Reading Endorsement Online
Earn your Reading Intervention Endorsement and realize your potential for improving reading and writing skills in students.
7/21/25
Next Application Due Date
8/4/25
Start Classes
Program Overview
Why consider our online Reading Endorsement program
$8,856*
Total Tuition
16 months (part-time only)**
Program Duration
24
Credit Hours
This accelerated online program prepares you for the Oregon Reading Intervention Endorsement. Gain the expertise to help students increase their literacy skills and advance your career without the core coursework required for a master’s degree.
In this program, you will increase your understanding of issues related
to reading instruction and assessment with research-validated strategies
and assessment tools that will help you meet the needs of individual
learners. Apply your knowledge with real-life, on-the-job training while
fulfilling your 90-hour practicum in a working classroom.
With this Reading Endorsement, you’ll be able to:
- develop an understanding of the issues related to effective reading instruction,
- acquire the tools to improve student achievement in the content areas through the developmentally appropriate integration of literacy strategies, and
- gain real-life experience through the practicum as you earn your endorsement.
Educational settings and careers for graduates of this degree:
- Reading Specialist
- Literacy & Reading Coach
- Reading & Literacy Consultant
- Literacy Specialist
- Director of Reading Intervention
SOU is #1 in the “Best Colleges for K-12 Education Degree Programs” rankings in the U.S. by Schools.com, 2020.
Also available online:
SOU offers online graduate-level education programs in a variety of concentration areas. Explore all of our online education programs.
$8,856*
Total Tuition
As few as 16 months (part-time only)
Program Duration
24
Credit Hours
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Tuition
SOU’s cost-effective tuition was designed for students like you
Our Reading Endorsement online program features the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition for all in-state and out-of-state students.
Reading Endorsement Program Tuition and Fees
The following is the tuition breakdown for the Reading Endorsement degree program.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 4 Credit Hours | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Endorsement | $369 | $1,476 | $8,856* |
Note: SOU credit hours are quarter hours. 45 SOU hours = 30 semester credit hours.
Fees: There is a $60 application fee and an $85 graduation fee. Proctoring fees, if required, are not included.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Tuition breakdown:
$8,856*
Total Tuition
$369
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Important dates for our students
The reading endorsement online is designed to be flexible for busy professionals. With seven-week courses and multiple start dates each year, you can earn your endorsement conveniently in as few as six months.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 6/16/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/20/25 |
| Summer 2 | 8/4/25 | 7/21/25 | 7/30/25 | 8/8/25 |
| Fall | 9/30/25 | 9/16/25 | 9/24/25 | 10/4/25 |
| Winter | 1/6/26 | 12/23/25 | 12/31/25 | 1/10/26 |
| Spring | 3/31/26 | 3/17/26 | 3/25/26 | 4/4/26 |
| Summer 1 | 6/16/26 | 6/2/26 | 6/10/26 | 6/20/26 |
| Summer 2 | 8/4/26 | 7/21/26 | 7/29/26 | 8/8/26 |
Now enrolling:
7/21/25
Apply Date
8/4/25
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
What you need to know before applying
The admission process for our Reading Endorsement online program is simple and streamlined so you can get started right away. Requirements for full admission include:
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA cumulative on undergraduate coursework
- No GRE or teaching license required for admission
Reading Endorsement Program Online Admission Requirements
- Applicants with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from an accredited institution and transcripts verifying a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are granted admission status into the MSEd online degree program.
- We
encourage you to apply with a GPA below 3.0 if you have work or life experience
that would contribute to your success in our program. Applications with GPAs
under 3.0 are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and additional information may
be requested. You may be asked to provide:
- An additional explanation of your intentions in pursuing the degree and a description of your readiness to succeed in an accelerated online degree program, or
- Two or three letters of recommendation speaking to your ability to succeed in an accelerated online degree program, or
- GRE scores of at least 145 Verbal, 145 Quantitative, and 3.5 Analytical Writing.
- Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended.
- No GRE or teaching license is required to enter the program. A preliminary or professional teaching license for Oregon is required prior to enrolling in READ 509 Practicum.
- International student applicants interested in enrolling in the SOU online MSEd program should contact the Office of International Programs for information related to international admissions and visa restrictions. Contact the Office of International Programs by emailing [email protected].
Southern Oregon University considers you an international student if you are NOT a:
- U.S. citizen or national;
- U.S. permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen.
Graduate Admission Requirements for International Students:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized university in that country.
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; documents must be official and include an English translation. Applicants are required to have documents mailed to SOU in a sealed envelope from the school, which has not been opened. SOU will not accept scans, faxes, photocopies, or already opened documents.
- If English is not your native language, you will need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
- You do not need to submit a score if you earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a U.S. college/university or completed your education in a native English-speaking country.
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
SOU Admissions Department1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
Have a question? Call us at 800-490-7974800-490-7974.
