A Master of Arts degree with a major in Education and a concentration in reading science is offered to candidates who hold a bachelor's degree along with some teaching experience and wish to specialize in the teaching of reading in grades pre-K through 12. A reading endorsement can be embedded in this degree. The reading science concentration features a curriculum based on the recommendations of the National Reading Panel report and uses the scientifically-based reading research model.  Graduates of the program will have the skills to implement evidence-based reading instruction and/or intervention.

Mount St. Joseph University is committed to respond to the need for lifelong learning. As part of this commitment, the Mount will consider graduate level credit in the Reading Science programs (MA in Reading Science, Ohio Reading Endorsement Program, Dyslexia Certificate and Reading Science Certificate) for college-level learning that takes place outside a college or university setting.

  • PLA credit may be accepted at the discretion of the Reading Science Program Director and awarded through the Prior Learning Assessment process.
  • Any PLA credit received must fit the student’s degree requirements.
  • No more than twenty-five percent of the total number of credit hours required for the program can be awarded through prior learning assessment.
  • Duplication of credit is not permitted. A student’s prior learning may not duplicate any course credit already received or possible future coursework.
  • Students must meet with their advisor and completely understand their program requirements before starting any PLA process.
  • Credits earned through PLA neither fulfill nor interrupt the residency requirement.

Program Requirements

Hours: 33

Prospective candidates who wish to embed an Ohio Reading Endorsement within their program must have a valid Ohio teaching license and at least 12 undergraduate credits in reading courses (or the equivalent state-mandated reading core courses).

Professional Core - 9 hours

EDU 500 Statistics and Research (3)
EDU 604 Integrative Research Project (3)
RDG 505 Psychology of Reading (3)

Concentration Courses - 24 hours

RDG 504 Children's Literature (3)
RDG 530 Phonics/Linguistics (3)
RDG 532 Advanced Phonics and Linguistics (3)
RDG 538 Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading Problems (3)
RDG 540 Fluency and Comprehension Development in Reading (3)
RDG 542 The Integration of Reading Comprehension and Writing Instruction (3)
RDG 591 Practicum in Evidence-Based Reading Instruction I (3)
RDG 592 Practicum in Evidence-Based Reading Instruction II (3)

Program Outcomes

  • Graduate students demonstrate knowledge and skill in the critical analysis and synthesis of educational research, and can use this knowledge to make important educational decisions. 
  • Graduate students demonstrate knowledge and skills in the implementation of research-based practices to guide reading assessment and instruction to meet the needs of all children (i.e. children with reading disabilities and typically developing children).
  • Graduate students utilize their Reading Science coursework in their teaching practice.
  • Graduate students demonstrate a depth of content knowledge in reading development, theory, the 5 essential components of reading instruction (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension) and writing, reading assessment, and reading intervention.