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Online M.Ed. Applied Learning and Instruction – Literacy

Help Students Become Confident Readers and Writers

Online

2 Years

36 Credit Hours

$362 per Credit*

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Upgrade Your Literacy Expertise With a Flexible Online Program

  • Apply By: 05/21/26
  • Start Class: 06/04/26 

This master’s in literacy education online program prepares you to design, implement and continuously improve literacy initiatives for students in need of reading and writing support. Whether you’re teaching an individual, several small groups or a classroom, you will be ready to apply evidence-based literacy strategies that lead to measurable growth.

Ideal for an educator’s busy schedule, this degree program is delivered in a convenient online format. You can enjoy the freedom of studying anytime, anywhere — while also learning research-backed literacy development strategies from knowledgeable instructors.

Concentration Details

  • No application fee
  • Learn on your schedule with a flexible online format
  • Curriculum supported by local school leaders
  • Emphasis on diagnostic assessment and targeted intervention
  • Coursework applies to South Carolina add-on certification
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What Will I Learn in the Literacy Concentration?

Through innovative coursework, you will learn to develop and implement best practices for supporting reading and writing development in K-12 students. Our mentoring faculty will teach you to diagnose students’ literacy challenges and solve them using holistic, evidence-based interventions that meet the state’s Read to Succeed standards.

The USC Upstate M.Ed. curriculum is reviewed and approved by local district leaders, so you can be certain your coursework is precisely aligned with the educational needs of South Carolina schools and students.

Literacy Education Required Courses

An overview of reading and its curricular implications. Emphasis will be placed on developing teachers’ knowledge and understanding of the linguistic, psychological, and social foundations of reading and writing instruction.
Demonstration and critical evaluation of reading and writing instructional approaches. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based approaches, instructional materials and integrative, comprehensive, balanced curricula necessary to support student learning in the PK-5th grade classroom.
Diagnostic assessments and differentiated reading strategies. Emphasis will be placed on administering assessments, interpreting results, and matching research-based strategies to meet the needs of PK-5 students. Meets Read to Succeed requirements.

Demonstration and critical evaluation of strategies and structures to promote effective content area literacy. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based approaches and how to incorporate literacy into cross-disciplinary content areas in the PK-5th grade classroom.
Take 1: EDLC U727 or EDLC U728

A survey of reading and writing strategies for supporting learning in the content areas. Attention will also be given to enhancing literacy skills of middle school and secondary school students.
Take 1: EDLC U727 or EDLC U728

Theories of first and second language acquisition and literacy acquisition. Attention is given to strategies and techniques for guiding second language learners through the reading and writing process and for assessing progress in literacy acquisition.

Our online Master of Education degree equips you with enhanced tools to take your classroom to the next level. Increase your repertoire of cutting-edge instructional strategies with seven core courses covering a range of modern education trends and challenges.

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What is the Career Outlook With a Master’s in Literacy?

Earn your master’s degree in literacy education online and become a sought-after expert. You will help meet the rising demand for educators capable of coaching struggling students and multilingual learners’ literacy development. This program also fulfills South Carolina’s course requirements for the literacy teacher add-on certification.

Feel confident taking the next step in your teaching career with our Career Management Office. Their team offers current and former USC Upstate students resume and cover letter assistance, mock interview help, skills workshops, personalized career counseling and more.

Elementary School Teacher $62,310 per year1

Instructional Coordinator $74,720 per year2

Explore More M.Ed. in Applied Learning and Instruction Concentrations

Align your M.Ed. degree online program to your future when you select a required concentration. Each option is taught by world-class faculty and delivered in a flexible online learning format.

Applied Learning and Instruction, (M.Ed.): Early Childhood

The M.Ed. Early Childhood Education online coursework is rooted in developmental theory and provides today’s best practices for working with children.

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Applied Learning and Instruction, (M.Ed.): Elementary

Expert educators will teach you research-driven, grade-level specific teaching strategies you can use right away in this master’s elementary education.

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Applied Learning and Instruction, (M.Ed.): TESOL

This TESOL online program prepares you to effectively teach and support multilingual K-12 students in a broad range of educational environments.

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Applied Learning and Instruction, (M.Ed.): Research in Practice Education

Strengthen your research literacy capabilities and take steps toward qualifying for the S.C. gifted and talented or project-based learning endorsement.

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers.” Retrieved Sept. 26, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Instructional Coordinators.” Retrieved Sept. 26, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm.

*In-state tuition with South Carolina teaching certificate