Literacy Expertise, Multiple Paths
GCU offers four graduate programs in the Reading and Literacy family — each designed for a different combination of goals, certifications, and career directions. All four require a valid NJ instructional certificate for admission, and all four are built on the same commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in current research.
One thing every program in this family shares:
a keystone assessment in every course — a portfolio artifact that documents your growing expertise and gives you something concrete to show hiring committees, curriculum directors, and district literacy supervisors.
How to choose:
Read the comparison below. If you're still not sure, contact Graduate Admissions or the Education department — we can help you find the right fit.
Program Comparison — Which is Right for You?
Reading/Literacy Specialization, M.Ed.
Credits: 30
Certifications earned: NJ Reading Specialist certification eligibility (after 3 years teaching)
Wilson credentials: Not included in this track
Best for: Certified teachers who want comprehensive reading specialist preparation — covering assessment, diagnosis, intervention, program leadership, and clinical practicum — and want to pursue NJ Reading Specialist certification. The broadest literacy specialist degree, without the Wilson sequence.
Also includes: Post-Master’s Reading Specialist Certification pathway for candidates who already hold a master’s degree (30 credits, different curriculum — see program page for details)
Full Program Details: →
Multisensory Literacy with ESL Certification, M.Ed.
Credits: 31
Certifications earned: NJ ESL Teacher Endorsement + Wilson Reading System Level 1 credentials
Wilson credentials: ✓ Full Wilson Level 1 sequence included
Best for: Certified teachers who work with — or want to work with — multilingual learners and English language learners, and who also want the structured literacy tools of the Wilson Reading System. Three credentials in one degree: M.Ed. + ESL endorsement + Wilson Level 1.
Full Program Details: →
Multisensory Literacy with Reading Specialist Certification, M.Ed.
Credits: 34
Certifications earned: NJ Reading Specialist certification eligibility (after 2 years teaching) + Wilson Reading System Level 1 credentials
Wilson credentials: ✓ Full Wilson Level 1 sequence included
Best for: Certified teachers who want the most comprehensive literacy credential stack available — reading specialist preparation plus Wilson Level 1 — in a single degree. The go-to program for teachers who work with struggling readers, students with dyslexia, or language-based learning disabilities.
Full Program Details: →
Multisensory Literacy with TOSD Certification, M.Ed.
Credits: 31
Certifications earned: NJ TOSD Endorsement + Wilson Reading System Level 1 Dyslexia Practitioner credentials
Wilson credentials: ✓ Full Wilson Level 1 sequence included
Special prerequisite: Valid NJ standard certificate or CEAS in P–3 or Elementary education required for admission (in addition to standard requirements)
Best for: Early childhood and elementary teachers who want to earn TOSD certification and Wilson Level 1 Dyslexia Practitioner credentials simultaneously. The most targeted track for serving students with learning disabilities in inclusive early childhood and elementary settings.
Full Program Details: →
Side-by-Side Quick Reference
| Program Details | Reading/Literacy M.Ed. | Multisensory Literacy/ESL M.Ed. | Multisensory Literacy/Reading Specialist M.Ed. | Multisensory Literacy/TOSD M.Ed. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 30 | 31 | 34 | 31 |
| NJ Certification | Reading Specialist (3 yrs teaching req’d) | ESL Endorsement | Reading Specialist (3 yrs teaching req’d) | TOSD Endorsement |
| Wilson Level 1 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (Dyslexia Practitioner) |
| Special Prerequisite | None beyond standard | None beyond standard | None beyond standard | P–3 or Elementary cert required |
| Best For | Literacy program leadership; broad specialist prep | Multilingual learner populations | Dyslexia/struggling reader intervention | Inclusive early childhood & elementary |
What is the Wilson Reading System?
The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is one of the most rigorously evidence-based structured literacy programs in the country — developed specifically for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities. With the national science of reading movement gaining momentum and NJ districts actively seeking structured literacy specialists, Wilson Level 1 credentials have become a meaningful professional differentiator.
Three of GCU’s four Reading/Literacy programs include the full Wilson Level 1 sequence (EDC6203–EDC6207), earning graduates the Wilson Level 1 credential — and in the TOSD track, specifically the Wilson Level 1 Dyslexia Practitioner designation.
Shared Admission Requirements
All programs in the Reading/Literacy family require:
- A completed application + $40 fee
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0
- Valid NJ instructional certificate (P–3, Elementary, K–8, 5–8, 7–12, or K–12 — standard or CEAS)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Personal interview with the reading/literacy specialization program director may be required
- TOSD M.Ed. track only: Valid standard certification or CEAS specifically in P–3 or Elementary education required
Contact Graduate Admissions at 732-987-2770 or [email protected]
Is this Right for You?
GCU’s Reading/Literacy graduate programs are a great fit if you:
- Are a certified NJ teacher ready to specialize in literacy instruction and intervention
- Want to earn NJ Reading Specialist certification, ESL certification, or TOSD certification as part of your master’s degree
- Work with struggling readers, students with dyslexia, multilingual learners, or students with learning disabilities — and want the most rigorous, evidence-based preparation available
- Want Wilson Reading System credentials that are increasingly expected in today’s literacy focused hiring environment
- Are looking for a program where every course builds a concrete portfolio artifact you can use in professional settings
Related Programs & Next Steps
Starting Points — If You’re Not Yet Certified:
- M.A.T. — Early Childhood Education (P–3) — Become a certified P–3 teacher first; the TOSD M.Ed. track requires this certification for admission
- M.A.T. — Elementary Education (K–6) — Become a certified K–6 teacher first; also satisfies the TOSD track’s certification prerequisite
After This Degree — Next Steps:
- Administration & Leadership, M.A. — For reading specialists ready to move into curriculum coordination or instructional supervision
- Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement — A 19-credit NJ endorsement for P–3 and
elementary teachers focused specifically on early literacy; includes Introduction to Wilson Reading System
Related Programs:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders, M.Ed. — Complements the TOSD track with deeper ASD specific expertise