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 master's program to the University's regional centers in Northern Virginia, Richmond and selected cohorts in other regions. Through the off-Grounds programs, 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 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 Off-Grounds program allows students to earn an M.Ed. degree without being located in Charlottesville. Program completers are eligible for endorsement as reading specialists.
The off-Grounds program will be offered in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and Richmond 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 M.Ed. programs. These include transcripts, two recommendations from faculty and/or employers, a goal statement, and official GRE scores that meet Curry criteria for admission (see a comparison of old vs new GRE scoring below). International students must also submit official TOEFL scores. Recommendations must be solicited through the online application. Official transcripts also be submitted. Follow the guidelines on the application website.
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
Requirements include 36 credits, 30 of which are prescribed by the state for the K-12 reading specialist endorsement. Twenty-four (24) hours are in the reading area, 9 hours are in cognate areas, and 3 hours are clinical practice or elective. Students must also pass a comprehensive exam or the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA).
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 the unofficial transcript. Once that wording appears, please email Assistant Dean Joanne McNergney (jmh8j@virginia.edu), providing: (1) last 4 digits of your SSN, (2) birthdate, (3) name as it should appear on the license, and a current address. The form will be completed and mailed to your home address, so that payment can be forwarded and an official transcript sent to the VA Dept. of Education. An official transcript is available through the Office of the Registrar.
Funding Opportunities
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; courses applying to the degree may be no older than 5 years at graduation.
Semester of Entry:
Students may enter during fall, spring or summer semesters.
Full or Part Time:
Part time
Course Overview
The Masters degree in reading is a 36-hour program, 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 state's K-12 reading specialist endorsement to be added to his/her teaching license.
Reading Core (24 hours)
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EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction
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EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas
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EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language Structures and Phonics
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EDIS 5730 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 1
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EDIS 5740 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 2
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EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis
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EDIS 7740 Remedial Practicum
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EDIS 7751 Literacy, Leadership and Coaching OR EDIS 7750 Effective Reading Programs
Cognates (9 hours)
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EDIS 7310 Children’s Literature; or EDIS 5410 Adolescent Literature
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EDLF 7200 Child Growth and Development; or EDLF 7160 Human Growth and Development
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EDIS 5430 Teaching Composition; EDIS 5500 Teaching Writing K-6; EDIS 5500 Writing Across the Curriculum
Elective (3 hours) One elective course may be chosen from a related education area with your advisor’s approval.
Sample Jobs After Graduation
Classroom teaching, reading specialist, Title I, interventionist, and coaching positions. Many graduates become supervisors in districts’ central offices.
Contacts
