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For three consecutive years, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences online master’s degree in education programs have earned a spot in the U.S. News & World Report best online rankings.
Literacy Education
Gain the Skills You Need to Make a Life-Changing Difference in a Child’s Ability to Read and Write With Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s Master’s Degree in Literacy Education.
Why Earn an MS in Literacy Education?
In the literacy education master’s degree program, you will train to become both a teacher and a scholar in the literacy field, developing strong communication skills to aid you in educating and supporting students from diverse cultures, backgrounds and abilities. Learn to examine and analyze trends, contributing innovative solutions to the world of reading education that will help improve your ability to educate on the nuances of a child’s reading growth.
Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in New York?
- Build deep working relationships with your professors and peers thanks to small classroom settings.
- Gain hands-on experience through on-site practicum opportunities at our Literacy Center.
- Benefit from the expertise of our faculty experts who have extensive experience in the field.
- In addition to the MS in Literacy Education program being offered at our Garden City campus, we also offer a flexible format that lets you complete the program fully online, balancing your personal obligations and education.
As a third-grade teacher and a graduate student in the literacy program, I have already seen the benefits of implementing the skills and strategies I have learned at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» with my own class. The professors are knowledgeable and prepare you for the real world of teaching reading and writing to students of all ages.
Literacy and Reading Education Degree and Certification Options
Our literacy and reading education master’s degree program will prepare you for a variety of careers working with individual students at all literacy levels, whether it be as a classroom teacher, an interventional literacy teacher, a clinician, or a school district supervisor or coordinator of literacy charged with improving teaching and learning. We offer an integrated, theoretically grounded view geared toward addressing the needs of students and teachers in diverse communities.
Our literacy education master’s degree program will also prepare you to take and pass the required for your particular area of certification, which includes the Content Specialty Test in Literacy.
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
At Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», we believe hands-on experience is key to setting our students up for future career success. As a student in the literacy and reading education program, you will gain firsthand experience providing literacy assessments and instruction for students entering grades 1–12 both on campus and in neighboring public schools through the Literacy Center.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» literacy education students have the opportunity to work hands-on with children.
Literacy Education Graduate Program Info
Courses & Requirements
Master’s Degree in Literacy Education Application Requirements
Applicants must have a New York state teacher certification in addition to a minimum 3.0 GPA and should submit the following application requirements:
- Graduate application and $60 fee
- Online survey completed by two recommenders
- Personal essay
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
- Course-by-course evaluation: All graduate applicants with undergraduate-level work completed outside of the United States will be required to send a course-by-course evaluation of their academic work prepared by a NACES member organization. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» recommends you use or (discount provided for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» applicants), , or , but any evaluation would be acceptable.
Additional requirements for an MS in literacy education
Applicants interested in the advanced certificate program should submit the following:
- Final transcript documenting a master’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
Admissions
Understanding Costs and Savings
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FAQs: Master’s Degree in Literacy Education
A master’s degree in literacy prepares teachers to teach literacy in Birth-12 settings. Whether you want to become an early childhood educator, an elementary teacher or a high school teacher, a literacy degree will train you in both the foundations and details of how people learn to read, write and communicate through language. You will also be certified to be a building literacy specialist and literacy coach through this program, upon passing your New York state exams.
The field of education has switched to using the term “literacy” rather than “reading” to ensure a more inclusive view of language. The term “literacy” includes reading, writing and speaking, whereas reading had been a narrower definition of the language factors that play into our learning to communicate through text.
Reading specialists typically focus on intervening with struggling readers, while literacy specialists take on a broader role by helping teachers and designing school-wide curricula. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s Literacy Education Graduate Program provides you with the tools to succeed in either capacity.
Some people can complete in as short as a year and a half, if they have no other time commitments. Most students choose a more leisurely pace while they are becoming accustomed to their new jobs as teachers. The average student will take about 2 1/2 years to complete their master’s degree.
Yes, most students choose this option.
Yes. Our program meets the requirements for New York state literacy specialist certification, upon completing your state exam requirements. At present, we have a 100 percent pass rate on these exams.
Awards & Recognition
Colleges of Distinction: Education
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is recognized as a College of Distinction for education programs that are proven to produce confident, compassionate and classroom-ready teachers.
Best Online Master’s Programs in NY
Recognized among the best in New York, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s online master's programs combine academic excellence with the flexibility to help students advance their careers from anywhere.
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» earned national recognition in the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings for its strong student outcomes. The University ranked highly in social mobility and best salaries, reflecting the lifetime return on investment it provides to students.
Ranked one of the best
Forbes
For the third consecutive year, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has been recognized as the highest-ranked private university on Long Island on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Top Colleges list.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s Ranking
U.S. News & World Report
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has been named a Best College among National Universities for eight consecutive years. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» remains the top-ranked private university on Long Island.
Celebrate Our Rise
Colleges of Distinction: Equity & Inclusion
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has been honored for initiatives to become an increasingly welcoming, inclusive community for students and faculty.
Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education ranks Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in the top 8 percent of four-year universities in the United States and as one of the best universities in the world.
Global Recognition
Colleges of Distinction: Great Teaching
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is recognized as a College of Distinction with engaged faculty members who provide students with feedback and encouragement and help students learn to think for themselves.
Dedicated Faculty
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516.877.4097
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Harvey Hall 217
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Nexus Building First Floor
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