Who should apply?
This 30-credit program is designed for teachers with at least one year of teaching experience who would like to earn a master’s degree while also becoming eligible for the K-12 Reading Specialist license. Additional state requirements for the license beyond the master’s degree include having an initial teaching license, earning a satisfactory score on the Reading for Virginia Educators: Reading Specialist exam, and having at least three years of teaching experience under contract.
If you already have a master’s degree and are interested in completing coursework for eligibility as a K-12 Reading Specialist, please consider the Literacy: K-12 Reading Specialist, Graduate Certificate program.
Why choose George Mason?
- Mason’s literacy program has been a “Nationally Recognized” program by the International Literacy Association since 2003.
- This program can be pursued on a part-time basis and completed in three years or less.
- Several fully online and hybrid online course options are available to reduce the number of required in-person meetings and allow for flexibility in your schedule.
- Face-to-face courses are offered in the late afternoons or evenings and at all three Mason campuses – Fairfax, Arlington, and Science & Technology in Manassas – to fit best into your schedule and nearest your location.
- For an early start on the program, any student accepted for Fall admission is eligible to begin taking courses in the preceding Summer semester.
- Successful completion of this program leads to a Master of Education and eligibility for licensure in Virginia as a K-12 Reading Specialist.
Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.
Required Courses (16 credits)
EDRD 640: Trajectory of Literacy Research (New Window) (2 credits)
EDRD 641: Trends and Issues in Literacy (New Window) (2 credits)
EDRD 642: Foundations of Literacy Instruction: Code-Based Skills (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 643: Foundations of Literacy Instruction: Meaning-Based Skills (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 644: Literacy Assessment and Intervention (New Window) (3 credits)*
EDRD 645: Supervised Literacy Practicum (New Window) (3 credits)*
*EDRD 644 and EDRD 645 must be taken concurrently.
Sequence of literacy courses may vary depending on program format. Students must earn a B- or higher in all required courses.
Concentration in Literacy Leadership for Diverse Schools (14 credits)
Coursework
EDRD 646: School-Based Leadership in Literacy (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 647: Introduction to Literacy Coaching (New Window) (2 credits)
Electives
Select 9 credits from the following:*
EDAT 510: Introduction to Assistive Technology (New Window) (3 credits)
EDAT 524: Universal Design for Learning (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 510: Linguistics for PreK-12 ESOL Teachers (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 516: Bilingualism and Language Acquisition Research (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 519: Methods of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 621: Introduction to Gifted and Talented Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 622: Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 623: Supporting the Social Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDCI 630: Supporting English Learners in PK-12 Schools (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 625: Integrating Literacy and Technology for K-12 Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 626: Writing Development and Instruction for K-12 Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 627: Comprehension and Vocabulary Development for K-12 Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 628: Word Analysis: Phonics, Vocabulary, and Spelling for K-12 Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
EDRD 680: Foundations of Coaching and Fostering Professional Learning (New Window) (3 credits)**
EDRD 681: Collaboration and Communication in Literacy Coaching (New Window) (3 credits)**
EDRD 682: Creating Change through Data-Oriented Coaching (New Window) (3 credits)**
EDRD 683: Trends and Issues in Literacy Instruction and Literacy Coaching (New Window) (3 credits)**
EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education (New Window) (3 credits)
EDSE 502: Classroom Management and Individualized Behavior Supports (New Window) (3 credits)
EDSE 517: Computer Applications for Special Populations (New Window) (3 credits)
EDSE 540: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum (New Window) (3 credits)
EDSE 619: Principles and Procedures of Behavior Analysis (New Window) (3 credits)
EDUC 537: Introduction to Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (New Window) (3 credits)
SEED 502: Young Adult Literature in Multicultural Settings (New Window) (3 credits)
SEED 509: Perspectives on Extraordinary Teaching (New Window) (3 credits)
*Check course descriptions for prerequisites. Students may choose an alternate elective with advisor approval.
**Students must complete all required courses for the degree and concentration before registering for this course. It may be applied to the Literacy Coaching concentration of the Literacy/Reading Instruction Graduate Certificate (New Window) for students who add this as a secondary certificate.
Total Credits: 30
Many of the elective courses (or others taken with advisor approval) can be applied to secondary graduate certificates within the College of Education and Human Development including Assistive Technology; Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy; Gifted Education; Add-On Endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for PK-12 Practitioners. Some of these certificates can lead to additional license endorsements. Interested students should speak with their advisor about these opportunities.
Tuition (2024-2025)
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee (New Window) (PDF) |
$25 – $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 – $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 – $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 – $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
Financial Aid
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Career Opportunities
Your studies will provide you with a strong foundation in literacy instruction and will develop your literacy leadership and coaching skills. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on the knowledge and abilities needed to begin making a profound difference in the reading, writing, and language development of diverse learners.
Graduates of this program often find positions as reading specialists or literacy coaches in schools all over the state of Virginia. Key employers include public schools in Fairfax, Prince William, Falls Church, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, Manassas City, Manassas Park, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and DC.
As a Mason student, you may contact the George Mason Career Services center for more career information and counseling.
Further Studies
The diverse learner courses required for a MEd in Literacy Leadership for Diverse Schools can also help satisfy state requirements for an additional license in Special Education or English as a Second Language.
Literacy is also available as a specialization or secondary emphasis in the Ph.D. in Education program.
All applicants should review the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Admissions page. For international applicants, see guidelines for International Graduate Requirements.
Apply for Fall or Spring only. Any student accepted for Fall admission is eligible to take a course in the preceding summer if a required course is available.
Prerequisites
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a US institution that is accredited by one of the organizations found here
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study (Some applicants with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally if there is sufficient evidence of potential success)
- One year of documented, successful teaching or related educational experience
Application Materials
- Graduate application
- Application fee
- Goals statement (750-1000 words) describing your academic and career goals related to the program that demonstrates basic writing skills
- Sealed official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (applicants do not need to send in transcripts for courses taken at George Mason University)
- Two letters of recommendation from professional references targeting applicant’s teaching skills and academic abilities
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the CEHD Admissions Office at cehdooa@gmu.edu or 703-993-2892.
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