Reich College of Education

Accelerated Master's: Earn both your App State bachelor's & master's degrees in teacher education! 

The Reich College of Education in partnership with the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in an Accelerated Master's program. 

The following programs are offered in the College of Education: 

• Higher Education
• Reading Education (new program name: Literacy Education)
• Special Education 

Why a master's? 

• More marketable to future employers - have more tools in your toolbox
• Be an expert and highly qualified in your field of study
• Additional experiential learning opportunities
• Gain master's level licensure
• Potential to teach at a community college or university
• Opportunity to move even further in your education, including our own Ed.D. program or other doctoral programs
• Gain more specialized knowledge to help more students succeed

How to Apply

You will need the following items:

1. Resume  - Learn More about resume assistance 
2. Three academic recommendations - Learn More about reference tips, and learn more about best practices from Career Development. 

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the criteria below:

• Are enrolled as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University and have a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA. 
• Are ready to enter your final year of enrollment in your undergraduate degree program here at Appalachian, with 90 hours completed by the end of the application semester. (Applications from students not yet at 90 hours will be held until the end of the term.)

Timeline

These are generalized timelines for the admission process. 

Before Reaching 90 Credit Hours 

• Attend an advertised information session

After Reaching 90 Credit Hours And One Year Out From Graduation

• Meet with your Program Director  to discuss options
• Apply to Graduate School

Application Instructions

• Click on the appropriate Apply Now link below for the term* for which you plan to apply.
• Click on "Create an Account" and follow the instructions to set up your application account or, if you already have an account, simply login to your account.
• Click on Start New Application
• A pop-up box should appear displaying "20xx-xx Graduate Applications" with "Accelerated Master's" below it. Click on Create Application to start your application.
• Please note, if you are applying for the Reading Education Program, the name of the program will be Literacy Education.

*Your proposed admission Term* for your application must be after you graduate from your undergraduate degree program.  For example, May graduates will apply for admission to the graduate program for Summer 1 unless otherwise instructed by the graduate program. 

Questions? 

• Contact crumbleylm@appstate.edu.
• Attend an information session
• For more information, once you have been admitted, visit the Graduate School Page to get step-by-step instructions.
• Please note that students must maintain a "B" or better in their graduate courses in order for them to transfer in after completing their undergraduate program.
• Please review this video on how to request an overload if needed. 
• Be sure to apply for a graduate assistantship!

FAQs

Where's the Reading Education Program?

• If you are applying for the Reading Education Program, the name of the program will be Literacy Education.

How long does it take to get your master’s degree?

• If you take 2-4 graduate courses as undergraduates, you can complete a master’s degree in reading education or special education in one year (summer + fall + spring semesters).

Do you have to take a class during student teaching?

• No. If you want to take a course during student teaching, you are welcome to do so; however, you are not required to take a course with student teaching. The course(s) during student teaching are offered online.

Can you take classes ONLINE during/after student teaching? 

• Yes. If you know your plan is to live elsewhere after student teaching, you can complete the degree fully online as part of our Online Accelerated Master’s program. If your plans change at any point, you can transition from the online to main campus program (or vice versa). We can adapt to your needs as your life changes. 

Are scholarships available?

• Yes. Graduate scholarships and graduate assistantships are available.

What are the benefits of a master’s degree in reading education?

• A master’s degree in reading education qualifies teachers for a second area of teaching licensure–a K-12, graduate-level license in reading education. But more importantly, this degree prepares teachers to meet the language arts needs of all the students in their classes–especially those striving readers and writers.

What are the benefits of a master’s degree in special education? 

• Obtain a master’s degree in special education qualifies teachers for graduate level/advanced licensure.
• Develop more specialized knowledge in special education.
• Opportunity to engage in research and professional presentations.

Who gets a master’s degree in reading education?

• Students in reading education have undergraduate degrees from a wide variety of  programs including: elementary education, special education, middle grades education, secondary education, birth through kindergarten, and health education.

Who gets a master’s degree in special education? 

• Students in special education have undergraduate degrees from a wide variety of programs including: elementary education, communication and sciences disorders, psychology, middle grades education, secondary education, birth through kindergarten, and health education.

What kind of jobs do graduates get?

• Our graduates have been very successful in getting teaching jobs in North Carolina and other states. Most work in public school settings, and most of our graduates teach in their area of initial licensure. 

If you have a master’s degree in reading education, do you have to work as a reading specialist?

• No. Reading specialists are generally required to have both a master’s degree in reading education as well as significant teaching experience. Later in their careers, our graduates might choose to apply for reading specialist positions or they might choose to continue teaching in their area of initial licensure. Our graduates have options.

If you have a master’s degree in special education, do you have to work as a special educator? 

• No! A degree in special education can lead to a variety of job opportunities. Speak with your graduate advisor for more information about job opportunities in special education.