Would you like to be able to help struggling readers achieve and plan for literacy achievement school-wide? The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement may be just what you are looking for to enhance your career!
The program is designed for certified teachers who plan to seek a master's degree. The M.Ed. in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement was designed in collaboration with P-12 classroom teachers, district specialists, and university faculty for preparing reading specialists/literacy coaches. The program leads to a Kentucky "Literacy Specialist P-12" endorsement.
What makes the UofL M.Ed. in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement stand out from the rest?
The program:
The curriculum for the M.Ed. in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement is based on the International Reading Association Standards for Reading Professionals (2010) for Reading Specialists/Literacy Coaches. Candidates complete a 36 credit hour program, which includes 24 hours of literacy coursework and 6 hours of supervised practicum.
Detailed requirements for completing this degree are provided in the Graduate Catalog.
Note: Meeting GRE score and GPA minimums does not guarantee admission to the program.
Students may apply to the program by first going to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies web site.
Students must also submit the following information:
Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.
Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned a faculty advisor and will work collaboratively with that advisor to complete the following components. The materials below will be submitted electronically through LiveText.
The personal statement is the applicant's opportunity to demonstrate his/her writing ability as well as provide a personal introduction to the admissions screening committee. The personal statement should be no more than 500 words, and should be double-spaced and word-processed. Applicants are encouraged to proofread their writing, and to submit the best work possible. The attached rubric (Ideas to Action Holistic Construct Rubric [PDF]) is provided to help applicants understand how their writing will be evaluated.
In developing the personal statement, applicants are encouraged to identify and describe personal characteristics, abilities, beliefs and goals as well as diverse experiences with children and adolescents which will contribute to their success as an outstanding educator. Applicants should also review the College of Education and Human Development's Conceptual Framework, reflecting on the concepts of inquiry, action, and advocacy. Applicants should consider the following questions:
Learn more about our program faculty.
Lori Norton-Meier
Department of Middle and Secondary Education
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Office: 502-852-1316
Department email: midscnd@louisville.edu
Candidates who complete the M.Ed. in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement apply for the state Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement.
The Kentucky Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement prepares you to:
Candidates who complete the MEd in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement apply for state endorsement in Kentucky Reading and Writing P-12.
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include graduate assistantships and other employment opportunities.
In recognition of valuable service to the preparation of teachers and the need for all teachers to have continual professional growth, a supervising teacher or a resource teacher for teacher interns may, with prior approval of the course-offering institution, take a maximum of six (6) credit hours per term at any public postsecondary institution and pay no tuition. The postsecondary institution shall waive the tuition up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours.
To apply, you must complete the Tuition Waiver Certification for Supervising and Resource Teachers Application [PDF]. It should be completed by the supervising teacher, certified by their principal, and returned to our office. Return the form to the Student Financial Aid Office at U of L, attention: Wesley Partin.
Eligibility: 6 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a full responsibility supervising or resource teacher, or 3 credit hours of tuition benefits for each semester served as a shared supervising or resource teacher. Students may exercise the tuition waiver option up to twelve months following the assignment. Tuition benefits are paid directly to the University of Louisville.
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL advisor approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
Successful candidates will graduate with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy with Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement and receive a Literacy Specialist P-12 Endorsement. If you already have a Master's degree, you will need to complete an additional master's degree to receive this endorsement. If this is a second master's degree, you may apply for Rank I hours as you complete the degree.
The program can be completed in as few as two years or as many as six years.
All courses are offered outside the practicing teacher's day (evening, Saturday, summer). The program is designed so that many assignments are classroom or school-based. Practicum classes are completed during the summer session (Literacy Specialist Practicum) and in your own school (Literacy Coach Practicum).
Courses are offered at UofL Belknap Campus and JCPS locations. A limited number of online courses are available at the present time.
Yes. The program is designed so that many assignments are classroom or school-based. If you are not currently in a school, you will be placed in an approved setting to complete the assignments.