Master Reading Teacher

SMU has made a commitment to promote a variety of reading initiatives through several educational programs, including the graduate-level Master Reading Teacher (MRT) program of the State Board for Educator Certification, a Master Reading Teacher (MRT) certificate program equips experienced teachers with the tools and knowledge to serve as reading resource specialists to both students and teachers in elementary schools.

The goal of SMU's MRT program is to provide teachers with expertise grounded in the latest research on reading–including issues related to reading acquisition, second language learners, reading difficulties and disabilities, and dyslexia.  In a time of increasing demand for expert reading teachers and an emphasis on scores on reading tests, SMU's program provides teachers with the tools essential for teaching reading with success.  State MRT standards and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are fully integrated into coursework through demonstrations, lesson planning, and as resources. The MRT courses may be applied to the specialization module of SMU's Master of Education.

Program Structure

There are four three-hour courses (a total of 12 semester hours) in the MRT program, taken in sequence, and completed within one calendar year. A strong element in each of the courses is a practicum in which teacher participants apply their knowledge in classroom settings. All courses include the latest research findings and applications for students who are second-language learners or advanced learners or who experience reading disabilities (including dyslexia). The courses are as follows:

• EDU 6340 Literacy Acquisition
• EDU 6363 Advanced Literacy Development
• EDU 6323 Literacy Assessment
• EDU 6311 Literacy Consultation

Schedule

For students beginning in Fall 2008:

A new cohort begins each fall with courses taken in the following sequence:

Student Evaluation

Students are evaluated both in the university and the school settings, with progress measured by traditional measures as well as evidence of application in the classroom, such as student improvement.  Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "B."

The Faculty

The MRT faculty includes, among others, Dr. Jill Allor, Dr. Patricia Mathes and Dr. Caroline Kethley. Dr. Allor joined the faculty as an Associate Professor of Literacy and Language Acquisition and the Director of the MRT program in 2004. She is also a research fellow in the Institute for Reading Research at the University. Dr. Patricia Mathes is a Professor of Literacy and Language Acquisition and Director of the Institute for Reading Research. Dr. Caroline Kethley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Visiting professors and lecturers may also contribute to the program.

Program Cost

SMU offers a substantial tuition reduction for professional teachers. The 2008-09 Academic Year cost is $411 per semester credit hour.  The tuition rate for Academic Year 2009-10 is $435 per semester credit hour. There is a one-time application fee of $75, and students planning to park on-campus must pay a parking fee. Click here to view parking fees.  In addition, students are encouraged to seek sponsorships from their school districts.

Admission to the Program

Students interested in pursuing just the MRT program (rather than pursuing it in combination with an additional graduate program) should complete the Master Teacher application; click here for a printable PDF version of the Master Teacher application.  This application form is in Adobe's PDF format; if you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is necessary to open a PDF, click here to download your free copy.  Program applications are also available in the Department of Teaching and Learning office and can be faxed or mailed to you; please call 214-768-2346.  Students interested in pursuing both the MRT and the Master of Education (M.Ed.) should complete the M.Ed. application. The MRT courses may be applied to the specialization module of the Master of Education degree.

Each applicant must submit a portfolio that contains the following.

• a completed application (see above).
• a statement indicating the applicant's professional goals and why s/he would be effective as a master reading teacher.
• a copy of his/her valid Texas Teaching Certificate.
• a copy of his/her teaching service record.
• an official transcript (an unofficial copy will suffice until the first day of class) from the school that awarded the baccalaureate degree; the transcript must reflect both the degree status (i.e., bachelor's degree completed) and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Transcripts from countries outside the United States must be accompanied by an official evaluation of the transcript by a recognized U.S. evaluation agency.
• a resume.
• three recommendation letters/forms from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic abilities, experience in teaching, and mentoring of others; at least one recommendation must come from the principal or direct supervisor.  The recommendation forms are attached to the program application form (see above).
• applicants from countries where the predominant language is not English are required to supply scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. The minimum score for admission is 550 on a pencil and paper test or 214 on a computer-based test.
• a $75 non-refundable application fee payable to SMU.

The portfolio must be received by the Department of Teaching and Learning office no later than two weeks before the pertinent semester begins.

Applicants may transfer up to three hours of equivalent coursework from other institutions provided the course was completed within the last four years with a grade of B or higher (see also MRT policies).  Students must submit the transfer request during the first semester of enrollment.  Exceptions to the above requirements must be approved by the Dean of  The Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

For more information about the MRT program, call SMU's Department of Teaching and Learning at 214-768-4889 or e-mail questions to teachlearn@smu.edu.