The program prepares certified teachers to meet standards established by the International Literacy Association to become reading specialists, literacy coaches, or reading administrators. After graduation, students who pass the state-issued exam and have at least two years of teaching experience can qualify for the professional reading specialist certificate.<br><br>Most students enter the program to pursue a master of education (M.Ed.) in reading education while preparing to pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) to receive a reading specialist certificate. The program requires 30 credit hours of course work in reading, including courses in language and literacy development, reading theory and research, teaching literacy from early childhood through grade 16, teaching with literature for children/young adults, teaching reading and writing in a multilingual/multicultural environment and literacy assessment. The program also requires a two-course internship to complete a research and professional development project, as well as a six-hour cognate that is designed in consultation with program advisors.<br><br>The reading education program takes its mission statement of ''a community of equity-minded literacy professionals'' seriously, as evidenced by faculty's research interests and work with master's students, in and out of the classroom. Students can expect a rigorous, research-based learning experience in multiple areas of language and literacy development. Course work deepens teachers' understanding of theory, research, assessment, and practice within culturally and linguistically diverse settings. Faculty regularly present at conferences and publish with students engaged in classroom research. The program's goal is to strengthen the pedagogical practice of our students and to actively serve the Pre-K-12 students of Texas and beyond.