Curry School of Education

Off-Grounds Ed.S. in Reading Education

The Curry School of Education’s off-Grounds reading program began in the early 1980s as TEMPO (Teaching Educators McGuffey Practica Off-Grounds); since then, it has brought graduate level professional development courses to teachers and school districts across the Commonwealth. In addition, it brings the education specialist degree to the University's regional centers in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads. Through off-Grounds delivery, teachers in our state are able to take the same reading courses and earn the same graduate credit as they could if they lived in driving distance of Charlottesville, the program’s home site.

The reading program has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985, using satellites to transmit live and interactive classes to distant sites. Today, the technology has changed to much easier-to-use two-way desktop audio and visual digital transmissions using the University's growing technology resources.

All courses in the state are taught with demonstrations of teachers using activities being studied. Libraries of readings are available to students through electronic reserves; all courses have home web pages. We have offered online graduate courses for over ten years.

The Ed.S. degree program will be offered in the University of Virginia's Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond Centers for those planning to begin their studies in 2012.

This program is currently offered in partnership with the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) but will be transitioned fully to the Curry School on July 1, 2012. Click here for more information about the SCPS-Curry transition.

Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet general requirements for admission to Ed.S. degree. These include possessing an M.Ed degree in an area relevant to education, submitting an electronic application which includes transcripts, two recommendations from faculty and/or employers, and a goal statement. Applicants must also provide official GRE scores that meet Curry criteria for admission (see below). International students are required to submit official TOEFL scores in addition to GREs.

Competitive GRE scores for degree seekers are listed below for the old vs. new exam. A goals statement will stand as a writing example.

EdS applicants—Verbal GRE: at or above 450 (old scoring)/150 (new scoring); Quantitative GRE: 530 (old scoring)/145 (new scoring); 4.0 (analytical writing).

If your scores do not meet criteria, we recommend you retake GREs before submitting your application. We will use your highest scores when making admission decisions.

Application Due Date

October 15 (spring entry), March 15 (summer entry), June 1 (fall entry)

Degree Requirements

The Education Specialist in Reading is a 30-hour post-Master’s degree program. Courses outlined for completion of this degree comprise the reading specialist endorsement courses that are approved by the state of Virginia. Upon completion of the program and after three years of successful teaching during which time the teaching of reading is a major responsibility, a graduate can apply for the Reading Specialist endorsement to be added to his/her teaching license. This process can begin as soon as the words "degree conferred" appear on your unofficial transcript. Once you see that wording, email Joanne McNergney (jmh8j@virginia.edu), providing: (1) last 4 digits of your SSN, (2) birthdate, (3) your name as it should appear on your license, and your current address. The form will be completed and mailed to your home address, so you can forward payment and an official transcript to the VA Dept. of Education. An official transcript is available through the University Registrar.

Funding Opportunities

Students may apply for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Services.

Typical Length of Study

Most students take at least one course during fall and spring semesters and two courses during summer sessions, completing requirements in about three years. Students have five years to complete all requirements; all coursework must be no older than 5 years at graduation.

Semester of Entry:

fall, spring or summer

Full or Part Time:

part time

Course Overview

The Education Specialist degree in reading is a planned 30-credit (minimum) terminal post-Master’s degree program in which candidates are expected to attain an understanding of major issues in professional education, definitive knowledge of the field of reading, and the ability to integrate and apply what they have learned in an educational context.

Reading Core (24 hours)

EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction
EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas
EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language Structures and Phonics
EDIS 5730 Reading Diagnosis
EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis
EDIS 5740 Remedial Techniques
EDIS 7740 Remedial Practicum
EDIS 7751 Literacy Leadership and Coaching OR EDIS 7750 Effective Reading Programs

Cognates (6 hours)

EDIS 7310 Children’s Literature; or
EDIS 5410 Young Adult Literature

EDLF 7200 Child Development; or
EDLF 7210 Adolescent Development

Electives may be taken as needed for degree completion, with advisor approval.

Sample Jobs After Graduation

Classroom teaching, reading specialist, Title I, interventionist, and coaching positions. Many graduates become supervisors in districts’ central offices.

Contacts

State Coordinator: Associate State Coordinator:
Mary Abouzeid Ottilie Austin
ma5y@virginia.edu aof2b@virginia.edu
335 Bavaro 335 Bavaro
434-924-0750 434-924-6338

Northern Virginia Center: Richmond Center: Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach Center:
Carrie Simkin Julie Gray Susan Thacker-Gwaltney
crn3t@virginia.edu jjj7e@virginia.edu sft2s@virginia.edu
703-536-1116 804-662-7464 757-552-1890

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