M.Ed. in Reading Specialist (Endorsement)
Be Equipped to Excel Through the M.Ed. – Reading Specialist Endorsement
The gift of reading opens up possibilities not yet imagined. You can help unlock the potential in each student through Regent’s CAEP-accredited Master of Education in Reading Specialist (with endorsement) program. Designed to meet the growing demand for trained reading specialists, you can enjoy competency-based courses that fulfill the requirements for a Virginia Reading Specialist endorsement as you earn your master’s degree.
EXPAND YOUR INFLUENCE & PURPOSE
Change the lives of children and give them a brighter future.
WIDEN YOUR JOB PROSPECTS THROUGH A READING SPECIALIST ENDORSEMENT
Enjoy rewarding opportunities in schools and communities.
GAIN THE CREDENTIALS NEEDED
Endorsement enables you to do more and have a greater impact.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE
Experience Regent ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Its programs have also been recognized among the top 10 online graduate education programs in Virginia for 11 consecutive years. Regent graduates are empowered to make a difference in lives, which has led to 900+ alumni being recognized as Teachers of the Year in Hampton Roads since 2004.
Presented from a Christian worldview, the M.Ed. – Reading Specialist (Endorsement) is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
The School of Education’s educational leadership and teacher preparation programs and the College of Arts and Science’s bachelor’s in education programs are awarded full national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, to 12/31/2030.
On completing the M.Ed. – Reading Specialist (endorsement) program, you can:
- Develop reading instruction using technology and data-driven assessment tools.
- Create a supportive learning environment that fosters improved reading skills.
- Apply all of the Virginia Department of Education competencies and the skills required for state licensure.
Career Opportunities
- Virginia Reading Specialist
- Reading Consultation
- Reading Tutoring
| EDU 600 | Graduate Foundations for Education | 2 | Provides the knowledge, resources, and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy, and advising and support services for Education. |
| ETSP 598 | Professional Project | 1 | Before the awarding of a degree, successfully complete a culminating experience. The professional project will consist of providing evidence, in the form of a portfolio, that critical program competencies have been met. |
| ETSP 553 | Language Acquisition & the Communicative Arts | 3 | Prepares participants to develop students’ communicative competence through a focus of the language modes: listening, speaking, and writing. The course content addresses language development, language theories, and best practices of assessing and teaching language. Particular attention will be given to language difficulties of students with mild disabilities, and/or language deficit, and/or second language acquisition. |
| ETSP 554 | Assessing & Teaching Reading of Narrative & Expository Texts | 3 | Prepares participants to assess reading skills and to teach reading to students with mild disabilities and/or language deficit and/or second language acquisition. The course will specifically address reading processes, approaches, and stages, early intervention practices, corrective reading, diagnosis and remediation of reading problems, and assessment and instruction of reading in the content areas. Investigate and analyze record reviews and interviews; design, administer, and interpret tests; write reports; and design, implement, and critique instruction. The focus will be on the application and generalization of knowledge to realistic classroom situations. |
| ETSP 555 | Collaboration & Consultation | 3 | Participants will acquire the necessary knowledge base and skills to collaborate and/or consult with other professionals, students, and parents. Particular attention will be given to teaming, collaborative consultation, and co-teaching. |
| ETSP 570 | Instructional Methods for Students with Disabilities | 3 | Learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and intellectual disabilities investigated from theoretical, philosophical, medical, and legal perspectives. Emphasis on instructional methods for students with learning and behavioral concerns including Attention Deficit Disorder. The impact of learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and intellectual disabilities across the life span with emphasis on curriculum, instructional strategies, and transition issues will be studied. Interpretation of assessment and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are included. |
| ETSP 572 | Characteristics & Behavior Management of Students with Exceptional Needs | 3 | In-depth overview of identification, assessment, program options, intervention and behavioral management solutions for learners with exceptional needs. Identifies appropriate behavioral interventions and social skill teaching strategies through case studies, simulations, and role-playing. Emphasizes modifying strategies based on learning style and cultural considerations. |
