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Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Master of Reading
(MSR )

Teaching Certifications

M.Ed., MSR Faculty

Graduate Academic Services (GAS)

The Lincoln University Graduate Education Programs

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MSR READING SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

***The same criteria arequired for admission to the MSR Program apply to certification***

REQUIRED COURSES

Course #	Course Title
EDU 601.21	Theoretical Foundations of Reading Instruction
EDU 605.21	Reading in the Content Area
EDU 607.21	Literature and Literacy
EDU 609.21	Planning and Organizing Reading Programs
EDU 603.21	Reading and Language Disabilities
EDU 610.21	Practicum: Remedial, Corrective, and Developmental Reading

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Students must pass the Praxis II Subject Area Assessment, which measures a student’s content knowledge. The Specialty Area Test is for the Reading Specialist (0300). In lieu of student teaching, participants are required to take part in internship experiences for a minimum of 100 hours under the guidance of college personnel and cooperating teachers trained in reading education. These hours are divided among the six courses required for Reading Specialist Certification. Appropriate field experiences include, but are not limited to, planning and execution of instruction; case study testing; data collection; interviewing students, teachers, and parents; observation and evaluation of exemplary teachers; observation of students; attending in-service training; administration of student tests; and participation in non-teaching duties such as test scoring, data recording, and reviewing student literacy portfolios.

A. ENTRANCE CRITERIA (ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS)

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
2. Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate course work
3. A state-issued teaching certificate
   
4. Completed Graduate Program application with $50.00 non-refundable application fee
   
5. Updated resume/CV
   
6. Three letters of recommendation
   
7. A 300-500 word essay discussing a contemporary literacy issue or initiative
   • Issue/initiative must be precisely described
   • Pros and cons should be discussed
   • Candidate’s professional opinion should be included in the final paragraph

B. RETENTION CRITERIA

A Candidate must:

• Sign for at least two graduate level courses during each academic session to maintain the full time status.
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to stay in the program.
• Abide by The Lincoln University’s policies on sexual harassment, class attendance, and retention policies, which may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Student Services and Admissions.

C. EXIT CRITERIA  

Eligibility for Reading Specialist Certification is based on:

1. Successful completion of all required courses.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.
3. Repeating or removing courses with ‘F’ grade before applying for graduation.
4. Passing the Praxis II Specialty Area Test.
5. Completing 100 hours of internship experience.

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IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS

Implementation of Entrance Criteria

A Review Committee composed of, among others, the Graduate Education Academic Advisor and the Director of Graduate Admissions and Student Services conducts a thorough review of all applicants’ documents to determine if the admission requirements listed under the respectivecertification program are met.

Implementation of Retention Criteria

Students’ academic records are evaluated frequently.  Those students whose grades are on the borderline of the minimum cumulative grade point average as stated in the entrance criteria will be informed in writing of their academic status in their respective certification program.

Implementation of Exit Criteria

The Graduate Education Academic Advisor and the Chair or Assistant Chair of the Department of Education make the decision of whether a candidate meets the published exit criteria for Teacher Certification with the concentration in Elementary Education. The recommendation from the two individuals is then forwarded to the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Behavioral Studies for approval.

The Lincoln University
1570 Baltimore Pike, P.O. Box 179, Lincoln University, PA 19352 \ (484) 365-8000