ALL PROGRAMS | College of Education & Human Development Programs

What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

  • A minimum of 36 semesters is required.
  • Program can be completed in 4 semesters if you take 3 classes a semester.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Timeline View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: Does not admit
  • Spring: Does not admit
  • Summer: Does not admit

Literacy Education, M.Ed.

The M.Ed. in Literacy Education is a flexible, hybrid program with a mix of face-to-face and online classes, designed with the working education professional in mind. The program provides advanced educator preparation for the study of literacy processes and literacy instruction for culturally diverse learners in urban areas. This program is open to certified teachers, regardless of initial preparation area, and no GRE scores are required. If you are a teacher with a T4 and certified in Early Childhood Education, English Language Arts or Reading Education at grades 4-8 or 6-12, completion of this program results in eligibility for a certification upgrade.

*The M.Ed. in Literacy Education is temporarily on hold and not accepting applications for 2024.

Select a concentration:

  • Digital Literacies (for non-teachers – NOT accepting applications at this time)
  • Family, Community & Culture (for non-teachers – NOT accepting applications at this time)
  • Literacy Specialist (NOT accepting applications at this time)

See the catalog for courses in each concentration. You may enter the program at any time and take classes at your own pace, and the program coordinator will work with you to ensure you have a workable plan. Classes are taught by outstanding, award-winning faculty affiliated with the Language and Literacy unit in Middle and Secondary Education. Professors have conducted research in literacy education.

View M.Ed. in Literacy Education Sample Course Progressions Document »

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

Program Highlights

Add Optional Endorsements

Students can also add an English to Speakers of Other Languages endorsement and/or a Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement. Once accepted into this program, you can declare your intention to pursue an endorsement. Once the courses for the endorsement are completed, you can submit your application to receive the endorsement.

Develop a Professional Portfolio

Students complete a professional portfolio as an exit requirement that demonstrates mastery of professional standards from the Literacy Research Association for classroom teachers of reading. This portfolio can be shared with other teachers and administrators to demonstrate knowledge or to provide professional development.

Program Details

Concentrations

Select a concentration:

  • Digital Literacies (teacher certification is not required for admission)
  • Families, Communities and Culture (teacher certification not required for admission)
  • Literacy Specialist (not accepting applications at this time)

When applying to the Literacy Education, M.Ed. program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommender on the application)
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA required for admission
    • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
    • if you select “Literacy Specialist” concentration: submit proof that you meet certification requirements for any field in Georgia
    • if you select and complete the “Literacy Specialist” concentration: you will need to provide Proof of Standard Professional Certification (3 years classroom experience) to the Georgia PSC when applying for certification as a Reading Specialist

Program of Study

Master of Education in Literacy Education

Professional Studies (9)
Students are encouraged to complete the following professional studies courses early in their programs.

Select one (3):

Select one (3):

Required (3):

  • EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)

Teaching Field/Major (27)

Required Literacy Core (9):

  • EDRD 7600 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Literacy (3)
  • EDRD 7630 Literacy in the Content Areas (3)
  • EDRD 7650 Individualized Literacy Assessment and Instruction (3)

Teachers who have been selected for training in Reading Recovery may substitute ECE 7370 for EDRD 7650.

Choose one concentration (18 hours):

Reading Instruction/Specialist Concentration (18)
Required (15):

  • EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3)
  • EDLA 7150 Children’s and Adolescents’ Literature (3)
  • EDRD 7260 Early Literacy Development and Instruction (3) OR ECE 9420 Early Literacy Learning (3)
  • EDRD 7550 Literacy Assessment and Curriculum Development (3)
  • EDRD 8610 Professional Learning and Leadership of Literacy (3)

Literacy Elective (3):
The course may be selected from the list below (if not taken in a concentration) or from other literacy-related courses with consent of a language and literacy education adviser.

  • ECE 7380 Reading Recovery Clinical Teacher III (3)
  • ECE 7580 Language Foundations of Literacy Learning: From Acquiring Oral Language to Reading Words (3)
  • ECE 8400 Teacher Development (3)
  • ECE 8680 Internship in Teacher Support (3)
  • EDCI 7980 Teaching and Learning in Urban Contexts (3)
  • EDCI 8810 Directed Readings and Research in Teaching and Learning (1-3)
  • EDLA 7440 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Literature (3)
  • EDLA 7460 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Writing (3)
  • EDLA 7480 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of the English Language (3)
  • EDRD 7360 Literacy and Digital Media (3)
  • EDRD 8280 Literacy for a Diverse Society (3)
  • EDRD 8550 Trends and Issues in Language and Literacy Education (3)
  • EXC 7190 Alternative Approaches to Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
  • LT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)
  • TSLE 7250 Applied Linguistics for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7440 Methods and Materials for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)

Note: Completion of ECE 8400 and ECE 8680 will qualify candidates for a Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement.

