Literacy, M.Ed.

The Clemson University Master of Education in Literacy is a 100% online graduate program to prepare literacy professionals who gain in-depth knowledge of literacy theories, strategies, and curriculum.  Our students take coursework in two strand options leading to add-on certifications in either literacy coaching or ESOL. The rigorous, practice-based curriculum prepares our students to advance their professional standing in just 24 months.  Our graduates utilize their knowledge to plan appropriate literacy practices for their classrooms, develop programs and curricula for their schools, and assume leadership positions at various levels in their districts.

• All Read to Succeed coursework completed.
• M.Ed. degree in Literacy with two endorsements in Literacy Teacher and Literacy Coach (Coaching strand for Elementary and Secondary) or certifications in Literacy Teacher and ESOL (ESOL strand).
• Acquisition of in-depth knowledge about literacy teaching and instruction rather than a general program of education that will transform your literacy teaching and your students’ literacy learning.
• Your development as a literacy leader who can support colleagues in literacy teaching and learning, particularly in relation to learners who are at-risk.

Admission to the Program 
Applications for the Master of Education in Literacy must be complete by the listed deadline below to be considered.  Admission decisions will be made shortly following the posted deadlines below. 

Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:

• November 15, All strands early decision applicants
• April 15, All strands to enroll in Summer

Application Requirements
To be considered for the program, applicants must:

• Have completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a recognized international university with a baccalaureate degree equivalent to a US bachelor's.
• Current teaching certificate.
• Submit a Graduate School application which requires:
  • Unofficial transcripts (Official transcripts will be required if you are accepted into the program.)
  • Competitive, official GRE scores (not required if the applicant has a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA) 
  • A current resume
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • A personal statement describing applicant’s goals and teaching philosophy 
  • Official TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students

Additional information concerning supporting materials can be found here.

The MED Literacy program requires 36 credit hours of coursework. Additional requirements for certifications may include requisite years of teaching experience, PRAXIS exam, and other requirements as indicated by the SC State Department of Education.

Literacy Coaching Strand

Successful completion of the M.Ed. in Literacy/Coaching will result in the Read to Succeed endorsement, Literacy Teacher and Literacy Coach certification.

EDLT 8100 – Foundations of Reading and Writing
EDLT 8110 – Children's Literature
EDLT 8120 – Assessment in Reading and Writing
EDLT 8130 – Instructional Strategies
EDLT 8150 – Guided Reading and Guided Writing
EDLT 8160 – Instructional Practicum: Differentiated Instruction for Literacy Learners
EDLT 8170 – Content Area Reading and Writing
EDLT 8180 – Organization, Administration, and Supervision in Literacy
EDLT 8190 – Coaching for Literacy Education
EDLT 8200 – Action Research in Coaching: Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change
EDLT 8210 – Practicum in Literacy Coaching
EDLT 8260- Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language Literacy

ESOL Strand

Successful completion of the M.Ed. in Literacy ESOL will result in the Read to Succeed endorsement, Literacy Teacher certification, and ESOL add-on certification.

EDLT 8100 – Foundations of Reading and Writing
EDLT 8110 – Children's Literature EDLT 8120 Assessment in Reading and Writing
EDLT 8120 – Assessment in Reading and Writing
EDLT 8130 – Instructional Strategies
EDLT 8140 – Reading and Writing Instruction and Assessment for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students
EDLT 8150 – Guided Reading and Guided Writing
EDLT 8170 – Content Area Reading and Writing
EDLT 8180 – Organization, Administration, and Supervision in Literacy
EDLT 8220 – Principles and Strategies for Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages
EDLT 8230 – Introduction to Linguistics
EDLT 8240- Practicum in the Instruction of ESOL Elementary & Secondary Learners
EDF 8250 – Cultural Diversity in the Classroom

Secondary Strand

Successful completion of the M.Ed. in Literacy/ Secondary will result in the Read to Succeed endorsement, Literacy Teacher certification and Literacy Coach certification.

EDLT 8100 – Foundations of Reading and Writing
EDLT 8110 – Children's Literature (emphasis on YA and adolescent literature)
EDLT 8120 – Assessment in Reading and Writing
EDLT 8150 – Guided Reading and Guided Writing (Secondary emphasis)
EDLT 8160 – Instructional Practicum: Differentiated Instruction for Literacy Learners
EDLT 8180 – Organization, Administration, and Supervision in Literacy
EDLT 8190 – Coaching for Literacy Education
EDLT 8200 – Action Research in Coaching: Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change
EDLT 8210 – Practicum in Literacy Coaching
EDLT 8260- Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language Literacy
EDLT 8270 – Content Area Reading and Writing
EDLT 8370- Disciplinary Literacy: Instructional Strategies for Middle & Secondary Teachers

Year One- Summer

Year One- Fall

Year One- Spring

Year Two- Summer

Year Two- Fall

Year Two- Spring

Year Three- Summer

Year Three- Fall

Year Three- Spring

With the support of CU Online, Clemson uses the most advanced online technology to provide a rich, supportive, seamless learning environment. Courses will be asynchronous thus allowing students to access courses when and where they need. While students have great flexibility in asynchronous learning, there are key deadlines in each course when learning modules must be completed. Students will be provided with timely support from instructors and technology  personnel so that learning is maximized. Canvas, a very user friendly learning management system, is used for all courses to guide the learning experiences. An orientation module will be provided before the start of the program to allow students to become comfortable with expectations and the technologies before classes formally start.

