Program Overview
Through engaging course content and required hands-on field experience in schools and classrooms, students study the most current theories, models, and approaches used to teach reading. Students learn how to assess reading ability, apply reading techniques in the classroom, and create reading programs tailored to the needs of individual readers as well as groups. The program goes beyond the traditional training in assessment and instruction to include administration and leadership courses.
$11,203.10*
Total Program Tuition
As few as 10 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
$11,203.10*
Total Program Tuition
As few as 10 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
This program will prepare you for many job opportunities, including Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, and Lead Teacher.
The MEDCI – Reading & Literacy online program offers:
- Preparation to teach kindergarten through high school grades
- Training in a variety of teaching strategies including phonics and balanced literacy
- Experience and involvement with the International Literacy Association
The teacher education programs at Louisiana State University Shreveport meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Why choose the LSU Shreveport online Master of Education?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts "good to excellent" job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years
- CareerBuilder® says elementary school teachers with master's degrees earn starting salaries 32% higher than teachers with a bachelor’s
- O*NET OnLine forecasts 573,200 job openings for elementary school teachers between 2010 and 2020
- "The most rewarding opportunities will be offered to master's-educated teachers with the in-demand skills this program offers." - (University official)
Also available online:
Students may qualify for a federal TEACH Grant for this high-need program, with up to $3,752 per award year.**
Tuition
The MEDCI – Reading & Literacy online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3 Credit-Hour Course | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
| $307.49 | $65.95 | $373.44 | $922.46 | $197.85 | $1,120.31 |
"As part of the LSU System, there is a standard we're expected to uphold that we're going to expect our students to uphold. They're really getting a very high quality education at tuition prices that are significantly lower than lots of other universities."
Dr. Melissa Hawthorne, Assistant Professor, Online M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
Calendar
The MEDCI – Reading & Literacy online program is designed to be convenient for working professionals, featuring 7-week courses and several start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Start Date | App Deadline | Doc Deadline | Registration Begins | Early Registration & Tuition Deadline | Final Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/18/2019 | 2/25/2019 | 3/4/2019 | 11/5/2018 | 3/6/2019 | 3/13/2019 |
| 5/13/2019 | 4/22/2019 | 4/29/2019 | 4/8/2019 | 5/1/2019 | 5/8/2019 |
| 7/8/2019 | 6/17/2019 | 6/24/2019 | 4/8/2019 | 6/26/2019 | 7/3/2019 |
| 9/2/2019 | 8/12/2019 | 8/19/2019 | 4/8/2019 | 8/21/2019 | 8/28/2019 |
| 10/28/2019 | 10/7/2019 | 10/14/2019 | 4/8/2019 | 10/16/2019 | 10/23/2019 |
Note: All payments must be made no later than 11:30 p.m. CST. Payment for classes added after the Final Tuition Deadline will need to be made prior to 11:30 p.m. the next day. Students who register and/or pay after the Final Tuition Deadline may be subject to a $50 late fee.
Admissions
Take the first step toward earning your degree and reaching a new milestone in your education. We’ve simplified the process so you can get started quickly and easily. Students interested in the MEDCI – Reading & Literacy online program must meet the following requirements for admission.
- Submit graduate application and $20 application fee
- At least one year of professional work experience as verified by a professional resume
- A valid teaching certificate OR a letter of recommendation/support from a current principal or supervisor; AND
- Graduate degree from an accredited university, OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA or minimum 2.75 GPA in last 60 semester hours of courses, OR
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with minimum 2.5 overall GPA or minimum 2.5 GPA in last 60 semester hours of courses, AND a minimum GRE score of 286 combined verbal and quantitative scores or 281 with a 3.5 in writing.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and any other required official documents
Official transcripts, official test scores, and other materials that come from third-party sources should be mailed to:
LSUSAdmissions and Records Office
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
Transcripts may also be submitted via secure means—e.g., eSCRIP-SAFE—to admissions@lsus.edu.
Additional Information
View Graduate School Admissions +
To be considered for admission to any of our graduate programs, students must first meet the LSUS Graduate School admission requirements.
Graduates of colleges or universities accredited by the proper regional accrediting association may apply for admission to graduate study at LSUS. Admission is restricted to include only those students whose academic records indicate they can successfully undertake graduate work in the proposed area. Admission to graduate study at LSUS requires that all previously undertaken graduate work meets LSUS academic standards.
Unconditional Admission: For unconditional admission to graduate study, students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution attended and meet all admission requirements of a degree program. The following categories of students are eligible for unconditional admission to graduate study at LSUS.
Students With a Graduate Degree From a Regionally Accredited University [+]
Unless specified otherwise by individual programs, graduate students who possess a graduate degree previously earned from a regionally accredited university are eligible for unconditional admission.
