Inquiry-based master's program for educators and reading specialists committed to educational change and social justice.
The Reading/Writing/Literacy master's is an interdisciplinary program focused on the study of literacy and language from sociopolitical, cultural, psychological, historical, and linguistic perspectives.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
The master’s degree program in Reading/Writing/Literacy can be completed in just one year. Students can tailor the program to their area of interest, through selecting electives from our courses, from other Penn GSE programs, and from across the University of Pennsylvania. During fieldwork and research, students have the opportunity to work with learners from diverse age groups and cultures, building their expertise as researchers and practitioners.
Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 courses; Summer: 2 courses
Research apprenticeshipInternship
Culminating experienceAcademic portfolio
Duration of program12 months full-time; 2 years part-time
Transfer courses accepted1 course
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
The M.S.Ed. in Reading/Writing/Literacy program is a one-year master’s degree program that prepares our students as practitioners, researchers, and policy makers. Four principles guide the program:
- The program is interdisciplinary because literacy, language, and culture interact in rich and complex ways. Literacy and language are studied from sociopolitical, cultural, psychological, historical, linguistic, and literary perspectives.
- The program is inquiry-based, intended to raise questions about the relationships among theory, research, policy, and practice while encouraging students to build their own theories of research and practice.
- The program focuses on diversity, urban settings, and the contexts of different schools, communities, families, and cultures.
- The program is committed to educational change and recognizes that educational institutions are sites in which to work for social justice, equity, and transformation.
Certificate/Licensure offeredReading Specialist certification (PA) available
Dual degree optionsMaster of Social Work (MSW)
Curriculum
The master’s in Reading/Writing/Literacy program includes 10 courses: four required courses as well as six electives. One of the program’s highlights is the flexibility in choosing electives. Students can take electives from our program, electives from other programs at Penn GSE, or even courses offered elsewhere at the University. The culminating experience is the presentation of the student’s academic portfolio.
The Reading/Writing/Literacy master’s program with Reading Specialist certification requires 10 courses: eight required courses and two electives. An eleventh course is required for students without a teaching certification or one year of teaching. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for Pennsylvania Reading Specialist certification after the completion of coursework.
For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Reading/Writing/Literacy M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
Internships and Research
The internship in the Reading/Writing/Literacy master’s program gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom. Through internships in settings such as the Weingarten Learning Resources Center; public, charter, and independent schools; community colleges; and community and social service agencies, students will work with learners across generations and cultures.
During their internships, students work with our faculty in research associated with some of the most distinguished research centers and professional development projects in the country: the Philadelphia Writing Project, the Penn Literacy Network, the National Center on Fathers and Families, the National Center on Adult Literacy, Penn’s Early Childhood and Family Studies Institute, and the International Literacy Institute.
Other Options: Certification, Dual Degree, and Submatriculation
Reading Specialist Certification
The Reading Specialist certification can be part of the master’s program, or students can enroll in it as a stand-alone program. Read more about the stand-alone Reading/Writing/Literacy certificate in the University Catalog.
Dual Degree
Students enrolled in the master’s program have the option of pursuing a dual degree in Reading/Writing/Literacy (M.S.Ed.) and Social Work (M.S.W.) with Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice. Interested students should consult with their academic advisor. Learn more about Dual and Joint Degrees at Penn GSE.
Submatriculation
The submatriculation program is an exclusive offer for juniors or seniors at the University of Pennsylvania to explore graduate education and apply up to two specific courses to both degrees, at no additional cost while they are full-time undergrads.
Our Faculty
Our faculty are renowned scholars who are committed to the study of literacy and language, to educational change, and to educational institutions as agents for social justice, equity, and transformation.
Affiliated Faculty
In addition to Penn GSE faculty, our program draws on scholars from across the University of Pennsylvania as members of its affiliated faculty.
Myrna Cohen Adrianne Flack Adelyn Heidi Gross Jessica Whitelaw
Adjunct Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania
Lecturer, Penn GSE
Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Our Graduates
The M.S.Ed. program in Reading/Writing/Literacy prepares students as practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in educational settings that include K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community-based literacy programs, educational publishing, and government programs.
Alumni Careers
- Basic Skills Teacher, Plumsted Township School District
- Doctoral student, English Education, Teacher’s College, Columbia University
- English Teacher, Olney Charter High School
- Fourth Grade Teacher, Council Rock School District
- Language Arts Teacher, Ocean City School District
- Reading Specialist, Cristo Ray Network of Schools
- Reading Specialist, Southeast Delco School District
- Seventh Grade Teacher, Khepera Charter School
- STEM Teacher, LEAP Academy University STEM Charter School
- Student Supports Teacher, Nashville Academy of Computer Sciences
- Editor, Chinese News
- Third Grade Teacher, Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School
Admissions & Financial Aid
Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements, as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.
Contact us if you have any questions about the program.
Financial Aid
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6415
admissions@gse.upenn.edu
finaid@gse.upenn.edu
Tamika Easley
Program Manager
(215) 898-3245
teasley@upenn.edu
Paula Rogers
Program Assistant
(215) 898-5023
progers@upenn.edu
Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.
Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
Related News & Research
The Penn Literacy Network (PLN) is a comprehensive professional development/curricular enhancement/school reform program, providing on-site and regionally-based credit-bearing or non-credit bearing courses, workshops, coaching programs, and leadership trainings.
The Collaboratory for Teacher Education at Penn GSE is a laboratory for the design, implementation, and study of experimental approaches to teacher education.
The National Center for Adult Literacy (NCAL) focuses on research, innovation, and training in adult education and technology. The International Literacy Institute (ILI), established by UNESCO and Penn in 1994, provides leadership in research, development, and training in the broad field of international literacy and...