M.Ed. in Reading: Become a Reading Leader in Your School
NLU's CAEP-accredited M.Ed. in Reading prepares licensed Illinois educators to earn the Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement and lead literacy change, online and on your schedule.
- CAEP-Accredited
- Reading Teacher or Specialist Endorsement
- Low Residency or Virtual
- Stackable to the Ed.S.
Request More Information
Program at a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Administer and interpret a range of literacy assessments
- Plan and deliver culturally responsive literacy interventions
- Teach reading and writing across the grades
- Coach teachers and lead literacy programs (Specialist track)
- Complete elementary and secondary literacy practica
- Qualify for the Illinois Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist endorsement
Full Course List
Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.
Admissions Requirements
- A current Illinois PEL with a teaching field endorsement
- Two years of teaching experience (for the Reading Specialist option)
- Online application at nl.edu with official transcripts
- An advisor helps you choose the Teacher or Specialist track
- Note: the Specialist option requires teaching experience across varied grades
A Reading Teacher option for classroom literacy specialists, and a Reading Specialist option for literacy leaders and coaches.
The Specialist track prepares you to coach colleagues, lead professional development, and drive literacy change across a school or district.
A CAEP-accredited program with a clear path from endorsement to M.Ed. to Ed.S., taught at a 135-year college of education.
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
Reading Teacher graduates continue in K to 12 classrooms with specialized literacy expertise, providing diagnostic and intervention support. Reading Specialist graduates move into literacy coaching, reading coordinator, and instructional leadership roles across PK to 12 schools and districts.
Instructional coordinators, a common destination for literacy leaders, earn a median salary of $74,720 with about 21,900 openings a year (BLS, May 2024). The Illinois Reading endorsement is the credential that opens these coaching and coordinator roles.
How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps
-
Request Information
Submit the form above. An NLU enrollment specialist will reach out within one business day.
-
Connect With an Advisor
Your advisor helps you choose the Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist track and confirms your PEL and experience.
-
Apply and Start Classes
Submit your application at nl.edu with no application fee, transcripts, and your PEL. Next start: September 21, 2026.
Take the First Step
No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path to a Reading endorsement.
Take the First Step- CAEP-Accredited
- Reading Teacher or Specialist Endorsement
- Low Residency or Virtual
- Stackable to the Ed.S.
*Salary and openings: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators (SOC 25-9031), May 2024.
**Endorsements and curriculum: SmartCatalog, National Louis University, Reading M.Ed. (nl.smartcatalogiq.com); Illinois Reading Teacher (Test 222) and Reading Specialist (Test 221). NCE is CAEP-accredited.