Courses
Learn more about the classes in your online Reading Endorsement program
The online reading endorsement curriculum is comprised of 6 courses (24 credit hours). Preliminary or Professional Teaching License for Oregon is required prior to enrolling in the practicum.
You must take six of the following courses for a total of 24 credit hours. One must be a choice among ED 544A or ED 545A.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Introduces teachers to the foundations of literacy. Examines the factors that influence literacy learning and analyzes core understandings about the nature of reading. Emphasizes consensus research findings and explores how these are translated into best practices in the classroom.
Course learning objectives:
- Summarize the five foundational pillars needed for successful reading processes
- Describe the phonological process of reading including phonics, or alphabetic principle
- Analyze the benefits of becoming a fluent reader
- Examine the effectiveness of comprehension strategies in reading instruction and assessment
- Evaluate strategies for accurate spelling instruction and assessment
- Examine multicultural perspectives in providing effective reading instruction and alternative assessments for diverse learners
- Develop an inclusive philosophy of reading pedagogy with focus on providing an equitable, welcoming learning environment
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Develops competence in teaching the interactive processes of reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and thinking across the curriculum. Focuses on strategies for teaching students of varied backgrounds and abilities (Grades 3-12). For students in grades 3-12 to be successful in the content areas they must be able to read and comprehend various informational texts and write for different purposes and audiences. This course provides teachers with the tools to improve student achievement in the content areas through the developmental appropriate integration of literacy strategies.
Course learning objectives:
- Students demonstrate the principles of discipline specific literacy practices for relevant content area(s)
- Students construct strategies for literacy instruction in their content area
- Students integrate literacy instruction strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners
- Students construct strategies to investigate and synthesize current literacy practices of their students into classroom literacy practices
- Students analyze classroom texts for students and professional texts for practitioners that support discipline literacies of diverse learners
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Provides teachers an understanding of issues related to reading instruction and assessment. Practicing educators are provided research-validated strategies and assessment tools to inform instruction, meet the needs of individual learners, and develop an understanding of the issues related to effective reading instruction. Focuses on the integral relationship between informal classroom assessments and effective instructional strategies within the context of a balanced reading approach.
Course learning objectives:
- Analyze types of reading assessments and their purposes, strengths, and limitations
- Develop appropriate and varied instructional approaches, including those that develop word recognition, language comprehension, strategic knowledge, and reading– writing connections
- Apply a wide range of reading assessment tools and practices (that range from individual and standardized group tests to informal, individual, and group classroom assessment strategies) to plan and evaluate instruction
- Explore issues in literacy that impact our mindset and assessment practices
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Explores the role of the reading specialist as a teacher and school literacy leader; how curriculum is developed; the role of coach, supervisor, and professional developer; and the role of a reading advocate for all students. (Many assignments are designed to be implemented in your school setting. If you are not currently teaching, you will need to find a school that will allow you to talk with the reading specialist and a few classroom teachers.)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Carried out in schools and/or districts and consists of candidates working directly with students, other faculty, administrators, and the school community to fulfill various roles of the reading specialist. Explores reading teaching; literacy testing; curriculum development for various groups of readers including ELL, struggling readers, average and gifted readers; assessing and making recommendations for a school's reading program; and developing literacy-focused professional development sessions for faculty, administrators, instructional assistants, and parents. Typically, the practicum is the final capstone course of the reading endorsement course of study. Prerequisite(s): Minimum 18 credits of reading endorsement coursework required. A person must have a teaching license prior to enrolling in the READ 509 practicum.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Equips teachers with a range of effective instructional methodologies for facilitating ELL students' learning. Examines innovative materials for developing culturally appropriate learning experiences. Presents approaches to instruction in specific content areas (reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies). Examines and integrates the use of current technology to enhance instruction for ELLs.
Course learning objectives:
- Culture: Candidates know and understand the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct learning environments that support ELL students’ cultural identities, language and literacy development, and content area achievement
- Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction: Candidates know and understand the use of standards-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing ELD and content instruction; including classroom organization, teaching strategies for developing and integrating language skills and choosing and adapting classroom resources
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Explores theories on how first and second languages are learned and acquired. Considers the importance of the early development of a first language and the relationship of this development to the acquisition of other languages promoting academic literacy. Investigates the relationship of the four domains of language to cognitive and cultural development for all learners. Focuses on how culture manifests itself in school settings and provides a foundation for understanding methods and strategies to ensure that each student's own cultural experiences are reflected and validated in classroom learning experiences.
Course learning objectives:
- Students will summarize the social, historical, political, and philosophical perspectives of culture and language
- Students will summarize the stages of language and how it is acquired and learned from infancy to adult
- Students will analyze perspectives of “self” and the “other” in order to challenge traditional norms that perpetuate the status quo in schools and society
- Construct how language theorists have influenced acquiring language
*Tuition and fees are subject to change.
