Master of Education in Reading - Online Only

• The M.Ed. in Reading Program accepts application for fall, spring, and summer admission.
• Applications and application materials must be submitted and received by the following deadlines:
  • • Fall - August 15
    • Spring - December 20
    • Summer - April 15
• The total credit hours for the program are 36 CREDIT HOURS (12 courses).
• Students will be eligible to earn a TEA Reading Specialist Certification and either a UT Tyler Literacy Coaching Certificate or a Dyslexia Diagnosis and Intervention Certificate after they successfully complete the 36 credit hours, successfully defend their program portfolio, and pass the TEA Reading Specialist certification exam.

Master's Degree in Reading with a Reading Specialist Certification and UT Tyler Literacy Coaching Certificate (36 Credit Hours). Must complete requirements within six calendar years.

Master's Degree in Reading with a Reading Specialist Certification and UT Tyler Dyslexia Diagnosis and Intervention Certificate (36 Credit Hours).

Must complete requirements within six calendar years.

This program follows the standard tuition and fees as published by the university and the total program cost will be approximately $18,882*.

*Approximation based on 2025-2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule – prices are subject to change.

Option 1 - Texas Residents Only

To be considered for admission to the Master of Education in Reading, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Possess a valid Texas teacher certification in any field.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in either the overall undergraduate degree or the last 60 hours of coursework.
• Submit official GRE scores (taken within the past five years), unless eligible for a waiver.  The GRE requirement is waived if any of the following conditions are met:
  • • A GPA of 2.75 or higher in either the last 60 hours of coursework or overall undergraduate degree.
    • A graduate degree GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• If the GRE is required, minimum scores are:
  • • Verbal: 143 or higher
    • Quantitative: 140 or higher
    • Writing: 3.0 or higher
• Complete the application submission process (detailed below).

Option 2 - Texas Non-Residents & International Students Only

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Possess a valid teacher certification in any field.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in either the overall undergraduate degree or the last 60 hours of coursework.
• Submit official GRE scores (taken within the past five years), unless eligible for a waiver.  The GRE requirement is waived if any of the following conditions are met:
  • • A GPA of 2.75 or higher in either the last 60 hours of coursework or overall undergraduate degree.
    • A graduate degree GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• If the GRE is required, minimum scores are:
  • • Verbal: 143 or higher
    • Quantitative: 140 or higher
    • Writing: 3.0 or higher
• International applicants from countries where English is not an official language must submit TOEFL iBT that meet the Texas Education Agency standards (19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C)):
  • • Speaking 20-24
    • Listening 17-21
    • Reading 18-23
    • Writing 17-23
       
• Complete the application submission process (detailed below).

Step 1: Submit Graduate Application and Transcripts

• Complete the graduate program application.
• Request official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions.  Transcripts should be sent to:

By Email: GradAdmissions@uttyler.edu

By Mail:

The Office of Graduate Admissions, HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd
Tyler Texas 75799

Step 2: Upload Required Documents

Once you receive your student ID, submit the following through the application portal: 

• GRE scores, unless waived by meeting GPA requirements listed above.
• A copy of your teacher certification
• A copy of your complete teaching service record from all school districts where you have worked (available from HR departments).
• A Goal Statement and a Philosophy of Literacy Statement at the provided link.

Goal Statement: Write a one-page, single spaced biographical statement that includes your teaching experience, your professional goals, and your reasons for pursuing this M.Ed. in Reading degree.

Initial Philosophy of Literacy Statement: Write a one-page, single spaced statement that captures your thoughts, views, and ideas about literacy and its teaching.

Step 3: Complete the Admission Interview

• Within a week of receipt of all admission documents, you will receive an email about scheduling an admission interview.  

Note: Students admitted to The Graduate School must pay a $250 admission fee to the School of Education Educator Preparation Program. This fee helps cover practicum 

As required by Texas HB1508, applicants need to be aware of the following.

In order to receive a reading specialist certification, you must pass a criminal history background check.

If you have been convicted of an offense that is considered not appropriate for a reading specialist, you could be ineligible to earn this certification from the state of Texas.
You have a right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency.

The Texas Education Agency currently charges a $50 fee for this criminal history evaluation.
For more information, see Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.

In compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and in accordance with the policies of the UT Tyler Graduate School, transfer of graduate credit from an accredited institution is limited to six (6) hours for the master’s degree. All transfer credit must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better, completed within the last five years, and approved by the degree-granting program. Transfer credits should be evaluated and approved during the first semester. The course being transferred into a degree program should be a direct equivalent to the course within the certification/degree program. Students who have extended work experiences that cover the content of a course should work with their advisor and Director of the School to determine if those work experiences cover course content. Students should work with their advisor to have courses evaluated for transfer.

Join a team of highly qualified, caring and dedicated literacy faculty. Together, they have the expertise, experience and disposition to work with you and to support your diverse backgrounds, experiences and disciplines.

