Literacy and Reading Specialization Graduate Programs

Literacy and Reading Specialization

Enhance your literacy instruction with a specialized repertoire of skills and strategies. Our fully accredited certification programs equip highly effective teachers in the areas of reading comprehension, writing strategies, and differentiating literacy instruction for all learners. Programs are for candidates who already possess an initial teaching license.

About the Programs

Our programs are for candidates who possess an initial teaching license and want to expand their knowledge base, skills and dispositions for teaching literacy. Full-time and part-time options are available. Class format is face-to-face with some blended learning opportunities. Classes are offered in the late afternoon for students who are currently employed in a school or would like to seek employment.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy

This program is specifically designed to enhance the skills of fully certified elementary and secondary teachers who wish to become master teachers of reading and writing to meet the needs of all learners. This program is for candidates who possess an initial teaching license and want to expand their knowledge base, skills and dispositions for teaching literacy. A culminating project is required.

33 Credit Degree Program

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy with Reading Specialist Certification

This program is specifically designed to enhance the skills of fully certified elementary and secondary teachers who wish to support students with high quality literacy interventions and to support teachers as a literacy coach. Graduates will also be qualified to work in after-school programs, clinical settings and in private tutoring practice. A practicum is required.

33 Credit Degree Program

Post Master’s Reading Specialist Certification

This program is for teachers who have already earned a master’s degree. This program is specifically designed to enhance the skills of fully certified elementary and secondary teachers who wish to support students with high quality literacy interventions and to support teachers as a literacy coach. Graduates will also be qualified to work in after-school programs, clinical settings and in private tutoring practice. A practicum is required.

30 Credit Degree Program

Program Info

Master of Education in Literacy
» Program details including course descriptions

Master of Education in Literacy with Reading Specialist Certification
» Program details including course descriptions

Post Master’s Reading Specialist Certification
» Program details including course descriptions

Application Requirements

Application
Essay(s)
Official transcripts
Application fee
2 letters of recommendation
National standardized admission test requirement (waived for post-master’s certificate program)
Resume/CV
Copy of teacher certification
Additional documents needed from international applicants seeking to study in the U.S.

» View Application Details for Literacy / Reading Specialist Programs

Application Deadlines

Applicants need to make sure all materials are completed by either the Priority Consideration Deadline or the Final Deadline in order for an application to be considered complete.

Term	Priority Consideration	Final Deadline
Fall Matriculation	February 1	August 1*
Spring Matriculation	October 1	December 1*

*Applications will be considered on a space available basis up to and including the first day of the semester.

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Tuition & Costs

The College of New Jersey provides a high quality education at a lower than average cost than other schools of similar quality.

Tuition Type	Rate
In-State	$882.39 per credit
Out-of-State	$882.39 per credit

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The College Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing tuition, fees, housing and board plan rates. Tuition and fees schedules are subject to change without notice and upon action of the Board of Trustees.

Assistantships & Aid

Graduate Assistantships

TCNJ offers graduate assistantships that provide meaningful learning experiences while also supporting TCNJ’s educational mission. These assistantships require 15 hours of work per week during the fall and spring semesters while the college is in session. Only those full-time (minimum 9 credits/semester), matriculated graduate students in good academic standing with a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 are eligible for selection.

Graduate Assistants are awarded a tuition waiver of $10,000.00 per academic year ($5,000 per semester for fall and spring only) and are hired on an annual basis for a maximum of two years.

» Learn more about Graduate Assistantships

Financial Aid
Students pursuing a graduate degree at TCNJ may be eligible for some types of student financial assistance, including but not limited to student loans and assistantships. Graduate students must follow the same steps as undergraduates in applying for federal loan assistance.

Graduate students must be enrolled in at least five credit hours at the 500 level or above in order to be eligible for student loan assistance and for TCNJ to certify enrollment for a loan repayment deferment.

Semester Enrollment Requirements for Graduate Students
Full-time status = 9 or more credit hours
Half-time status = 5 credit hours
The enrollment requirements pertain to individual summer session enrollment as well.

» Learn more about Financial Aid at TCNJ