| ETSP 573 | Assessing & Teaching Reading & Math Across Content for Students with Exceptional Needs | 3 | Reading and Math standards and curriculum methods for diagnosis, remediation, instructional design, and curriculum adaptation will be examined. Students will identify reading and math difficulties; conduct record reviews and interviews; administer and interpret formal and informal tests; write reports; and design, implement and critique instruction. |
| ETSP 574 | K-12 Reading Assessment & Instruction Across Content Areas | 3 | Advancing literacy (reading and writing skills) across subjects and grade levels. Techniques that support independent reading, writing, and learning and organization, summarizing, note-taking, reading/writing strategies and techniques, and reflective thought in content courses will be covered. |
| ETSP 576 | Data Driven Assessment | 3 | The study of achievement assessment, IQ test, validity and reliability, constructs, construction of authentic assessment and scoring, norm referenced v. criterion referenced, determination of biased assessments and factors that may influence assessment such as cultural, behavioral, and learning diversity. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of commonly used individual and group instruments, including norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, and curriculum-based measures and task analysis, observation, portfolio, and environmental assessments; and synthesis and interpretation of assessment findings for eligibility, program planning, and program evaluation decisions will be addressed. |
| ETSP 584 | Reading Service Delivery: Supervision & Current Trends | 3 | Examines current trends as well as methods and service delivery options. Demonstrate the ability to instruct and advise teachers in the skills necessary to differentiate reading instruction for both low- and high-achieving readers, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the needs of high achieving students and of strategies to challenge them at appropriate levels. Addresses the reading supervisor’s roles and responsibilities. Do field observations and interviews, literature reviews, case studies and interactive journaling. Prerequisite: all coursework leading up to the reading internship. |
| ETSP 585 | Reading Research, Curriculum & Technology | 3 | Examine major research in the field of reading and review and investigate the use of technology in teaching and assessing reading, writing with associate skills of spelling and grammar, and research skills. Demonstrate the ability to guide students in their use of technology for both process and product as they work with reading writing and research. Examine and demonstrate an ability to teach reading and spelling curricula. Curricular materials and methods will include a children’s literature component in which you will demonstrate the ability to foster appreciation for a variety of literature and understand the importance of promoting independent reading and reading reflectively by selecting quality literature, including fiction and nonfiction, at appropriate levels. Prerequisite: all coursework leading up to the reading internship. |
| ETSP 596 | Reading Specialist Internship | 1 | A university supervised field-based experience with guidance from a mentor teacher. Instruction/implementation of the full range of professional responsibilities of a reading specialist. Seminar requirement during course. Prerequisite: All program coursework. |
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session M | Friday, September 6 | Monday, September 16 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session T | Friday, January 31 | Monday, February 10 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 6 | $3,390 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 3 | $2,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $565 | 9 | $5,085 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $800 | 9 | $7,200 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $800 | 6 | $4,800 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Background Checks
The School of Education requires a background check for all students who participate in Field Experience that includes direct contact with students. Regent University School of Education has entered into an agreement with Castle Branch, a private vendor that conducts background checks for many universities and educational institutions. After you are admitted into the program, you will be provided instructions to set up an online profile with Castle Branch.
Internship Information
Regent University requires an internship for the Reading Specialist Licensure program:
ETSP 596 provides the opportunity to shadow a Reading Specialist in order to learn all facets of the Reading Specialist role.
Review the graduation assessments for this program here.
Deadlines to submit internship applications:
- October 1st for Spring internships
- March 1st for Fall internships
For additional information, you may contact:
Romeo Villanueva Jr.
Field Placement Coordinator
757.352.4205
rvillanueva@regent.edu
Rachel Copeland
Internship Coordinator
Certification/Licensure Official
757.352.4663
rachcop@regent.edu