Digital Literacies Concentration (18)
Choose Four Courses (12):

  • ECE 7760 Create to Learn (3)
  • EDLA 7460 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Writing (3)
  • EDRD 7360 Literacy and Digital Media (3)
  • EDRD 8550 Trends and Issues in Language and Literacy Education (3)
  • LT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)
  • Other courses related to this concentration may be selected with consent of advisor.

Literacy Electives (6)
Select 2 courses (6): Courses may be selected from the list below (if not taken in a concentration) or from other literacy-related courses with consent of a language and literacy education adviser.

  • ECE 7380 Reading Recovery Clinical Teacher III (3)
  • ECE 7580 Language Foundations of Literacy Learning: From Acquiring Oral Language to Reading Words (3)
  • ECE 8400 Teacher Development (3)
  • ECE 8680 Internship in Teacher Support (3)
  • EDCI 7980 Teaching and Learning in Urban Contexts (3)
  • EDCI 8810 Directed Readings and Research in Teaching and Learning (1-3)
  • EDLA 7150 Children’s and Adolescents’ Literature (3)
  • EDLA 7440 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Literature (3)
  • EDLA 7460 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Writing (3)
  • EDLA 7480 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of the English Language (3)
  • EDRD 7360 Literacy and Digital Media (3)
  • EDRD 7550 Literacy Assessment and Curriculum Development (3)
  • EDRD 8280 Literacy for a Diverse Society (3)
  • EDRD 8550 Trends and Issues in Language and Literacy Education (3)
  • EDRD 8610 Professional Learning and Leadership of Literacy (3)
  • EXC 7190 Alternative Approaches to Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
  • LT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)
  • TSLE 7250 Applied Linguistics for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7440 Methods and Materials for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)

Note: Completion of ECE 8400 and ECE 8680 will qualify candidates for a Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement.

Families Communities and Culture Concentration (18)
Required (3):

Select Three Courses (9):
Courses may be selected from the list below or from other literacy-related courses with consent of a language and literacy education adviser.

  • CPS 7500 Individual and Family Over the Lifespan (3)
  • EDCI 7980 Teaching Learning in Urban Contexts (3)
  • EDLA 8330 Language Variation and Learning (3)
  • EDRD 8210 Family and Community Literacies (3)
  • EDRD 8280 Literacy for a Diverse Society (3)
  • TSLE 7250 Applied Linguistics for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7440 Methods and Materials for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)

Note: Completion of TSLE 7250,TSLE 7260, TSLE 7440, and EDCI 7660 along with a portfolio will qualify candidates for an ESOL Endorsement at the level of their base certificate.

Literacy Electives (6)
Select 2 courses (6): Courses may be selected from the list below (if not taken in a concentration) or from other literacy-related courses with consent of a language and literacy education adviser.

  • ECE 7380 Reading Recovery Clinical Teacher III (3)
  • ECE 7580 Language Foundations of Literacy Learning: From Acquiring Oral Language to Reading Words (3)
  • ECE 8400 Teacher Development (3)
  • ECE 8680 Internship in Teacher Support (3)
  • EDCI 7980 Teaching and Learning in Urban Contexts (3)
  • EDCI 8810 Directed Readings and Research in Teaching and Learning (1-3)
  • EDLA 7150 Children’s and Adolescents’ Literature (3)
  • EDLA 7440 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Literature (3)
  • EDLA 7460 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Writing (3)
  • EDLA 7480 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of the English Language (3)
  • EDRD 7360 Literacy and Digital Media (3)
  • EDRD 7550 Literacy Assessment and Curriculum Development (3)
  • EDRD 8280 Literacy for a Diverse Society (3)
  • EDRD 8550 Trends and Issues in Language and Literacy Education (3)
  • EDRD 8610 Professional Learning and Leadership of Literacy (3)
  • EXC 7190 Alternative Approaches to Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
  • LT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)
  • TSLE 7250 Applied Linguistics for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
  • TSLE 7440 Methods and Materials for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)

Note: Completion of ECE 8400 and ECE 8680 will qualify candidates for a Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement.

Students must complete a portfolio as an exit requirement.

Program total: minimum of 36 semester hours

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State offers a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Student Resources

Description

Careers

  • Our graduates have obtained positions as literacy coaches and reading coaches in a variety of public and private schools. Others are leaders in educational nonprofits and for-profit educational enterprises.
  • Candidates in this program complete a professional portfolio as an exit requirement that demonstrates mastery of professional standards from the Literacy Research Association. This portfolio can be shared with other teachers and administrators to demonstrate knowledge or used to provide professional development.

Contacts

Program Coordinator
Nadia Behizadeh
[email protected]
404-413-8397

Middle and Secondary Education
[email protected]
404-413-8060

Mailing Address & Office Location
Middle and Secondary Education
College of Education & Human Development, 6th Floor
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

College of Education Logo30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.