Master of Arts in Education - Reading (K-12)

The online Master of Arts in Education (MAED) - Reading (K-12) degree program at North Carolina A&T State University – American’s largest HBCU – prepares current “A” licensed classroom teachers (grades K-12) to improve the literacy skills of their students. The MAED Reading program is based on standards set forth by the International Literacy Association and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The program also prepares candidates to attain a Reading Specialist certification (K-12) in North Carolina. The MAED Reading Program is 30 credit hours and is ideal for any licensed K-12 teacher, as candidates can continue to teach while enrolled in the program.

This program in the College of Education emphasizes the science of reading, knowledge of the foundations of literacy processes and instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction, as well as assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective literacy instruction. 

Program Snapshot

Why Get an MAED - Reading (K-12) degree?

With a growing number of students underperforming in their reading performance outcomes, there is a great need for teachers who are experts in improving the literacy of their students, especially underrepresented minorities. This degree will help graduates be more competitive in the job market and increase their earning potential. The program also delivers an avenue for staying up-to-date with trends and best practices, as well as providing access to a rich community of educational professionals. MAED Reading program candidates and faculty participate in a variety of literacy-related scholarship activities. They create and present their work at conferences through poster presentations and conference sessions. Additionally, they collaboratively engage in writing scholarly manuscripts. Candidates and faculty are active members in professional organizations such as the North Carolina Reading Association (NCRA) and the International Literacy Association (ILA).

Potential Careers

Graduates of the MAED Reading (K-12) program find employment in a variety of educational contexts, including:

• P-12 Classroom Teachers in Public, Charter and Private Schools 
• Reading Specialists 
• Literacy Coaches 
• Special Education Program Specialists 
• Curriculum Facilitators
• Literacy Consultants 

Job Outlook

Salary

Base salaries for reading specialists in the U.S. range from $40,000 to $76,000, with an average salary of $53,907 (Payscale, 2022). See the N.C. teacher salary schedules.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Additionally, they must:

• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher from the undergraduate degree-granting institution.
• Complete a Graduate College application, including official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended, three letters of reference submitted online and application fee.
• Hold a North Carolina “A” Level Teaching License. 
• Provide a Statement of Purpose.

Find out more about graduate admissions and APPLY TODAY.

Application Deadlines 

Program Requirements

Explore the curriculum guide.

Funding Your Education

North Carolina A&T has established a number of financial support opportunities for outstanding graduate students in order to enhance research and graduate education. These include fellowships, scholarships, assistantships and out-of-state tuition supplements.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

North Carolina A&T State University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Participation in NC-SARA allows the University to provide distance learning programs and coursework to residents of states and territories outside North Carolina. However, NC-SARA does not grant automatic reciprocity with other states or exempt N.C. A&T from the professional licensing requirements required by other states or territories.

If you reside outside of North Carolina and are interested in completing an online or distance-education program with North Carolina A&T State University that leads to a professional license or certification in your home state, it is imperative that you understand the regulations and requirements for your home state PRIOR to enrolling in any academic program.

N.C. A&T’s Teacher Education programs meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in North Carolina and are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). The University is in the process of determining the licensure requirements for its professional licensure programs but a determination has not been made whether N.C. A&T’s Teacher Education programs meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification for the following states and territories:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

For more information, contact the licensing board in your state of residence or the NC-SARA Teacher Education Directory for information about licensing in your state.

Mailing Address

The University's mailing address is:

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University 
1601 East Market St.
Greensboro, NC 27411

Learn more about professional licensure.

Contact Information

For program-related questions:

Nichole Smith, Ed.D.
Program Coordinator
Department of Educator Preparation
College of Education
Email
336-285-4423 

For assistance with the admissions process:

The Graduate College 
Email
336-285-2366 

For online learning support and inquiries:

Extended Campus
Email
336-334-7810 or 888-498-6752 (Toll-Free)