Join Our Online Graduate Literacy Programs
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Are you seeking a master’s degree in literacy, or do you need master’s level courses
for the SC Read to Succeed Endorsement?
Then join our new program, now 100% online! USCB’s Education Department will prepare teachers like you to improve reading achievement in PreK-12 classrooms in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, nationwide and beyond.
This professional development opportunity is designed for in-service teachers, with a combination of online and field-based coursework. You’ll join a cohort, so you’ll be building both intellectual and social ties, and you’ll be taught by scholar-teachers with broad and deep experience in the field.
There are two ways to participate:
- The M.Ed. in Literacy: a 30-hour master’s degree program, which leads to add-on certification as a literacy teacher and a literacy coach; or
- The Graduate Certificate: a 12-credit, 4-course program, that leads to the South Carolina Read to Succeed Endorsement
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Program Goals
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, conceptual, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language, the ways in which they interrelate, and the role of the reading/literacy specialist in schools
- Use foundational knowledge to design literacy curricula to meet the needs of learners, especially those who experience difficulty with reading and to design, implement, and evaluate small-group and individual instruction for learners
- Understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure students’ literacy achievement
- Demonstrate knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity; demonstrate an understanding of themselves and others as cultural beings; create classrooms and schools that are inclusive and affirming and advocate for equity at school, district, and community levels
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners, integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways and foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment
- Demonstrate the ability to be reflective literacy professionals, who apply their knowledge of adult learning to work collaboratively with colleagues; demonstrate their leadership and facilitation skills; advocate on behalf of teachers, students, families, and communities
- Complete supervised, integrated, extended clinical experiences that include intervention work with students. Also, to develop professionals who work with their peers and experienced colleagues in school-based setting(s)
- Construct research-based literacy programs within the school and guide faculty and staff in becoming highly effective literacy teachers
- General Information
- Course List
- Cost
What are the application requirements?
- 30 Credit Hour M.Ed. in Literacy
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Only in-service teachers are eligible for admission. In addition to the general institutional admission requirements, these are the additional admission requirements for the M.Ed.:
- Transcripts of all prior academic work, with an average overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Two letters of recommendation (one of which confirms that the applicant is a full-time, in-service teacher)
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- 12 Credit Hour Graduate Certificate for the SC Read to Succeed Endorsement
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Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Possession of a valid teaching certificate/license
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Education Masters Courses
| Course Name | Description |
|---|---|
| EDRD B619* Foundations of Reading (3) |
This course provides candidates with comprehensive knowledge of the social, cultural, and linguistic factors that influence reading development. Emphasis is placed on practical application of theory, oral language development, phonemic awareness and phonics. |
| EDRD B623* Differentiation in Reading Instruction (3) |
This course requires that candidates conduct in-depth study of effective instructional strategies and current literacy methods and materials for instruction and formative assessment for K-12 classrooms. Emphasis is on serving the instructional needs of all students including the following groups: struggling readers, culturally diverse readers, distracted and disabled, and gifted and talented. |
| EDRD B624* Assessment and Instruction of English Language Learners (3) |
This course focuses on determining reading and language needs of English learners through the use of screening and diagnostic assessments and using that information to inform teaching of English learners within the classroom setting. Candidates learn to administer quick assessments and design instruction and how instruction varies and students acquire language. Candidates choose one student’s data to present in a case study format. |
| EDRD B625 Assessment Strategies for Reading (3) |
This course will examine various types of assessments that will determine student’s strengths and areas for further instruction. In-service teachers will work with students to assess their reading by giving a baseline measure, interpret the data and select appropriate instructional strategies and materials for students based on data. Teachers will also be able to locate and administer non-biased assessments to culturally and linguistically diverse students. |
| EDRD B626* Writing Across the Curriculum (3) |
The course focuses on writing instruction related to developing the traits of good writing in fiction and nonfiction, along with the use of writer’s workshop for K-12 students. |
| EDRD B629* Content Area Reading and Writing (3) |
This course is designed to instruct graduate candidates, grades k-12, in developing methods and materials that will improve their students’ literacy skills in the content areas of math, social studies, science, and health. Emphasis is on the application of strategies that will support students in reading, writing, and working with media in the context of content area instruction. |
| EDRD B640P Practicum in Assessing and Teaching English Language Learners (3) |
Supervised clinical experience in literacy that is implemented in the classroom. Candidates will demonstrate proficiency in planning, assessing and teaching using various methods of reading and writing that serve the needs of English Language Learners. |
| EDRD B645 Advanced Coaching for Literacy Education (3) |
Candidates will gain the skills to create, manage and evaluate school-wide reading programs. This includes learning adult learning theories, developing professional learning opportunities, and supervising the literacy program. |
| EDRD B650 Capstone: Literacy Coaching Seminar (3) |
This course is the culmination of the M.Ed. program and focuses on bringing together all of the South Carolina Literacy Competencies for Reading Coaches (SCDE, 2015). Candidates participate in presentations by various literacy specialists and exemplary literacy coaches from South Carolina, evaluate a variety of literacy programs, materials, and assessments, and prepare a professional portfolio. |
| EDRM B626 Research for Literacy Instruction (3) |
This course provides an overview of the principles, models, and techniques of educational research. A substantial portion of this course focuses on the acquisition of critical reading skills and on the analysis and interpretation of data produced by educational investigation and inquiry. |
* indicates a course that is needed for Read to Succeed Endorsement.
| Estimated Cost of Attendance per Semester (6 Credit Hours) SC Resident with SC Certified Teaching Certificate |
|
|---|---|
| Tuition Rate | $2,173.50 |
| Technology Fee | $84 |
| Security Fee | $25 |
| Matriculation Fee (one-time fee only) | $75 |
| Estimated Program Fees (per semester) | $270 |
| Total | $2,552.50 |
| Total Cost of 30 credit hour program (2 years/5 semesters) |
$12,837.50 |
| Note: The above is an estimated total Cost of Attendance based on students that are a resident of South Carolina and hold a South Carolina Certified Teacher Certificate. Tuition and fee rates listed are estimated for the academic year 2025-26 and are subject to change and final approval by the USC Board of Trustees. Estimates do not include the cost of books and supplies and other miscellaneous fees that may be assessed. The complete tuition and fee schedule is available online here. | |
Bruce Marlowe, PhD
Chair, Department of Education
Professor of Educational Psychology & Special Education
Office: 843-208-8378
Hargray 219 Bluffton, SC 29909
Tricia Stalzer
Administrative Assistant for Education and Business Administration
Office: 843-208-8230
Hargray 210 Bluffton, SC 29909
