{"id":1567,"date":"2026-02-16T20:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T20:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/?p=1567"},"modified":"2026-02-20T20:56:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T20:56:36","slug":"empowering-literacy-leaders-online-ma-ed-in-literacy-at-furman-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/empowering-literacy-leaders-online-ma-ed-in-literacy-at-furman-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Literacy Leaders: Online M.A.Ed. in Literacy at Furman University"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/people\/katie-kelly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Katie Kelly<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1643 alignleft lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/02\/katie-kelly2.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Katie Kelly\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/02\/katie-kelly2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/02\/katie-kelly2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2026\/02\/katie-kelly2-512x512.jpg 512w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 225px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 225\/225;\" \/>Strong literacy instruction transforms lives\u2014it empowers learners, opens doors and creates pathways for lifelong learning and success. Furman University\u2019s online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/education\/graduate-studies-in-education\/literacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Master of Education (MA.Ed.) with a concentration in Literacy<\/a> advances educators\u2019 expertise as literacy teachers, scholars, leaders and advocates for all readers and writers.<\/p>\n<p>Grounded in research and responsive to classroom realities, the program connects theory to practice. Coursework emphasizes evidence-based reading and writing instruction, assessment, intervention and culturally sustaining approaches to literacy learning, preparing candidates to meet diverse learners\u2019 needs while fulfilling state and professional literacy standards, including the <strong>South Carolina Read to Succeed endorsement<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At Furman, literacy is not viewed as a one-size-fits-all skill. Instead, the program recognizes that reading and writing are deeply shaped by students\u2019 identities, languages and lived experiences. As <strong>reflective practitioners and scholars<\/strong>, candidates examine their own beliefs and instructional practices while learning how literacy instruction can foster belonging, engagement and equity\u2014ensuring that all learners see themselves as capable, confident readers and writers who can make a difference in the world. Courses are designed for immediate and meaningful application. From analyzing student data and designing targeted literacy interventions to implementing strategies in diverse learning contexts, educators leave the program equipped with the knowledge and skills to impact literacy instruction at multiple levels.<\/p>\n<p>Candidates benefit from expert faculty mentorship and collaborative learning with fellow educators. The fully online format offers flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor, allowing candidates to continue serving their students and communities while advancing their professional practice.<\/p>\n<p>Graduates may obtain certification as a <strong>PK\u201312 Literacy Teacher<\/strong> and, after five years of successful teaching experience, certification as a <strong>Literacy Coach<\/strong>. The program is aligned with South Carolina Read to Succeed endorsement requirements. With a focus on sustainable, culturally responsive pedagogy, the program prepares educators to honor students\u2019 unique strengths and contributions while shaping high-quality literacy instruction in classrooms, schools and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>If you are passionate about helping students develop strong literacy skills and identities, Furman\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/education\/graduate-studies-in-education\/literacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MA.Ed. in Literacy<\/a> offers the research-based knowledge, mentorship and practical experience to lead the way. Because when educators grow, students and communities thrive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Katie Kelly Strong literacy instruction transforms lives\u2014it empowers learners, opens doors and creates pathways for lifelong learning and success. Furman University\u2019s online Master of Education (MA.Ed.) with a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1642,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,144],"tags":[38,223,42,198,133,41,37],"class_list":["post-1567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-education-insight","tag-education","tag-furman-innovation-lab","tag-furman-university","tag-graduate-school","tag-graduate-studies","tag-literacy","tag-teacher-education"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1567"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1647,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567\/revisions\/1647"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/graduate-studies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}