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.

campus

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: Emily Pendergrass
Admissions Coordinator: Erica Bodden
Admission Term: Fall and Summer
Credit Hours: 30

Application Dates

  • Application Deadline 1

    January 3

  • Application Deadline 2

    February 3

  • Rolling Admissions

    After February 3*

    *Applications received after the Feb 3 second deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space and funds allow.

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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.

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