M.A.T. in Reading and Language Arts

• Exceptional outcomes on the Reading Specialist endorsement test. Our graduates perennially exceed the state average on Michigan’s reading specialist certification exam. 
• Experiential training. You can work directly with students who are struggling readers and writers during OU's renowned summer Reading and Writing Clinics. These experiential learning opportunities enable you to administer, score and interpret  literacy assessments; analyze individual students’ strengths, needs, and reading levels; and develop and deliver data-driven literacy instruction.
• Nationally renowned faculty. OU's reading and language arts master’s program is led by some of the leading researchers and practitioners in the field. All of our instructors hold doctorates and are active in literacy research and practice communities, ensuring that you learn the most up-to-date theories and evidence-based practices in literacy instruction.
• Research opportunities. Guided by a faculty expert, you will learn to conduct research that can transform your literacy teaching practice and your students' literacy learning outcomes.
• Commitment to educational equity and justice. OU's School of Education and Human Services puts strong emphasis on inclusive policies and practices. You’ll gain theoretical expertise and practical skills to teach reading effectively to students from diverse backgrounds in ways that reflect a focus on equity and justice, such as the following:
  • Meet and learn from diverse authors and illustrators in your children’s/adolescents’ literature class.
  • Explore diverse children’s and adolescents’ literature and how to use it effectively in your teaching.
  • Practice selecting and integrating culturally relevant texts into your literacy instruction with children from marginalized backgrounds.
  • Engage with critical perspectives and culturally sustaining pedagogies in your literacy instruction.

What we’re looking for in a MAT candidate:

• bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA

Ready to apply?
To apply, visit oakland.edu/futureoustudents. In addition to the online application, you'll also need:

• two recommendation forms
• official transcripts from previous academic work
• supplemental application

Shortly after your application, transcripts, and recommendation forms are received, you’ll be notified about whether or not you have been accepted. It’s that easy. We can’t wait to work with you!

Not sure yet? No problem. 

Your coursework for the RLA MAT program qualifies you to take the Reading Specialist (BR) endorsement test. Together, these open multiple career trajectory possibilities:

• classroom reading teacher (K-12)
• title 1 or remedial reading teacher (push in, pull out, small group)
• literacy coach 
• literacy consultant
• literacy curriculum coordinator

Get started on your best literacy teaching life today!

Our program is designed for your busy schedule:

• Fully online: Learn both synchronously and asynchronously from the comfort of your home. 
• Predictable schedule: All classes are held on Mondays or Wednesdays, once per week.
• Evening Classes: September - June
• Need support? We’re happy to talk with you in real time - call or video chat with your professors or program coordinator as needed!

Save time and money!
Our program is designed to be more efficient than most Literacy MAT degrees :

Take just 8 classes (32 credits) across two years:

• RDG 5520: Foundations in Reading Instruction 
• RDG 5558: Disciplinary Literacies 
• RDG 6996: Master’s Research Project 
• RDG 5542: Teaching Writing in the Elementary & Secondary Schools 
• RDG 5640: Leadership in Literacy Instruction 
• RDG 5533: Adolescent Literature OR RDG 5530 Authors’ & Illustrators’ Craft 
• RDG 6962: Literacy Assessment 
• RDG 6963: Assessment Based Literacy Instruction 

Fees
We’re proud to be the only public university in Michigan that doesn’t charge fees (application fee, course fee, health fee, etc.). We have just one price: the cost of tuition. What you see is what you pay.