The educational specialist with a specialization in early literacy and reading education focuses on training educators in the areas of language acquisition and literacy development for children from birth to age eight. This specialization provides educators with advanced skills for assessment, curriculum development, and teaching reading, as well as a foundation in human development and the impact of society and cultures on language development and literacy. Course content is research-based and aligns directly with the professional practice standards set forth by both the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Board for Teaching Standards.
practicing reading educators who wish to obtain a graduate degree or recertification and/or increase their levels of expertise in their current field
individuals with a master’s degree in education who wish to obtain a graduate degree or recertification and/or add a certification area in reading
completed admission application packet, including a $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University
official transcript indicating conferral of a master’s degree by a regionally accredited institution (3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average required)
official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions
(36 CREDITS)
EDU 708 Research Design in Education
EDU 5000 Orientation to the Graduate Teacher Education Program
EDU 702 Curriculum Trends and Innovations
EDU 714 Families, Schools, and Communities: Ethical Issues and Practices
EDU 719 Current Research in Human Development
EDU 729 Evaluation and Assessment Practices
LTRC 704 Research in Language and Literacy Development: Social and Cultural
LTRC 711 Assessment in the Early Literacy and Reading Classroom
LTRC 712 Play, Culture, and Emergent Literacy
LTRC 716 Curricular Approaches and Prescriptive Instruction in Early Literacy Programs
LTRC 722 Research in Oral and Written Language Development
LTRC 735 Advanced Seminar in Children’s Literature
APR 750 Education Field-Based Project
The practicum and the field-based project are one of the many practical applications included in the early literacy and reading education specialization. These culminating experiences are the final step in the completion of the program. The purpose of the practicum and the field-based project are to engage the student in a problem-solving experience designed to improve or enhance an educational situation. The process is systematic and involves submission of a formal practicum proposal; active participation, implementation, and/or research; evaluation of the activities; and submission of a final portfolio.
satisfactory completion of the required research course
satisfactory completion of all required courses in the specialization
successful completion of the Practicum or Field-Based Project, including the portfolio
cumulative maintained grade point average of 3.0 or higher
completed application for degree
Coursework for the early literacy and reading education specialization is available online and at many of the university’s Student Educational Centers throughout the state of Florida. The online delivery option allows students to receive and submit coursework and interact with participants and professors via the Internet. The site-based delivery option allows students to take classes in the evenings or on weekends in a location near their homes. The distance delivery option allows busy professionals to complete their degrees without having to leave their jobs or travel long distances.
Faculty members for the educational specialist are recognized scholars and educators from Nova Southeastern University and other major universities and institutions throughout the country. In addition, many are also highly respected professional practitioners. They are carefully selected on the basis of their subject expertise, teaching abilities, and professional involvement. Most importantly, they are united in their desire to not only educate, but to inspire students to use what they learn to inspire others.
Courses in the early literacy and reading education specialization may meet state department of education requirements for certification and/or recertification. It is the responsibility of each student to contact his or her state department of education regarding certification, recertification, and/or endorsement requirements.