Masters in Reading

The Professional Development Alliance has some great opportunities for an individual to enhance their professional growth in the area of reading ranging from masters degrees to certificates of graduate studies.  There are also options in delivery including online, blended, and cohort, face-to-face.  All of the programs are fully accredited, and lead to Type 10 Endorsement for Reading Specialist. The following programs will be offered here at the PDA or at a location convenient for the cohort.

Concordia University Chicago 

The Reading Specialist Program is designed to prepare certified teachers for a reading specialist certification (K-12). This program will enable candidates to:

• Strengthen their foundational knowledge of reading and writing processes
• Apply varied instructional practices, methods, and curriculum materials to literacy instruction
• Use assessment to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction
• Create literate environments that foster literacy instruction
• View professional development in reading ans a career-long effort

This is a 30 semester hour masters program which can be completed in less than 24 months. As each cohort is formed, the individual group will be assigned the evenings in which the classes will be held during the school year.  Classes generally meet one night per week.

Saint Xavier University

This Reading Specialist Program provides courses of study that prepare certified teachers to assume responsibilities of leadership and service. Upon completion of the Masters of Arts in reading, graduates may pursue positions as developmental reading specialists, reading clinicians, reading consultants, and instructors in city or community colleges or workplace reading programs. Candidates need to be certified teachers with two years teaching experience in the P-12 setting.

This is a 36 semester hour masters program which can be completed in 23 months. Classes are one night per week at the PDA or a location convenient to the cohort.

Benedictine University-Online

The online Master of Education in Reading and Literacy (M.Ed.) is a fully accredited program designed for educators.Through this progressive program, you will learn to assess your students' literacy capability and design an approach to improving their literacy. Subsequent to graduation, you will be prepared for your Illinois Reading Specialist Certificate.

This is a 33 semester hour masters program which can be completed in 16 to 22 months.  Yu will earn the same highly respected Benedictine University degree credential as students who attend the Lisle Campus.

Northern Illinois University

This program offers an opportunity for teachers who already have a masters and want to enhance their background in reading. It's also unique in that you will receive a Certificate of Graduate Study rather than just accumulating random credit hours.

The Department of Literacy Education offers the Certificate of Graduate Study in Children's and Young Adult Literature/Media. This certification will assist educators and librarians in selecting and using high quality children's and young adult literature across genres and across the curricula. It will also enhance understanding of the design and production of children's and yiung adult literature.

This is a 19 semester hour program, that will be offered in a cohort model here at the PDA. Classes will meet in the evening once a week.