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Reading Education (M.Ed.)

Students who read every day perform better on tests, achieve more academically, develop a broader vocabulary, and gain a better understanding of other cultures.

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Program Overview

As a reading educator, develop the skills required of reading specialists and literacy coaches by learning about literacy development, assessment, and instruction. 

This three-semester program is designed for licensed teachers or those with equivalent teaching experience who want to focus on literacy development, assessment, and instruction for all students. Alumni can be found working as academic intervention specialists, reading specialists, literacy coaches, educational specialists, classroom teachers, and out-of-school literacy program coordinators.

Careers

Of job-seeking Reading Education graduates, 97% were employed or attending graduate school within four months of graduation. Recent career placements include: 

  • Exceptional Education Teacher, LEAD Cameron Middle School, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Fourth Grade Teacher, Northlake Hill Elementary School, Santa Clarita, California
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
  • Reading Interventionist, European School Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Study Activation Specialist, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tennessee
Dan Parsons

"Peabody has given me the necessary tools to provide all of my students an equitable literacy education."

Dan Parsons
M.Ed., Language Arts Teacher, Liberty Middle School

Program Facts

Program Director: Brian Kissel
Admissions Coordinator: Shawn Blomker
Admission Term: *Summer or Fall
Credit Hours: 30

*This program begins in July during Peabody's summer term, or in August at the start of fall term

Key Application Dates

  • Priority Decision 1

    December 1*

  • Priority Decision 2

    January 3

  • Rolling Decision

    After January 3

*For more information on application dates and requirements, and the benefits of Priority Decision, see the How to Apply page.

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Program Curriculum

The program is designed to fulfill the requirements for an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist. Careful selection of coursework can lead to dual English language learners (ELL) and reading specialist endorsements.

Coursework

  • Sample Courses

    Our courses are centered around learning both the role of a reading specialist and a literacy coach. We offer a variety of courses such as…

    • EDUC 6400 Literacy Development
    • EDUC 6410: Literacy Instruction and Assessment
    • EDUC 6440: Teaching Digital Literacies
    • EDUC 6470: Literacy Coaching and Professional Development
    • EDUC 6421: Literacy Leaders Practicum
    • A Writing Development and Instruction course

Selected Faculty Research

Emily Pendergrass

Emily Pendergrass, associate professor of the practice of literacy education

Professor Pendergrass specializes in supporting struggling readers in the context of reading as a community practice, with special reference to professional development and new literacies including technologies. Additionally, she works closely with local public schools in literacy coaching and facilitating professional development workshops.

Scholarships and Aid

  • Scholarship Details

    The Teacher Pathway scholarship guarantees a minimum 30 percent scholarship to all admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20 percent scholarship for teacher leadership programs (eligible programs listed below).

    This guaranteed funding has been put in place in order to

    • broaden access to high-quality graduate education for individuals hoping to enter the teaching profession, and
    • make a commitment to increasing the teacher workforce, particularly in Tennessee.

    Scholarship cannot be combined with other Peabody scholarships; if a student is eligible for multiple awards, the larger amount will be granted. Students who accept grant-funded positions with tuition coverage and those who opt out of merit aid consideration are excluded from the scholarship.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Teacher Pathway Scholarship

Admitted students to the Reading Education M.Ed. program are eligible for the Teacher Pathway scholarship, which guarantees a minimum 30 percent scholarship to all admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20 percent scholarship for teacher leadership programs.

This guaranteed funding has been put in place in order to

  • broaden access to high-quality graduate education for individuals hoping to enter the teaching profession, and
  • make a commitment to increasing the teacher workforce, particularly in Tennessee.

Scholarship cannot be combined with other Peabody scholarships; if a student is eligible for multiple awards, the larger amount will be granted. Students who accept grant-funded positions with tuition coverage and those who opt out of merit aid consideration are excluded from the scholarship.

Patterson Fellowship

Made possible through a generous gift, the Patterson Fellowship supports currently licensed teachers pursuing advanced study in Reading Education. Beginning with our Summer/Fall 2027 cohort, selected fellows will receive:

  • 70% tuition remission for 9 credit hours a semester
  • Competitive hourly compensation for fellowship responsibilities

Eligibility: The Patterson Fellowship is available to applicants who hold a current teaching license. Once your program application is submitted, eligible applicants will automatically receive an invitation to apply for the fellowship.

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