classroom. Administrators and teachers consistently seek guidance from language arts specialists to help them increase students' levels of writing, reading comprehension, and general language skills.