Students With an Undergraduate Degree and Some Graduate Course Work [+]
Applicants who have some graduate course work but do not possess a previously earned graduate degree must have a minimum 2.50 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on the undergraduate degree or a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the undergraduate degree program and a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on any graduate work attempted, with no grades of D or F.
Students With an Undergraduate Degree and No Previous Graduate Course Work [+]
Applicants who do not possess a previously earned graduate degree must have a minimum 2.50 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on the undergraduate degree or a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the degree program. Individual graduate programs might have their own GPA and other admission requirements that are different than the above.
View International Admission Requirements +
International applicants must meet regular admission requirements for their selected program. In addition, you may be required to submit the following additional information.
- Submit graduate application and $30 application fee
- TOEFL/IELTS scores
- If your native language is not English, you must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper administered test, 80 on the internet-based version, or 213 on the computer-based version on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless a degree has been obtained from an accredited United States institution. Additional information regarding the exams can be found at teofl.org or ielts.org.
- Applicants may be exempt if they meet one of the following criteria:
- U.S. citizens (this includes U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa)
- Permanent resident
- Citizen of a TOEFL/IELTS exempt country. Exempted countries can be verified here.
- An official transcript (sent directly from the registrar) from all colleges/universities attended should be sent to the Admissions and Records Office. Transcript(s) should reflect all graduate and undergraduate work and any degrees previously awarded.
- Post-secondary level or college academic records from each institution attended outside the U.S. require an English-translated, course-by-course evaluation. All foreign credentials must be submitted in English to Admissions and Records using a member organization of one of the following two national associations of credential evaluation services:
- Foreign medical graduates may submit evaluations from:
Hand-delivered evaluations must remain in the original, sealed, unopened envelope to be considered official. Official transcripts may be mailed directly from the granting institution(s) to:
LSUSAdmissions and Records Office
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
Transcripts may also be submitted via secure means—e.g., eSCRIP-SAFE—to admissions@lsus.edu.
"I hear our graduates talk about the small classes, the quality of instruction, the ability to work one on one with instructors and professors, the ability to expand their projects or whatever they’re working on, and the support they get to do that."
-Dr. Debbie Williams, Associate Professor, Online M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
Courses
Students in the MEDCI - Reading & Literacy online program must complete 30 credit hours of course work, including six foundation courses (18 credit hours), and four specialization courses (12 credit hours).
Students must complete the following courses.
EDL 740: Introduction to Graduate Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of research methods and their empirical foundations. It provides basic practical knowledge on how to find, review, and critique academic and applied research in education and leadership. In addition, students will learn to develop appropriate research questions.
ED 720: Curriculum
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A systematic study of the history, theory and practice of curriculum development in American education.
ED 780: Educational Technology Applied to the Classroom
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A hands on, project-centered course using technology in the classroom, with attention to selection of hardware and software, use of multimedia authoring tools and communications technology in the development of instructional materials.
ED 734: Creating Multicultural Connections through Literature
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course emphasizes a critical approach to examination and selection of literature for K-16 school settings. Review and analysis of theories establish a foundation upon which to critique examples of literature, to view personal practice, and to adjust instructional approaches. Candidates will explore and identify literature selections to generate a stronger connection for all learners.
EDL 700: Creating a Professional Learning Community
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) provides potential teacher leaders and administrators with a structure for continuing professional growth and information and activities aligned with best practices and current research on initiatives that support the Louisiana Accountability System, the School Improvement Process, and the Standards for School Principals in Louisiana.
EDL 707: Utilizing Data for School Improvement
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the collection and analysis of data sources relevant in educational settings and emphasizes analyses of work samples, observations, inquiry data, artifacts, and standardized test scores. Throughout the course students collect and analyze school improvement data.
Students must complete the following courses.
ED 740: Foundations in Reading
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of the theories and models of reading and the various instructional approaches to the teaching of reading. Provides an overview of the reading process from emergent literacy through adulthood. Includes practical training in vocabulary and comprehension development.
ED 741: Reading Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of formal and informal diagnostic tests and techniques used in assessing reading ability with emphasis on organizing and implementing assessment based instruction.
ED 743: Practicum in Reading
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Emphasis is on the application of specialized remedial techniques. A minimum of 25 hours of interaction with children in a tutorial setting is required. Prerequisites -- ED 741
ED 744: Content Area Reading
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Strategies and practices for teaching reading in the content areas including social studies, mathematics, English, science and other areas. The focus is on middle school and high school classroom instruction.
*Includes tuition and fees based on Spring 2019 pricing and subject to change without notice.
**TEACH Grant eligible up to $3,752 per award year; awards may vary. Please contact the university financial aid department for more information. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants enrolled in approved degree program(s).
