Literacy Education (MAE)
Master of Arts in Education
Develop and extend your literacy education expertise in both leadership and the classroom
- Delivered entirely online
- Next cohort begins: Fall 2026
- You may be eligible to receive a scholarship - See below for details!
Features
Entirely Online | 30-33 Credits | 5 semesters
- Take courses taught by expert faculty who represent diverse perspectives in literacy, and focus on investigating connections across literacy curriculum, theory and practice.
- Embrace a wide conceptualization of literacy and its role in classrooms.
- Develop professional skills expected of a literacy specialist and instructional leader.
- Earn the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement if you already hold a Reading K-8 or 5-12 endorsement (more information below)
As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.
Taraneh Matloob Haghanikar
Program Coordinator
Associate Professor, Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education
tmatloob@uni.edu
319-273-2167
Lisa Jaeger
Enrollment Contact
lisa.jaeger@uni.edu
319-273-2504
Request Information
Coursework is offered via Zoom on Tuesday evenings with fall and spring courses being taught in eight-week modules, and summer courses offered in May, June and/or July. Courses are supported online using Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and provide a sense of community with fellow classmates. An orientation will be scheduled before courses begin.
View course sequences:
A Literacy Education specialty often helps UNI graduates move to the top of the list in job searches. For further employability, students may also consider taking courses to earn an Iowa Reading Endorsement. Literacy Education offers three types of reading endorsements, depending on your choice of electives:
- Reading Education grades K-8 (available online)
- Secondary Reading grades 5-12
- Reading Specialist K-12
A majority of the courses for these endorsements are offered online through UNI.
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Coursework is offered via Zoom on Tuesday evenings with fall and spring courses being taught in eight-week modules, and summer courses offered in May, June and/or July. Courses are supported online using Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and provide a sense of community with fellow classmates. An orientation will be scheduled before courses begin.
View course sequences:
A Literacy Education specialty often helps UNI graduates move to the top of the list in job searches. For further employability, students may also consider taking courses to earn an Iowa Reading Endorsement. Literacy Education offers three types of reading endorsements, depending on your choice of electives:
- Reading Education grades K-8 (available online)
- Secondary Reading grades 5-12
- Reading Specialist K-12
A majority of the courses for these endorsements are offered online through UNI.
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Earn your Reading Specialist Endorsement
MAE students have the option to earn the Reading Specialist K-12 (#176) endorsement if they already hold a Reading K-8 (#148) or Reading 5-12 (#149) endorsement. Those without the endorsement must complete additional courses totaling 6 credits beyond the standard curriculum.
To be admitted, students must have:
- 2.75 is the minimum GPA to be accepted without provision; applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 may still be admitted provisionally, at the discretion of the program and the Division of Graduate Studies.
Along with the application, you’ll need to submit:
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume and/or CV
- Applicant statement
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
College of Education Scholarships:
Graduate tuition scholarships are available for College of Education graduate students who are applying or enrolled in an online program, pending scholarship criteria. You may be eligible for any of the following scholarships:
- $1,000 Stanley & Norma Reeves Quasi-Endowed Scholarship - Awarded to select students and can be used toward educational expenses.
- COE Dean's Graduate Scholarships
- Graduate Tuition Scholarships (funded through the UNI Division of Graduate Studies)
- Other COE and COE department scholarships funded through the UNI Foundation
Apply for these scholarships using the COE Graduate Scholarship Application. Deadline is April 15.
Online & Distance Education Scholarship
Online & Distance Education offers $2,000 scholarships for degree-seeking students enrolled in select graduate programs. There is no deadline to apply.
Next Steps
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information, and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Apply
Along with your UNI application, you should submit:
- record of a bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Applicant statement
- CV/Resume
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships are available for qualified students. Learn more and apply for the scholarship today.
Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.
Annika Buell
"This program is a great option for full-time teachers who wish to continue their education. The program and professors are conscientious of students' time, and the program challenges students to reflect on their own practice and empowers them to become literacy leaders in their communities."
Class of 2022, Literacy Education
Nicole Henningsen
"I chose UNI's Literacy MAE because I wanted more knowledge in the literacy field. Because my teaching role is specific to reading, I wanted to further my studies to support my students and colleagues. The distance education model fits very well with my work/home balance. I love the cohort model! The Literacy Education MAE program has helped me become a more informed teacher in many areas of literacy. I am more aware of the ever-changing reading topics in schools today, and I am more confident in ways to help my students with their various reading needs. Also, I have really enjoyed our courses and professors and have shared content with other teachers at school. I would highly recommend this online Literacy Education MAE program to others."