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This concentration of the MEd in Literacy Education is designed for educators interested in making a profound difference in the literacy development of the K-12 students they teach.
Students will develop additional expertise in scientifically-based literacy research and evidence-based K-12 classroom literacy instruction and assessment along with an understanding of the literacy development and unique learning needs of K-12 students. Courses combine current research and theory with practical, hands-on experience.
Applicants should have at least one year of teaching experience in PreK-12 classrooms or more informal settings. This concentration does not provide eligibility for the K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement in Virginia. However, some elective coursework may be applied toward a secondary graduate certificate within the College of Education and Human Development and may lead to other licensure endorsements.
This 30-credit degree program is offered on both a full or part-time basis and can be completed in as few as 4 semesters (including fall, spring, and summer). Students complete 16 credits of required literacy course work within cohorts on the same curriculum schedule. This allows for professional learning communities within each cohort. Cohorts complete 5 to 6 credits of required literacy course work each semester.
To meet students' learning preferences and needs, the program is offered in two formats:
- ONLINE: Students seeking admission in any semester (fall, spring, or summer) have the option of completing the program in a fully online, primarily asynchronous format. Elective credits are also completed online.
- BLENDED: A blended format for the program is available to students seeking admission for the fall semester. Elective credits can be taken face-to-face on Mason’s Fairfax campus or online. When there is enough demand, blended cohort options may also be available to students seeking admission in the spring or summer.
- This format combines face-to-face class sessions with online class sessions (both synchronous and asynchronous). In the blended format, 3-credit hour courses meet face-to-face for approximately 60% of each semester and online for the other 40%, while 2-credit hour courses are completed fully online in an asynchronous format. In the fall and spring, 3-credit hour courses meet one time each week in the early evening, while summer classes meet 2 to 3 times per week. Literacy courses are offered at Mason’s Fairfax, Mason Square (Arlington), and Science and Technology (Manassas) campuses as well as other sites across Northern Virginia, allowing you to choose the cohort location that is most convenient for you.
Graduates of this degree program work in a variety of settings. Most choose to remain in their classrooms and apply what they've learn to support their students’ literacy development there. Others move into resource positions including:
- classroom teachers of literacy
- reading interventionists
- reading teachers
- private literacy tutors
Required Courses (16 credits)
*EDRD 644 and EDRD 645 must be taken concurrently.
Sequence of literacy courses may vary depending on program format. Students must earn a B- or higher in all required courses.
Concentration in K-12 Literacy Instruction (non-licensure) (14 credits)
Coursework
Select 14 credits from the following (including at least 9 credits of EDRD courses):*
*Check course descriptions for prerequisites. Students may choose an alternate elective with advisor approval.
Total Credits: 30
Many of the elective courses (or others taken with advisor approval) can be applied to secondary graduate certificates within the College of Education and Human Development including Assistive Technology; Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy; Gifted Education; Add-On Endorsement in Special Education, General Curriculum; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for PK-12 Practitioners. Some of these certificates can lead to additional license endorsements. Interested students should speak with their advisor about these opportunities.
Fall Semester (classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester (classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester (classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: April 1
Space Available: August 18 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 10 |
Priority*: February 1
Space Available: May 15 |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Graduate application and fee
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation: Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- Transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the United States. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions information page for specific requirements regarding uploading unofficial transcripts.
- Applicants with transcripts from institutions outside of the United States could have additional requirements. Please refer to the How To Apply page for specific requirements about submitting international transcripts, evaluations, and English language proficiency.
- An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts. Expectation of an earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the student is applying will also meet this requirement. See the admissions policy here for information.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. The university, at its discretion, may, in evaluating the meeting of this requirement, additionally consider the difficulty of the baccalaureate degree, relevant work experience, any/or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study.
- International students should reference Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
- One year teaching experience
TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
Virginia Resident |
$748.50 (includes MSF*) |
Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50 (includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50 (includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee (non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Academic Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Hathaway, Academic Program Coordinator
Email: jhathaw2@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-5789
Each student is responsible for knowing Mason’s rules, regulations, requirements, administrative policies, and academic policies. The University Catalog, your program advisors, and the staff in the Student and Academic Affairs Office are key resources to assist you as you work toward completion of your degree requirements.
Literacy Program
Thompson Hall, Suite 1500
4400 University Drive, MS 4B3
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-993-7611
Fax: 703-993-5300
Email: literacy@gmu.edu