Skip to main content

Be the Difference for Young Readers

Fredonia’s Literacy Education program prepares teachers to lead with purpose—and make a difference where it matters most. Designed for certified educators seeking professional certification in Literacy Education (Birth–Grade 12 or Grades 5–12), this advanced degree strengthens your career prospects while deepening your instructional power. At a time when schools are urgently seeking teachers who can raise reading outcomes and meet rising standards, literacy specialists are in high demand. Fredonia’s program gives you a competitive edge, empowering you with hands-on experience, deep pedagogical knowledge, and the flexibility of online and in-person learning. For students, it’s a bold step toward leadership in education. For parents, it’s a practical choice that opens the door to impactful and rewarding careers.

What You’ll Gain

  • Professional Certification - Earn advanced NYS certification in both your content area and literacy education—doubling your employability.
  • Instructional Leadership - Prepare for roles such as literacy specialist, reading coach, or curriculum coordinator with a strong foundation in literacy theory and practice.
  • Field-Based Experience - Engage in five structured, supervised field placements that connect coursework with real classroom practice.
  • Responsive Teaching Skills - Learn to plan, instruct, reflect, and respond effectively—skills that enhance student outcomes and set you apart as an educator.
  • Diverse Classroom Competency - Build inclusive, culturally responsive teaching strategies through coursework focused on diversity and equity.
  • Research-Based Practice - Ground your instruction in proven literacy frameworks and data-driven methods used in successful school systems.
  • Collaborative Learning - Join a cohort of motivated educators and work closely with faculty and local school partners across Western New York.
  • Flexible Online Option - Complete the Literacy Education (All Grades) program fully online, balancing your career with graduate study.
  • Career Mobility - Advance your opportunities in roles such as reading specialist, early childhood educator, special educator, or instructional coordinator.

Ready to Lead? Apply Now!

This is your moment. Take the next step and join a graduate program built for impact. 

Apply today—your future won’t wait.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Career Opportunities for Literacy Education All Grades (Online)

  • Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Teacher
  • Elementary Classroom Teacher (with literacy specialty)
  • K-12 Literacy Program Developer
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Reading Specialist
  • English as a New Language (ENL/ELL) Teacher
  • Instructional Coach
  • Learning Support Coordinator
  • Middle or High School English/ELA Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher with literacy focus
Fredonia degree map icon

What does a sample degree look like?

Fredonia catalog seal icon

What does a Graduate Degree in Literacy Education: All Grades look like?

EDU 552 Introduction to Literacy Assessment

The course investigates the nature and process of literacy assessment, with an eye to the diagnosis of literacy difficulties. The course requires Candidates to develop competence in using a wide variety of literacy assessments and analyzing data in order to identify reading and writing problems.

EDU 579 Foundations of Literacy

The course encourages and prepares literacy educators to be sensitive to cultural and social needs of their diverse pupil population by studying relevant literature and case studies. In the course, literacy educators investigate the language-specific issues of sociology that permeate all social interactions in school and school-related environments whether spoken, non-verbal, or written.

EDU 628 Reading Specialist Practicum

The course is a field-based practicum taken at the same time as the Multicultural Children’s Literature and Technology course. It provides Candidates with a minimum of 25 hours of practicum as reading specialist, literacy coach and program leader with classroom teachers and parents.

High School Teachers

High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

  • Median NYS Salary: $92,696
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

School Administrator

School administrators plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

  • Median NYS Salary: $145,530
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Master's degree

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness.

  • Average Salary: $74,620 per year
  • Job Outlook 2023-2033: 2% growth
  • Typical Entry-Level Education: Master's degree

Student Experiences

One of my favorite things about Fredonia is that I have been in a classroom since my freshman year. So every year, at least one semester, I'm in a classroom getting hands on experience with students, doing lesson plans and working on reading and development. So I'm automatically applying what I'm learning in the classroom into a real life classroom with children. And it's helped my experience immensely.

— Kayla Makosiej

Latest Articles

Education in the News

Academic News

Students present research to a wide audience at conference

Inspiration was a key takeaway for students who gave research presentations at a Diversity, Equity...

College of Education, Health Sciences, and Human Services

Veteran educator, administrator to direct SUNY Fredonia’s Educational Leadership program

A new director with a strong background in Pre-K-12 and higher education levels will lead Fredonia’s...

Division of Academic Affairs

SUNY Fredonia announces partnership with 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

SUNY Fredonia is proud of this unique opportunity.

Take the next step

Request Info Visit Apply