The online M.Ed. programs at Clemson University are among the most economically priced.

Tuition and Fees
This program is an Online Tier 5. Explore information on tuition and fees using the Student Financial Services’ tuition and fee calculator. (Be sure to choose the ‘Go to Online’ tab at the top of the page.)

S.C. Teacher Incentive
The Literacy M.Ed. offers a South Carolina Teacher Incentive reducing tuition by 10% for all in-state SC K-12 teachers/leaders.

Federal TEACH grant
Students may qualify for the TEACH grant (High need areas of ESOL and Reading Specialist).

Financial Aid
For information regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Literacy Teacher
The Literacy Teacher Certificate allows K-12 teachers to complete required coursework for the Literacy Teacher endorsement. In completing the four required courses, graduates establish a strong basis in the basic foundations literacy and are prepared to support the reading development of their K-12 classroom students. Those completing the certificate may submit their transcripts to the SC Department of Education.

Literacy Coach
The Literacy Coach Certificate provides coursework on the principles of coaching teachers and their students in literacy, opportunities to conduct school-based research in literacy coaching, and active engagement in school-based coaching experiences. Teachers strengthen their knowledge and skills as a literacy coach. The program of study allows K-12 teachers to complete required coursework for the Read to Succeed (R2S) Literacy Coach advanced endorsement by the SC Department of Education. Teachers may submit their transcripts to the SC Department of Education following successful completion of the course of study.

Literacy Specialist
The Literacy Specialist Certificate program provides content in advanced principles in literacy—theory, assessment, curriculum development and research. Completion of the certificate allows K-12 teachers to meet the requirements for the Read to Succeed (R2S) Literacy Specialist advanced endorsement by the SC Department of Education. Literacy Specialist will have developed the essential leadership skills and knowledge to address literacy needs, not just in English language art courses, but across content areas of instruction. Student may submit their transcripts to the SC Department of Education following successful completion of the course of study. The Certificate is a fully asynchronous online graduate certificate.

See Our ESOL Add-On Brochure

Clemson University College of Education offers the 5 courses required for the add-on certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. Starting this summer, all courses are offered online. You must apply to CU as either a MED-LITR-E degree seeking student or a certificate seeking student before you can register for classes.

The application information for certification only is located at clemson.edu/graduate/admissions/apply. Choose “Certificate” as type of program.

* The in-state tuition discount does not apply to students in the ESOL Certification program.

Completing Your ESOL Certificate
In addition to completing the required coursework, to be certified, teachers must also pass the PRAXIS exam and apply to the SC Department of Education. Please refer to the South Carolina Teacher Certification Manual for the most current certification requirements: ed.sc.gov/policy/federal-education-programs/esea-title-iii/esol-add-on-certification-requirements/

What is the PRAXIS examination pass rate for the Clemson University, College of Education M.Ed. Literacy program (Teaching Reading K-12: 5206; English to Speakers of Other Languages Test- Code 5362)?

The Clemson College of Education’s M.Ed. in Literacy requires all students to take the Literacy PRAXIS exam Teaching Reading K-12: 5206 during their final year of the program.  100% of our literacy students passed this exam with scores exceeding the minimum passing score by 11-37 points. Students in the M.Ed. Literacy ESOL Strand also take the ESOL PRAXIS English to Speakers of Other Languages Test- Code 5362 for certification. 100% of our students in the ESOL strand passed this exam with scores exceeding the minimum passing score by 22 to 39 points.

Who teaches Clemson University, College of Education M.Ed. in Literacy courses?

Our courses are taught by full-time Clemson faculty members in Literacy, including Rebecca Kaminski, EdD (M.Ed. Literacy Program and ESOL Coordinator), Phillip Wilder, PhD, Rachelle Savitz, PhD, Emily Howell, PhD, Lisa Aker, PhD, CC Bates, PhD (Reading Recovery Director)

Can I work full- or part-time while completing the program? 

Yes. We encourage individuals to work in an education setting while completing the program to gain experience implementing strategies and interventions discussed in the courses.

Does this program include required practicum experiences?

Yes. All practicum experiences are completed in your current school district. You will not have to take time away from your teaching position. You will have course assignments that will require you to have access to students and recording technology (such as. Smart phone).

Do I need to be online for class at a certain time?

No. All coursework is asynchronous. You will have established deadlines within each course but will not have required live sessions. However, faculty will be available to assist and support students.

Does program completion lead to any additional certifications?

Yes. The M.Ed. Literacy program includes all requirements for the Literacy Teacher Certificate. In addition, students also complete all requirements for either the Literacy Coach Certificate or the ESOL Certification depending on their chosen program of study. Upon the Literacy Coach program completion, students can add the Literacy Specialist Certificate by completing 2 additional courses.

Is the M.Ed. Literacy program accredited?

Yes.  Our MED Literacy program is accredited by the International Literacy Association (ILA). We received the highest rating on our program review. Achieving ILA accreditation demonstrates that our program adheres to a rigorous set of standards for preparing literacy professionals.

Review our College of Education Graduate Calendar to view upcoming events and information sessions.

For general information regarding the program, please contact Rebecca Kaminski at krebecc@clemson.edu.

For questions associated with applying to this program, please contact Alison Search at alisonp@clemson.edu or (864) 250-8880.