Promotes school, adult, and digital literacy in a variety of settings, including classrooms, community, college campuses, and beyond.
Embark on a one-year transformative educational journey with our Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed. program, an interdisciplinary program focused on the study of literacy and language from sociopolitical, cultural, psychological, historical, and linguistic perspectives. Students can tailor the program to their area of interest by selecting electives from other Penn GSE programs and across the University of Pennsylvania.
Literacy Across the Lifespan
Students gain practical experience by applying classroom knowledge in public, charter, and independent schools; community colleges; community and social service agencies, working with a wide array of learners across generations and cultures.
Reading Specialist CertificationWould you also like to earn your Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification? Penn GSE is one of few state approved programs that allows students without a teaching certification or one year of teaching experience to earn your certification. Learn more about the Reading Specialist Certification program. |
Program Details
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July 1 & 15 Application Deadline for 2025 Entry
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Summer or Fall Entry Terms
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Full or Part-Time Enrollment Format
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10 Courses
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1 Year Duration (Full-Time)
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On Campus Modality
Overview
We cultivate literacy practitioners, researchers, and policymakers primed to navigate the nuanced environments of various schools, communities, families, and cultures. 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.
Our program faculty, renowned scholars in literacy and language, are deeply committed to educational change, viewing institutions as vital spaces for promoting equal opportunity, equal access, and transformation. From sociopolitical and cultural lenses to psychological, historical, linguistic, and literary perspectives, our approach is holistic, reflecting the multifaceted nature of literacy.
Literacy Studies M.S.Ed. has three additional program options to fit your career goals and professional path, including Reading Specialist Certification, Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.)/Literacy Studies M.S.Ed. Dual Degree, and Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Program.
Take the Next Step
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
Upcoming Events
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Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Location: Online
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Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Curriculum
Literacy Studies M.S.Ed. (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.
Literacy Studies M.S.Ed. with Reading Specialist Certification (10 or 11 courses): Eight required courses and two electives. An eleventh-course sequence is required for students without a teaching certification and one year of teaching experience. 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 Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed. in the University Catalog.
Do you have questions about the plan of study?
We are here to help! Contact the program staff below:
Program Manager: Tamika Easley, teasley@upenn.edu
Administrative Assistant: Alondra Ortiz, ortizalo@upenn.edu
Outcomes
The Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed. program 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.
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A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Affiliated Faculty
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Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
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