Master of Science in Reading

Three options are offered in the Reading program:  Master of Science in Reading, Master of Science in Reading with Reading Specialist Certification and Fast-Track Master of Science in Reading with Reading Specialist Certification.

Presently in the United States there are more than 90 million illiterate adults. Gwynedd-Mercy College seeks to address this problem with a two-fold thrust.

1.  Preventive Goal: Improve the instruction of reading at the elementary, middle and secondary levels, thereby increasing the literacy level of those participating in basic education.

2.  Corrective Goal: Promote an understanding of the reading process and instructional techniques appropriate for those working to connect reading deficits and remediate reading disabilities in the school-age population as well as for those educators seeking to eliminate lilliteracy among the adult population.

The body of research on reading is enormous. This program provides a forum for systematically studying the cutting edge of this literature in order to discover its application to practice, thereby graduating reflective practitioners. The program has various options in order to accommodate different academic and career goals.

The Master of Science in Reading (without certification) consists of 33 credits.

The Master of Science in Reading (with certification) consists of 36 credits. Certified teachers with a Master of Science degree seeking the Reading Specialist Certificate must apply for the Reading Specialist Certification program. All applications will be evaluated on an individual basis; additional course work will have to be completed to asure that all compentency areas are met before the student is recommended for certification.

Students who complete this program satisfactorily are eligible for Reading Specialist Certification for teaching in the public schools of Pennsylvania. The recommendation for this certification is contingent upon passing the Praxis II.

To apply for the Master of Science in Reading either with or without certification, please call 1-800-205-5900 or e-mail graduate@gmc.edu.

The Fast-Track Master of Science in Reading with Reading Specialist Certification consists of 36 credits and is offered through our Center for Lifelong Learning at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia or the Gwynedd-Mercy College Center for Lifelong Learning Plymouth Meeting campus at East Norriton.

There are two options available through the Fast Track Program. The Master of Science in Reading with Certification option is comprised of 12 courses. Classes meet one night per week and last 7 weeks.  The reading certification only option is scheduled in the same manner as the degree program, has a pre-requisite graduate degree in education, and is comprised of 7 courses. Students enrolled in the degree program take classes as part of a cohort. The cohort model allows the student to complete the program with the same  group of classmates. The cohort model is intended to build good working and learning relationships for students.

Reference Report
Transcript Request
CLL Graduate Education Application

For more information on the Fast Track program, speak to a Center for Lifelong Learning enrollment counselor at 1-877-499-6333.