M.Ed. Graduate Program Overview

Houghton College’s new M.Ed. program in Literacy Education provides practicing teachers with a thorough grounding in current literacy theory and effective teaching practices. Students in the program will design and conduct their own research into the effectiveness of literacy practices, gaining valuable experience in evidence-based, data-driven classroom inquiry. Teachers who complete the program can choose to remain in the general classroom, employing their enhanced expertise in literacy in that context. They may also choose to fill positions as reading specialists or staff developers, or to pursue advanced graduate study in the field.

Advanced Training in Literacy Education

In the program, teachers master current research in teaching literacy, engage in service learning opportunities, and develop researcher and inquiry skills to help them develop excellent teaching practices for their classrooms and schools. Graduates who work as general classroom teachers will excel in supporting students’ literacy development; those who take on new professional challenges as reading specialists can work more intensively with students and impact district policies.

The format and schedule of the program have been designed to accommodate practicing teachers or others who desire to pace their studies over 27 months. Students who wish to study full time can follow an accelerated schedule, completing the program in 15 months. The program’s cohort design ensures that course offerings are predictable and that each course builds on earlier learning and prepares for later classes. The curriculum ensures continuity in learning, and integration of theory, research, and practice elements.

Houghton's M.Ed degree program is structured to meet the needs of two kinds of students:

• Full-time masters students in a 15-month accelerated program
• Part-time masters students in a 27-month standard program

Why study literacy at Houghton?

Specialized knowledge in teaching reading and writing helps all teachers to better serve elementary school students because reading and writing are the keys to success at all levels of education. Houghton College’s Education Department has exceptional expertise in the area of literacy.

All courses are taught by full-time faculty members with doctoral degrees from the nation’s top graduate schools, and with experience teaching in schools at all levels. Faculty teaching in the program hold degrees from Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Central Florida, University of Rochester, University at Buffalo, SUNY Geneseo, and Harvard University.

Why a cohort model design?

This design allows cohorts to progress through the program together and makes scheduling easier and more predictable. It ensures that the content of the program is delivered in the optimal sequence – more loosely structured programs appear to give more flexibility, but that often leads to courses being taken out of sequence. Cohort models provide a more coherent educational program and an enhanced learning environment.

For more information on Graduate Studies in Education at Houghton College, call us at 800-777-2556.