Master's in Literacy

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Literacy program is designed for teachers who want to strengthen their understanding of literacy for application within their classrooms, and to prepare Reading Specialists for teaching, diagnosis, instructional leadership, and staff development.

The Literacy program offers a master’s degree in Literacy, plus the potential for a Reading Specialist Certification. In addition, by adding two courses, candidates may also qualify for the English as a Second Language (ESL) supplemental teacher certification.  

How to enter the Graduate Literacy Program

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree – or – Successful completion of previous Master’s Degree
• Essay submitted and reviewed: “What is your vision of why you want to become a reading specialist?”

Conditional Admission

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• GPA below 3.0 – 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
• Essay submitted and reviewed: “What is your vision of why you want to become a reading specialist?”
• OTHER EVIDENCE: At least one of the following:
  • Minimum GRE score of 282 (verbal and quantitative combined);
  • The University of Texas Permian Basin takes a holistic approach in the admission of applicants to graduate programs as authorized by section 51.842 of the Texas Education Code. This section authorizes graduate programs to consider certain academic, socioeconomic, family, geographic, and other factors relating to an applicant’s background in making an admission decision for admission into the graduate program.

TEACH Grant

The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant is designed for students who intend to teach full time in a high-need field at a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. TEACH Grants are authorized in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. The program began July 1, 2008 and is authorized for five years.

M.A. in Literacy Degree Requirements

• Reading candidates complete 6 hours of Education Foundations coursework.
• Students must complete 27 semester credit hours of core courses.
• Students must complete 3 semester credit hours of research, master’s study or thesis.

Exams and Credentialing 
Upon completion of the program, certification candidates who pass the Reading Specialist state exam may be recommended to TEA for the Reading Specialist certification. Currently, UTPB has a 100% pass rate on the Reading Specialist state exam. 

Professional Certification Preparation

A graduate student seeking certification as a Reading Specialist must have at least two years of satisfactory teaching experience in Texas accredited PK-12 schools. 

Ready to get inside the classroom?

A graduate student seeking certification as an elementary or middle school classroom teacher may apply their graduate-level certification coursework toward the requirements for the Master of Arts in Literacy. Contact the Literacy program coordinator or the certification program coordinator for information about this option.