Shenandoah University

What you'll study

All students complete a 9-credit Literacy Core and then select one 21-credit concentration. Concentration options are:

• Literacy Education
• Early Literacy Concentration (M.S.)
• Individualized Design Concentration (M.S.) — allows coursework drawn from other concentrations
• Reading Concentration — Licensure Track (M.S.)
• Reading Concentration — Non-licensure Track (M.S.)
• Writing Concentration (M.S.)

Courses emphasize best practices in literacy teaching and learning, including collaboration, reflection, coaching, data analysis and authentic assessment. Residency Courses bring together classroom instruction, collaborative lesson design, technology integration, and field work with partner schools to address summer learning loss and improve reading and writing outcomes.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Graduate education applicants are required to demonstrate satisfactory undergraduate grades and may be asked for standardized test scores. Candidates for Virginia licensure concentrations must possess the appropriate, valid teaching license. International applicants must satisfy Shenandoah’s admissions and language certification rules. Shenandoah is a member of NC-SARA; out-of-state students should review licensure reciprocity and state requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue strengthened classroom practice, leadership roles in literacy coaching, and specialist positions. Teachers who complete the Reading Concentration and meet additional conditions may pursue Virginia’s Reading Specialist endorsement: this requires three years’ teaching experience, completion of the Reading Concentration, passing the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam, and the master’s degree. Educators seeking Virginia’s early childhood add-on endorsement must be currently licensed in Elementary or Special Education.

Scholarships & funding angle

Specific scholarships and funding options are not listed on the program page; prospective students should consult Shenandoah University’s financial aid office and the Division of Education & Leadership for available graduate funding, assistantships, or external grants. Consideration of licensure-related employer tuition support or state-based professional development funds may be appropriate for practicing teachers.