Admission
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information.
For full admission to the Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree program, applicants are expected to provide or complete the following:
- Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. The application can be downloaded here.
- Provide an official transcript or transcripts from a regionally accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Transcripts and all application documents should be sent directly to Wilmington University Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Schedule a program planning conference with a Program Advisor or the Program Chair.
After all of the above requirements have been completed, register for MED 6102 (E-Folio) and other appropriate course(s) in the degree program.
Program Purpose
The Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree program is designed for educators who are interested in advancing their professional knowledge and skills related to literacy teaching and learning, including the following:
- choosing effective and appropriate instructional approaches and materials
- designing integrated, comprehensive, balanced curricula that support student learning in reading and writing
- designing and implementing appropriate assessment strategies
- developing awareness, understanding, and respect for cultural differences
- creating literacy-rich learning environments that foster reading and writing
- exploring leadership and professional development opportunities
Program Competencies
The program competencies adopted for the Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree program are the International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards for Classroom Teachers (2010). The M.Ed. in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree program is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the following standards:
Program Competency Standard 1. Foundational Knowledge
Candidates understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
Program Competency Standard 2. Curriculum and Instruction
Candidates use instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support student learning in reading and writing.
Program Competency Standard 3. Assessment and Evaluation
Candidates use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction.
Program Competency Standard 4. Diversity
Candidates create and engage their students in literacy practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and a valuing of differences in our society.
Program Competency Standard 5. Literate Environment
Candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
Program Competency Standard 6. Professional Learning and Leadership
Candidates recognize the importance of, demonstrate, and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility.
Outcomes Assessment
Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree program competencies and college-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate projects, assignments, and research papers. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus. Other assessment strategies may include mentoring sessions and observations of performance-based projects in authentic settings.
Program Design
This 33-credit degree program consists of 18 credits of foundation courses that focus on teaching and learning, 12 credits of reading content courses, and three credits of electives. The program requires that candidates be working in an educational setting or a training center to complete the program competency assignments. There is a non-credit E-Folio course requirement.
Course Requirements
Foundation Courses (18 credits)
MED 8804: 6 credit course offered in the Spring and Fall semester
Reading Concentration Courses (12 credits)
Elective Courses (3 credits)
| MRD 6205 | Literacy Skills for Early Childhood | 3 |
| MRD 6208 | Vocabulary and Comprehension Development for Middle School and High School | 3 |
| MRD 6209 | Authentic and Differentiated Instruction for Reading | 3 |
To qualify for the Master of Education in Instruction: Teacher of Reading degree, a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 33 credit hours with a GPA of at least a 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.
Completion of this degree does not qualify the recipient for a Delaware teaching license, endorsement, or certification, since there is no applicable Delaware licensing or certification category.