Elementary Education M.Ed. with Reading Certification (Online)

The Master of Education in Elementary Education with Reading Certification is a 39-hour fully online program that provides advanced study for teachers who already hold the Class B Professional Elementary Education (K-6) Certification and have at least two years of full-time teaching experience. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for the Class A Professional Elementary Education (K-6) Certification and Class A Reading Education (P-12).

What is a Reading Specialist?

The Reading Education graduate program at South is based on the understanding that there are linguistic, cognitive and affective bases of the reading process; that reading is a constructive process; and that individuals may be on different developmental schedules for achieving literacy. A reading specialist is an advocate for school-wide literacy. The reading specialist has a depth of knowledge about the reading process and working with adult learners as partners. They serve as the catalyst for developing effective reading practices by equipping colleagues to use best practices, materials, and strategies to promote improvement in reading comprehension and the love and value of reading among all students. The graduate program prepares candidates to become literacy leaders through research-based, best practices.

▼ Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

*USA students applying to a USA graduate program in the College of Education and Professional Studies should complete a transcript request form (PDF) found on the University Registrar's Office website.

In the Name/Organization field for the transcript recipient write, "USA Graduate School". There is no charge associated with this request. This option applies only to USA transcripts for students applying to USA graduate programs.

GPA Requirement: A minimum overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale based on the GPA used as the basis for granting the degree and posted on the official transcript from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned OR a 2.5 GPA on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work posted on the official transcript from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned.

GPA Exception: Individuals who have earned a bachelor 's degree from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned and who do not have a qualifying GPA for admission may seek admission based on a qualifying score of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). For the GRE, this standard is defined as having a score at the 50th percentile on all of the following subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. For the Miller Analogies Test, students must have a score at or above the 50th percentile based on the total group percentile rank score. For Alternative Class A programs, applicants must submit a qualifying alternate score on the Alabama-prescribed Praxis subject-area test.

A valid bachelor’s-level Class B Professional Educator Certificate in early childhood education, elementary education, or collaborative special education teacher (K-6 only).

A minimum of 2 years full-time teaching experience. Must be documented on Supplemental Experience Form (PDF) that should be requested from Human Resources in your past/present employing school system.

Mail Supplemental Experience Form to:
University of South Alabama
College of Education and Professional Studies
Attn: Jamie Lett - UCOM 3360
75 S. University Blvd.
Mobile, AL 36688-0002