Reading and Literacy: Reading Specialist / Master of Arts
This Master of Arts Reading Specialist degree is a State of Illinois entitled program that leads to endorsement as a Reading Specialist who is a transformative literacy professional committed to social justice. The program is recognized by the International Reading Association. Candidates complete clinical/fieldwork hours, practicum experiences, and courses specific to the varied roles of the reading specialist.
In addition to the College of Education admission requirements, candidates seeking the Master of Arts degree and P-12 Reading Specialist Endorsement via entitlement must meet the following requirements:
1. A valid Illinois Professional Educator License with endorsement for teaching.
2. Fulfillment of Survey of Exceptional Child requirement (105 ILCS 5/21-2a).
3. Evidence of 2 years of successful teaching experience by the end of the program.
4. Successful completion of the following program requirements.
5. No more than 9 hours may be transferred; certain courses may not be transferred.
Degree Offered: Master of Arts
Total Credit Hours: 39 + Comprehensive Examination
Degree Requirements
Program: MA-RDSP-E
Comprehensive Examination Required
Required courses (39)
| RDLT-50900 | Child and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| RDLT-52300 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Content Area Reading and Intermediate-Adolescent Literacy | 3 |
| RDLT-52400 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Developmental Reading and Early Literacy | 3 |
| RDLT-52700 | Teaching Reading to the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| RDLT-52900 | Methods and Practicum in Reading Diagnosis and Remediation | 3 |
| RDLT-53300 | Strategic Comprehension Instruction and Practicum for the Reading Teacher | 3 |
| RDLT-53600 | Theory and Practice for Intervention and Remediation of Reading | 3 |
| RDLT-53800 | Assessment and Diagnosis of Reading Problems | 3 |
| RDLT-54400 | Instruction and Resources for Developing Multiliteracies | 3 |
| RDLT-54700 | Supervising the P-12 Reading Program | 3 |
| EDLD-54800 | Organizational Systems in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| RDLT-57500 | Practical Research for Learning Communities | 3 |
| RDLT-59800 | Practicum for the Reading Specialist | 3 |
150 Clinical/fieldwork hours embedded in required courses
The following substitutions are allowed for dual Reading and ESL endorsement students:
- RDLT 54200 or ENLE 54200 for RDLT 52700
- RDLT 53900 for RDLT 53800
State Assessment Requirements
At the conclusion of the program, candidates seeking a Reading Specialist Endorsement on a Professional Educator License must pass the Illinois Test for the Reading Specialist, as well as the Assessment of Professional Teaching Test for grades K-12, or the State-approved equivalent of each.