elementary reading education student with children

Accelerated Elementary Reading Education

B.S.Ed./M.S.

Be in demand and earn skills in elementary and reading education in the most efficient way possible.

With the Elementary Education (Accelerated B.S.Ed./M.S. in Reading Education) program, you'll be prepared to teach students in diverse learning environments, gain expertise in literacy education and be prepared to implement instructional practice and assessment.

Program type:
Accelerated (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
5 years
Credit hours:
120 (bachelor's) 30+ (master's)

Why study elementary and reading education online at UND?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Feb. 15* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Dec. 1
Summer:
May 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Teaching students is one of the most fulfilling careers. With an accelerated Elementary Education degree from UND, you'll leave UND with a bachelor's in Elementary Education and a master's in Reading Education.

As a elementary education teacher candidate at UND, you'll study:

  • Curriculum
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Assessment
  • Digital technologies
  • Student-centered pedagogies

Multiple field experiences will provide you with additional opportunities for practical application in real teaching and learning environments.

Graduate students moving into the Reading Education Program develop advanced skills to offer specialized reading support for children and gain a deeper understanding of literacy development, curriculum planning, data literacy, and assessment methods.

How the Accelerated Elementary Education Degree Works

As a graduate from UND you will have completed an important step towards earning teacher licensure in elementary education in North Dakota and will also be qualified to serve in a specialized literacy position. You'll have the confidence, knowledge, and skills to provide innovative teaching and learning strategies in 1st-8th grade classrooms. You will also be prepared for specialized careers as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, or curriculum developer.

Complete the required courses, and you'll earn both your bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time. You’ll declare your program of study as an undergraduate student and follow a straightforward plan to graduate with a master’s degree.

  1. Incoming freshman or transfer students apply to UND as an undergraduate student.
  2. After completing 60 credits, apply to the School of Graduate Studies.

Accelerated Elementary Reading Education Online  

  • Learn and teach with innovative and interactive digital technologies. 

  • Work directly with students in diverse schools and communities.

  • Course work enhances your ability to conduct and analyze assessments, and plan using appropriate instructional practices for all learners including those with diverse needs.

  • Literacy leadership course targets roles and responsibilities of literacy coaches and/or reading specialists. 

  • All UND Teacher Education programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the North Dakota Educational Standards and Practices Board.

  • Be part of the ND Essential Skills Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning.

Elementary Education Careers  

64k

Median annual salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

It's essential to research the specific licensure requirements in the state or country where you intend to teach, as each region may have its own set of criteria, examinations and application procedures for teacher licensure.

You'll be eligible for licensure to teach in North Dakota after:

  1. Successfully completing a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with an overall grade point average of at least 2.75
  2. Passing state licensure exams
  3. Meeting the state's legal requirements with a satisfactory background check
If seeking a license in North Dakota, you should apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board prior to graduation.

If you're interested in a teacher license from states other than North Dakota, contact the Advising Office for the College of Education & Human Development to determine if this degree meets the criteria for licensure in your state.

Elementary Education Careers

Your combined bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and master's degree in Reading Education provide a versatile skill set that enables you to work with diverse groups of students, support reading development, and contribute to improved literacy outcomes in schools and communities. Here are some career opportunities you can expect:

  • Elementary School Teacher: Be responsible for instructing students in various subjects, fostering their academic and social development.
  • Reading Specialist: Work with students who face reading challenges, providing targeted interventions to help them improve their literacy skills.
  • Literacy Coach: Work with teachers in elementary schools to enhance their reading and literacy instruction methods. Your expertise will help educators develop more effective strategies for teaching reading.
  • Title I Reading Teacher: Focus on supporting students who are struggling academically, particularly in reading.
  • Special Education Teacher: Be prepared to work as a special education teacher, specifically for students with reading-related disabilities or learning differences.
  • Curriculum Developer: Design and create reading materials, lesson plans, and assessments that support effective reading instruction.
  • Educational Consultant: Collaborate with schools and districts to improve their reading education programs, helping them implement evidence-based practices and assessments.
  • Community Literacy Program Coordinator: Work with community organizations and libraries to coordinate and lead literacy programs that benefit children and families in your community.
  • Private Tutor: Offer tutoring services to elementary students who need additional support with reading and literacy.

Online Elementary Reading Education Courses

T&L 339. Educational Technology. 3 Credits.

Students will demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts and operations that not only support classroom curriculum but provide an avenue for continuing professional development. Students will learn to apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. The class will help students understand the social, ethical, legal and human issues that surround the use of technology in PK-12 schools. F,S,SS.

T&L 432. Learning Environments. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this class is to study psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence classroom behavior and to examine elements that contribute to a positive learning environment. An additional 15 hour field experience is required for the course over a three-week period. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F,S.

T&L 328. Survey of Children's Literature. 3 Credits.

Students survey the broad range of literature written for children. Emphasis is placed on gaining familiarity with the multicultural aspects of literature, understanding the distinguishing characteristics of genre, developing visual literacy with respect to illustration, and acquiring the ability to evaluate literature, as well as its use, with an understanding of children's developmental needs. F,S.

T&L 525. Writing in the Classroom. 3 Credits.

Based upon current scientific research, this course examines the foundational knowledge of the writing process and structures, and explores the relationship among standards, curriculum, explicit and systematic approaches to writing instruction, assessment, and the growth of diverse student writing. SS.

T&L 524. Reading in the Content Areas. 2 Credits.

How and why reading should be taught in the content areas (i.e. Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, etc.). Research studies in the field of content reading and a variety of instructional practices are reviewed.

T&L 583. Reading Clinic. 2 Credits.

Supervised clinic practicum in diagnosis of reading difficulties, report writing, and instruction. Includes school consultations. Corequisite: T&L 534.

Accelerated Online Elementary Reading Education Degree

2#

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

The entire degree program is fully online. You are never required to come to campus.

Live Online Elementary Reading Education Classes

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Education

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Meet Emma

Hi there! My name is Emma Rudolph, and I'm an Elementary Education major with a minor in Literacy Education at the University of North Dakota (UND). Originally from Fargo, I found my calling in teaching because it's the ultimate way to nurture and inspire young minds.

Explore More Options

Connect with the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional opportunities.

Department Contact
Dr. Pamela Beck
Program Director
P 701.777.6173
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