• Dr. Kouider Mokhtari, (Interdisciplinary Ph.D., Ohio University, 1987), Anderson-Vukelja-Wright Endowed Chair, Literacy Education
• Dr. Joanna Neel, (Ed.D., Texas A & M- Commerce, 2006), Associate Professor, Literacy Education
• Dr. Gina Doepker, (Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2007), Professor of Literacy Education

Learn to take on and solve important literacy challenges in your schools and communities. Put knowledge into action.

Did you know?: "At grades 4 and 8, students whose teachers hold master's degrees have scored higher than their peers whose teachers hold bachelor's degrees in every assessment since 2005." (Institute of Education Sciences, 2005-2011)

Career tracks for completing the graduate reading program include reading specialists, literacy coaches, instructional support teachers and intervention specialists.

Instructional leaders, a career that encompasses reading specialists and literacy coaches, are expected to experience career growth during the decade ending in 2018. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career growth is anticipated to be 23%, which is far higher than expected for other occupations.

Apply for one or more financial assistance options, including Teachers in Excellence Scholarships ($200 first graduate semester), graduate assistantships, and Stafford loans.

For Program Information:

Dr. Gina Doepker, Program Coordinator
903.566.6206
gdoepker@uttyler.edu

For Admission Information:

903.566.7361
SOEgraduate@uttyler.edu

• Birdie Christie (Summer 2026 Graduate): The Master of Education in Reading program at UT Tyler has had a transformative impact on my practice as a literacy professional. Through the rigorous coursework and research-based instruction, I have deepened my understanding of literacy development and gained practical strategies that have strengthened my ability to support diverse learners. My advice to new participants is to take advantage of every opportunity to connect with your classmates, even in the online environment. The relationships you build can provide encouragement, collaboration, and a valuable professional network that extends well beyond the program itself.
• Nadya Long (Summer 2026 Graduate): The UT Tyler Master of Education in Reading program helped broaden my understanding of literacy development beyond the elementary grades where I work. It gave me a better understanding of the literacy skills students need as they move into middle school, high school, and beyond. The program also provided me with a variety of new strategies for increasing student engagement and helping students interact with text more deeply. Overall, I feel prepared to plan and deliver intentional, evidence-based intervention that meets the diverse needs of my students. Find a community within your cohort. Exchange phone numbers, stay connected, and support one another throughout the journey. The coursework can be challenging, but having a group of friends to ask questions and encourage each other makes a tremendous difference.
• Brittany Baker (Spring 2026 Graduate): At UT Tyler, the learning is hands-on and engaging.  I have acquired so many new skillsets which will exponentially grow my future career as a literacy professional like administering and interpreting norm-references assessments, planning and implementing lesson cycles, and thoroughly learning the dyslexia laws.  I truly felt like I was part of the UT Tyler community, and I am always proud when I say this is my university. If I could give one piece of advice to make your time in the program more successful and less stressful, I would recommend staying on top of the tasks that are cumulative throughout the program like the Wix portfolio and the time logs.  Also, communication with the professors is key to making sure you stay locked in with expectations, so you are prepared and ready for deadlines.  Finally, keep in touch with your classmates.  These relationships make the university experience personal and meaningful.
• Jennifer Campbell (Spring 2026 Graduate): The M.Ed. in Reading program at UT Tyler has been an impactful journey that changed the course of my professional life. Although I entered the program with significant prior experience in literacy, I have learned so much and now feel empowered to apply for positions, such as literacy coaching, that I never would have considered before. I see such a joyful future ahead in education thanks to the growth I experienced here. For incoming students, my advice is: The Master of Education in Reading can be demanding, but the stress is temporary and reflects how much you’re growing. In the end, the knowledge and skills you gain will allow you to make a lasting impact on your students, which makes the effort worth it.
• Shelby Lloyd (Spring 2026 Graduate): This program has really changed how I approach literacy instruction by helping me look deeper at student data and understand what each learner actually needs. I’ve become more intentional with my teaching, especially when it comes to phonics, assessment, and small group instruction. It’s made me more confident in identifying reading difficulties and knowing how to respond in a way that truly supports students. One piece of advice I’d give to incoming students is to stay organized and don’t fall behind, it goes fast. Also, try to connect what you’re learning directly to your classroom as much as possible, because that’s where it really starts to make sense. Even though the program is online, make an effort to connect with your classmates, building those relationships and getting involved with others really helps you stay motivated and supported.
• Stephanie Sherer (Spring 2026 Graduate): The program has transformed my understanding of literacy, showing me that it is not only a foundation for learning but a powerful way for students to find their voice, build connections, and make sense of the world around them. It has strengthened my educational practice by grounding my instruction in research-based strategies and helping me become more intentional and responsive to the diverse needs of my students. I now use literacy as a tool to foster empathy, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement. My advice to incoming students is to stay open to growth, embrace new learning, and actively apply everything you learn to your own classroom. This will bring the greatest impact and change everything for you and your students. 
• Watch additional student testimonials.