Overview

As a dedicated educator, you already know that literacy skills transform lives. That’s why this 100% online educational specialist program in language and literacy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) may be a perfect fit. You can gain expertise to help you guide new or struggling readers to success in school and beyond. Work while obtaining credentials to advance your career.

If you already have your elementary or secondary certification, you will also have the option to obtain a Missouri K–12 Special Reading Certification, a designation that will put you in demand throughout the state. With UMKC’s unique online program, you can become the teacher who makes all the difference.

Program Structure

Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required.

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take two to three classes each semester and finish in one year.

Course work includes:

• Early literacy and language development
• Dyslexia and related learning differences
• Reading instruction for K–12 English language learners
• Advanced literacy assessment and evaluation
• Organizing and guiding the reading program
• Advanced literature for children
• Language and literacy across disciplines

Courses

Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required.

Successful completion of the program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Students are required to pass a comprehensive exam in their final semester of course work for the educational specialist degree. This includes a written and oral presentation of original practitioner research.

All students should be able to demonstrate an ability to perform satisfactorily in situations approximating the intended role or specialization. While such field experience may be included in regular course work, the program also offers two practica in literacy assessment and intervention. The elementary and adolescent practica are required for Missouri certification in K–12 Special Reading.

Course planner

The chart below shows the courses offered in the program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The university reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed.

State Authorization

States require that the University of Missouri-Kansas City be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.

Please see our state authorization page for more information.

Authorized with stipulations

Students residing in these states may be eligible to enroll in this program, but certain stipulations exist.

• Colorado

How to Apply

Fulfill the admission requirements

• Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4-point scale
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (a master’s degree is strongly recommended)
• Teaching certification or minimum of two years experience working in an educational setting
• Completed application, including transcripts, a one-page statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation

Required documents

Applying will be easier and faster if you gather these required documents beforehand:

• Teacher Certification(s) or licenses. The EdSp program is primarily aimed at current elementary or secondary school teachers who want to pursue a specialization in language and literacy. Please include a valid copy of a teaching certificate you hold.
• Master's degree from an accredited institution
• Statement of purpose (on letterhead with original signature, one page, double spaced, 12 point font Times New Roman) describing your motivation for completing the program.
• Résumé
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or C1 Advanced score reports for applicants whose native language is not English.
• Two professional references. In the online application, you will need to supply names and contact details of two professionals who can attest to your critical thinking, analytical and writing skills, demonstrating your potential as a graduate student and professional.

Complete the online application

• Domestic application fee: $45.00
• International application fee: $75.00

Note: If you were ever enrolled at UMKC as a degree-seeking student, you do not need to resubmit the general UMKC application fee.

Application fee waiver questions: Contact the UMKC Office of Admissions with questions via 816-235-8652 or 1-800-775-8652 or admissions@umkc.edu.

Apply to UMKC 

Program Contact

Nora Peterman Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-2493 Email: petermanno@umkc.edu

Tuition and Fees

These estimates are for illustrative purposes only and are based on academic year 2024-2025 information. They include:

• Graduate resident tuition rate of per credit hour for 30 hours
• Online course fee of per credit hour for 30 hours
• GRAD-Education Program Fee of per credit hour for 30 hours