Master's of Education in Reading Moves to NSU Broken Arrow

Teachers, education students, and those interested in obtaining their certification in reading can now do so in Broken Arrow. Beginning in January of next year, Northeastern State University's entire Master's of Education in Reading program will be offered on its Broken Arrow campus. A 32-hour program (plus capstone experience), the Master of Education in Reading degree facilitates classroom teachers- in-depth understanding of the reading process and their knowledge of how children learn to read and write. The program was formerly offered on NSU-s Muskogee campus.

Specialists Needed. According to Oklahoma Department of Education official, Dr. Carol Lindgreen, the state of Oklahoma is in dire need of reading specialists. In addition, teachers are seeking effective ways of instruction, curriculum development, and assessment skills to aid them in their everyday instruction and to assist them while their role as educators continue to change.

In addition to their preparation as classroom teachers, reading teachers and reading specialists, graduates of Northeastern-s Master-s of Education in Reading are prepared to serve as key resources for literacy assessment and as a school site-based collaborative consultant to colleagues, parents, and other professionals. Many graduates serve as classroom teachers, reading specialists, literacy coaches, reading specialists in the industry and instructors of reading at community college.

Answering the Need. The program is designed to meet all of the International Reading Association-s (IRA) competencies for classroom teachers, reading teachers, reading consultants, and reading supervisors. Both the IRA competencies and the Oklahoma State Objectives for Reading Specialists are embedded within the coursework of this program. Students may elect to take the state certification test in reading upon completion of their master-s degree or opt to participate in a 20-hour certification program. NSU's Master of Education in Reading program and Reading Specialist Certification program are nationally recognized by the International Reading Association and the National Council Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE).

Future program plans include hosting the NSU Reading Clinic, a first to 12th-grade reading program that focus on improving reading, writing, and study skills beginning in spring 2005. Area children will be able to come to the campus reading clinic and receive supervised, individual instruction in reading from graduate students near completion of their program. Also, in addition to summer course offerings, NSU Broken Arrow will begin offering weekend and intersession courses beginning in fall 2005.

For more information on the Master's of Education in Reading Program, contact Dr. Stephan Sargent at 918-449-6153, Dr. Mindy Smith at 918-449-6000 or Dr. Debbie Smith (Tahlequah) at 918-456-3749. For more information on additional graduate programs, contact NSU's Graduate College at 918-456-5511, ext. 2093.