Caldwell University is a private, accredited Catholic university in Caldwell, NJ offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and a vibrant campus life complete with rewarding activities, clubs, and service opportunities.
Or Call Gene Soltys in Graduate Admissions at 973-618-3216.
How This Program Propels Your Teaching Career
Earn State Certification: Qualify directly for your NJ Reading Specialist Certification while earning your master’s degree.
Master Cutting-Edge Pedagogy: Gain practical, research-backed methods to tackle complex reading and writing challenges across diverse learning levels.
Built for Working Teachers: Balance your workload through a flexible hybrid model featuring both live synchronous sessions and self-paced asynchronous modules.
Flexible Clinical Hours: Build real-world experience on your terms—complete required internship hours in your current classroom or at the Caldwell University Literacy Center.
Learn from Active Practitioners: Receive direct mentorship from experienced New Jersey teachers who bring proven, classroom-tested strategies to every lesson.
What makes Caldwell University’s MA program unique?
State-Exclusive Orton-Gillingham Training: The only Master’s program in NJ to embed complete Orton-Gillingham coursework directly into the degree — covering multisensory instruction, phonics, and advanced morphology.
NJ Standout in Writing Instruction: The state’s sole literacy program featuring dedicated, specialized coursework designed to elevate writing instruction across all grade levels.
Dual-Pathway Clinical Experience: Apply what you learn through hands-on internship hours completed conveniently in your own classroom or at the Caldwell University Literacy Center.
Taught by Active NJ Practitioners: Direct mentorship from current and former New Jersey educators who bring real, state-specific classroom experience to every course.
Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Pedagogy: Gain practical mastery in whole-class literacy strategies, targeted small-group interventions, and diagnostic reading assessments.
Transfer Credits
No more than nine Caldwell University graduate credits may be transferred into this graduate program. No more than three graduate credits will be considered for transfer from another college or university graduate program. All transfer credits are subject to approval by the M.A. in Literacy Instruction program coordinator.
Post- Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program Courses for Transfer
Certified teachers who have completed the Caldwell University Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program may, with approval, substitute the following courses for those listed among the M.A. in Literacy Instruction required and/or elective courses:
ED 500E Curriculum Theory and Development for ED 581 Teaching Writing in Elementary School;
ED 500S Curriculum Theory and Development for 573 Teaching Writing in the Content Areas;
ED 505 Student Development and Learning for ED 578 Brain Based Literacy Instruction;
ED 510 Reading and Communication (3) for ED 579 Critical Thinking and Inquiry.
ED 515 and ED 520 can be transferred as electives (ED535, ED526, ED534, ED574, or ED581).
Testimonial
Samantha Murphy
2nd Grade Teacher
The Master in Literacy program at Caldwell University has been nothing short of transformative. The courses have given me a deep dive into the history of literacy, the science-based research that supports best practices, and opportunities to put theories into practice. In particular, having the chance to interact directly with students in our Learning Center gave me the chance to explore various literary devices and instructional strategies while receiving feedback and suggestions from my professor and fellow peers.
Dr. Meletta, the program director, has a contagious passion for literacy education. Her dedication to providing us with the most up-to-date knowledge and resources is truly inspiring. Dr. Meletta fosters supportive learning environments where she is always willing to offer assistance, guidance and celebrate our accomplishments. Having Dr. Meletta as a mentor has played a huge role in my growth as an educator.
Over the last three years, I have learned an abundance of new methods and approaches that I have been able to immediately implement in my classroom. The program and the dedicated professors have provided me with an invaluable experience. The program has equipped me with the confidence and tools to become a true literacy leader. I am not just a better teacher, but I am a passionate advocate for strong literacy education opportunities for all students. Anyone with a passion for literacy and who wants to impact their students’ lives should enroll in this program.