Literacy, Master of Education

This graduate program is designed for the practicing classroom teacher who, rather than seeking additional certification, is motivated to become a more accomplished teacher of reading and writing a reflective practitioner and master teacher in all areas of literacy instruction.

Program Distinctives

The Master of Education in Literacy Program combines several distinctive features to enhance graduates' learning experiences

• A significant focus on improving classroom instruction in the areas of reading and writing as well as in the strategic selection and use of literature
• Quality Reading Specialist Licensure as part of the masters experience
• Professional learning/hosting opportunities at Judson's three-day Literacy in Motion Conference featuring national, state, and local experts and authors
• Books for every course included in program tuition price and delivered to students in class
• Complimentary one year membership or renewal in state literacy organization - The Illinois Reading Council
• A self-selected area of growth in literacy research culminating in an article submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal
• Quality professors who are truly experts in the field, including IL Reading Educator of the Year, Kane County Teacher of the Year, and National Milken Foundation Award Winners
• Three Anchor courses with split sections (one section for K-3 grade teachers and one section for 4-12 grade teachers)
• Degree completion in fourteen months
• Class one night per week during the school year and some Saturdays
• Cohort size of approximately 15-20 people
• Competitive tuition with a variety of convenient payment options and no hidden or additional fees of any kind

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Education in Literacy Program will...

Know the Literacy Learner

Graduates will broaden their understanding of the process of literacy development and the impact of motivation, language, and culture on the individual learner.

Make Informed Instructional Decisions

Graduates will expand working knowledge of current research and their ability to interpret student assessments in order to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

Select a Variety of Literature to Enhance Instruction

Graduates will expand their working knowledge of a broad range of literature and of its role in supporting meaningful instruction, developing accomplished literacy learners, and fostering a lifelong love of reading and writing.

Apply Effective Literacy Practices 

Graduates will enhance their knowledge of language literacy which includes strategies for the teaching of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing as well as the use of technology to enhance instruction.

Engage in Professional Development as a Career-Long Effort and Responsibility

Graduates will cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the need to continually refine instruction through professional development that challenges personal ideology and teaching practice.

Important Notes

• No grade lower than C is accepted. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
• No major program courses may be exempted or taken at another college.
• In addition to successful completion of all courses, students must have successfully submitted a research-based feature article to a peer-reviewed journal.
• Students must be approved by the Program Director of the Master of Literacy Program, the Division Chair of Education and the faculty for graduation.
• Students must choose a focus area in grades K-3 or grades 4-12.

Major Requirements

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Students with a focus in grades K-3 should register for section 1 of the focus area courses. Students with a focus in grades 4-12 should register for section 2.