UND to offer online master’s degree in reading education

Kortnie Evanson

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

3-12-2014

Campus Unit

College of Education & Human Development

Abstract

The University of North Dakota will offer an online Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Reading Education.

The degrees will continue to be offered on campus by the Department of Teaching and Learning, and starting in the fall 2014, they'll also be offered online.

"We're very excited to begin offering these degrees online through the Department of Teaching and Learning," said Dr. Robert Hill, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "These online degrees provide students a flexible and convenient way to complete their graduate studies."

Both degrees require 32 credits for graduation and can be completed entirely online through a virtual classroom. The online environment allows students to engage in interactive course materials and collaborate with peers and faculty, while modeling different techniques for literacy development.

"Change is constant in the field of literacy education, and in order for teachers and educators to adapt, they must deepen their understanding of reading instruction and student assessment. These online degrees emphasize the professional development teachers need in order to stay up-to-date on promoting student literacy," explained Dr. Shelby Barrentine, director of UND Graduate Reading Programs.

The demand for an online Masters in Reading Education arises from teacher inquiries and the increasing need to prepare students for college or careers. According to the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Common Core State Standards (2010) (www.corestandards.org), United States schools continue to struggle in ensuring high school students are ready for college and careers in the area of English Language Arts/Literacy.

"We're aware of the latest literacy rate figures, and we have a staff of outstanding teachers and researchers that all students, online and on campus, can benefit from," said Dr. Mary Baker, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning. "We anticipate these online degrees will provide teachers another option in furthering their education and giving students the necessary tools to improve their literacy achievements."

The process of offering a degree program for online or distance learning includes approval through multiple channels at the University and the North Dakota University System. University offices, faculty and staff work together to ensure courses are tailored for the online environment and offered in a format that is flexible and convenient for students.

"Collaboration among University offices is extremely important when offering online degrees like the M.Ed. and M.S. in Reading Education," said Lynette Krenelka, director of UND's Office of Extended Learning. "The College of Education and Human Development is just one of the many colleges on campus that offers quality online and distance learning."

The deadline to apply for the fall semester is July 15, 2014. For more information, contact UND's Office of Extended Learning at 1.800.CALL.UND, 701.777.3000, or visit Reading Education online.

About Online & Distance Education at the University of North Dakota:

  • UND has a strong history in distance learning, offering correspondence by mail courses since 1911. Today, more than 7,000 enroll in UND's off campus and online courses each year.
  • UND Online & Distance offers more than 35 online degrees, 75 enroll anytime college credit courses and 120 semester-based online credit courses.
  • UND ranked #11 in the nation among a review of more than 200 accredited online nonprofit schools, according to the 2012 Guide to Online Schools.
  • UND is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • UND enrolls more than 15,000 motivated and academically-prepared undergraduate, graduate and professional students in more than 200 programs of study from every state and more than 50 countries.

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