Begin the Next Chapter of Your Teaching Career

Earn your specialization in literacy and teach the next generation of readers.

Bethel University’s online Master of Education features three unique cognates (specialized areas of study designed for accelerated learning) for licensed teachers wishing to advance their careers. The online M.Ed. in Literacy is designed to help you assess student abilities in reading and writing, and use instructional strategies to enhance student learning in the language arts.

At Bethel, we offer a curriculum specifically designed to help you become a leader in your area of interest. The program teaches core skills necessary for your specialization, such as assessment and intervention, literature for children and adolescents, curriculum development, meeting the needs of diverse learners, and more.

Our seasoned faculty are dedicated to providing you with academic rigor and mentorship. With years of experience, they bring to the program both expertise and personal support, allowing you to successfully grow as an educator and person.

The fully online format of our master’s in literacy program allows you to fit your education around your needs as a working adult. Digital learning means you’ll study at times that are convenient for your schedule. Because we offer seven-week courses and six start dates per year, you also have the ability to begin, pause, or accelerate your degree at any time. The program can be successfully completed in as little as one year.

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Accreditation

Bethel University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. The Education Department is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Related Programs

Obtaining a License in Another State

The State of Indiana has a compact agreement with most states. That means that if you hold a valid Indiana license, it should be relatively easy to obtain a license in most states. It is important to obtain your Indiana license first. Other states may have different requirements than Indiana regarding coursework, testing or GPA.

To obtain information for out-of-state licensing, please contact the Department of Education within the state you are seeking licensure. Please visit the United States Department of Education website and select the particular state of interest for license requirements and application procedures.

For current information regarding out-of-state licensing, please visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) website.

Have questions? Please contact the Bethel University Education Department, Licensing Advisor.

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Request more information about this program and gain access to our knowledgeable enrollment team.
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Program Details

Next Start Date: 10/20/2024
Credit Hours: 36
Cost/Credit: 480
Transfer Credits: Up to 9*
Est. Completion Time: 1-2 Years
Accreditation: NCATE/CAEP

Course Requirements

Bethel’s online M.Ed. in Literacy features a unique curriculum designed to help you become an expert in your field. This program requires a total of 36 credit hours. Students must complete 18 credits in required education courses, 12 credits in literacy courses and six credit hours in elective courses.

  • ▸ Required Education Courses (18 credit hours)

    • EDUC 500: Introduction to Professional Development & Leadership (1)
    • EDUC 521: Curriculum Development & School Improvement (3)
    • EDUC 531: Effective Instruction & Assessment (3)
    • EDUC 535: Mentoring & Supervision of Instruction (3)
    • EDUC 541: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners (3)
    • EDUC 555: Educational Research (3)
    • EDUC 690: Professional Development & Leadership (Capstone) (2)

  • ▸ Cognate Area: Literacy (12 credit hours)

    • EDLT 501: Folklore, Children’s & Adolescent Literature (4)
    • EDLT 521: English Language Learning (4)
    • EDLT 631: Writing Process (4)
    • EDLT 641: Reading & Writing Difficulties: Assessment & Intervention (4)

    *Students must choose an additional 6 credit hours in elective courses.

  • ▸ Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

    Electives

Program consists of:

13

Total Courses
Earn your degree faster by transferring credits.
View Transfer Policy

Admission Requirements

Candidates for Bethel’s online M.Ed. in reading and literacy will need to submit the following:
  • Online graduate application
  • Regionally accredited transcripts with GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • A 300-word (or more) autobiography, including information about the candidate’s recent work in education, reason for seeking entry into the program, and significant events in his or her career. Candidates should define their character in terms of basic values, commitment to graduate studies, their philosophy, and their worldview.
  • An updated resumé
  • Two letters of recommendation. Forms are sent electronically for candidates to share.
  • A current, valid teaching license.**

Candidates must also schedule an interview prior to admission.

** If a candidate’s license is expired, he or she may renew during the course of study.

Tuition and Fees

Bethel has long been touted for its value. We were ranked No. 2 on Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck-Midwest list, listed as one of the 50 Best Value Christian Colleges, and have made it to the top tier of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Regional Universities-Midwest” list for fifteen consecutive years.

*Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. Depending on transfer credits, the number of semesters required for completion will affect total cost.

*Transferring any graduate-level credits must be petitioned with the department for approval.

Cost of Attendance Calculator

Payment Plan

Bethel University has a monthly installment plan available through Nelnet Campus Commerce. Enrollment can be completed online by accessing the student billing link through MyBethel or by calling 800.609.8056. Students will be charged an enrollment fee of $40.

Total cost with max. transfer credits:

$12,260

View Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid

Bethel University is committed to ensuring that all our students receive an affordable education.
We offer financial aid based on need, and military benefits and are proud to offer extraordinarily competitive tuition rates.
FAFSA Information
To learn more about your financial aid options or submit a FAFSA, please see our Financial Aid page.
View Financial Aid

Transfer Credits

Bethel is committed to helping you make the most of your previous educational experiences. Visit our Transfer Credits page to learn more.
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Career Outcomes

A degree in literacy can help secure a number of rewarding positions in your specialty. Below are just a few. Career information taken from Payscale.com.

  • ▸ Reading Specialist

    Reading specialists help elementary and middle school students develop reading skills. Working in either one or several schools, they may be responsible for collaborating with teachers to create lessons, researching literacy needs, diagnosing issues such as dyslexia, mentoring other reading coaches, and a variety of other tasks. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $50,464.

  • ▸ Adult Literacy Instructor

    Adult literacy instructors work in remedial education, helping adults and adolescents who are not enrolled in school to improve their literacy skills. They are often responsible for preparing students for the GED test, evaluating student progress and helping facilitate improvement, maintaining student records, and a host of other duties. These individuals earn a median annual salary of $40,840.

  • ▸ Curriculum Developer

    Curriculum developers are responsible for creating academic material and developing instructional programs. Sometimes working in an expertise area (such as literacy), these individuals are responsible for creating syllabi and course content, identifying educational and technical needs of students, testing new educational materials, and a host of other tasks. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $59,742.

Benefits of Learning Online

An online degree can open doors to your career while allowing you to study in a convenient, affordable format.
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Request Information

Learn more about this program and other online academic opportunities at Bethel. Once you complete this form, here’s what you can expect from us:
  • A friendly phone call. We’ll contact you within 24 hours, ready to answer all of your questions.
  • Personalized treatment. You’ll get immediate access to your own dedicated and knowledgeable enrollment counselor. They’ll ask you more about your goals at Bethel, and walk you through everything you need to know to apply.

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