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Reading Education Programs at UNC Charlotte

Reading and literacy are fundamental to learning across all subjects and levels in school. Beyond the classroom, literacy skills are vital for success in the workplace, civic participation and navigating most facets of our lives. The reading education programs in the Cato College of Education seek to prepare educators to help students at all levels to support reading and literacy in and out of schools.

Here are some points that highlight the quality of the reading programs at UNC Charlotte:

  • A recent independent report commissioned by the North Carolina Board of Governors rated UNC Charlotte’s Cato College of Education as “Strong” in training teachers in literacy instruction – the only public university in the state to earn that recognition.
  • Selected by the Mebane Foundation to help continue its legacy of supporting innovation in literacy education in North Carolina and beyond through a five-year grant and potential endowment of up to $23 million.
  • U.S. News & World Report #23 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs. 

While students in all licensure programs in the Cato College of Education receive instruction in reading and literacy, we offer several programs from undergraduate to graduate that build depth of knowledge and skill in teaching for literacy educators. Here is a snapshot of these programs with links to more in-depth information about each:

Minor in Reading Education & Early Entry to the M.Ed. in Reading program

The Minor in Reading Education is an 18-credit-hour program for undergraduate teacher education students. This program is designed for students already seeking initial licensure in another content area who wish to gain expertise in reading methods in the K-12 public school setting.

Early entry provides undergraduates with the opportunity to complete up to a third of the M.Ed. in Reading while working on their undergraduate teacher education program. Additionally, Elementary Education majors completing the Reading Education Minor can count up to 9 hours of graduate courses toward BOTH the M.Ed. in Reading and the Reading Minor. Either way, early entry is a great way to complete part of your master’s in reading as an undergraduate teacher education student. One added benefit is that some graduate reading courses are offered during the summer.

Advanced Literacy Instruction & Intervention Certificate

The ALII Certificate is a fully online 12-hour graduate certificate program designed to provide teachers and other educational professionals with tools to meet the literacy and learning needs of K-12 students. Apply to start the program any term: Fall or Spring.

Master’s in Reading Education

Learn more about our Graduate Reading Programs.

The M.Ed. in Reading Education is a 33 credit-hour fully online program designed for classroom teachers, aspiring literacy and reading specialists and others whose work involves literacy education who are interested in improving instructional programs and practices that promote literacy among all learners. Apply to start the program any term: Spring, Summer or Fall.

Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with a Concentration in Reading

The Literacy Education strand of the Curriculum and Instruction Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Reading Education, English Education, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Foreign Language Teacher Education encompassing dimensions of language, culture, and literacies broadly defined as they relate to urban education.

Have questions about our programs? Email us at reading-programs@charlotte.edu


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