Literacy MA
- Master's Degree
Online Master’s Degree for Reading Teachers
Do you want to improve reading and literacy outcomes for your students? Our online Literacy Master of Arts degree is designed for working K-12 teachers like you.
This degree will give you the skills you need to help your students succeed with reading and writing in today’s classrooms. You will be prepared as a specialized leader who can solve problems to help students grow.
Because this program is fully online, you can fit your studies around your schedule and still finish in less than two years.
What You’ll Learn
This program is not just a concentration of a general teaching degree. All of your classes in this program will focus on literacy. You’ll learn to:
- Teach reading, writing and literature.
- Be a leader in literacy at your school
- Use research and assessments to help students.
Most importantly, you’ll learn how to help students who struggle with reading and writing.
Your Career in Literacy Education
Excel in the Classroom
You can stay in your classroom, connecting your students to reading and writing. Apply literacy teaching expertise every day.
New Job Opportunities
This degree can open up new job opportunities, such as:
- Literacy Specialist
- Literacy Coach
- Reading Intervention Teacher
These jobs let you lead reading programs, help other teachers and create new learning plans for your school.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
Our online delivery allows you to fit your coursework around your busy schedule.
- You can complete this degree in less than two years (five academic terms).
- There is a mix of 8-week and 16-week courses.
To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Dalton Chamberlin
Enrollment Counselor
Jim Erekson
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
What Our Students Say...
Alumnus
Working with other teachers from the area has not only allowed me to gain knowledge of new best practices, but has given me a collegial cadre of friends who share a passion for children and teaching. In every way, UNC has been a positive experience.”
Kimberly Bontem
Alumnus
I am currently in my 22nd year of teaching, and I have taught kindergarten through 8th grade. Going back to graduate school was the best decision I ever made. The pace was perfect and the courses were always very engaging.
Penny Hahn
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- You must have one year of full-time teaching experience.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
We recommend that you apply by July 1 for the Fall term start, but we will accept qualified applicants up until the first day of classes if space is available. Please check with the Enrollment Counselor about space if you are applying just before the program begins.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Literacy (M.A.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status