Recognition validates program’s alignment with science of reading, structured literacy and national standards for teacher preparation
Marian University’s M.S. in Reading Science program has earned accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association, recognizing the program’s alignment with research-based standards for preparing educators to teach reading effectively.
The accreditation, effective from 2026 through 2031, follows an extensive external review of the graduate program, which has been designed since its inception around the science of reading and structured literacy.
IDA accreditation evaluates educator preparation programs for alignment with the organization’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. The standards define the knowledge and skills educators need to provide effective reading instruction, including preparation in foundational reading skills, language comprehension, written expression, and assessment and intervention.
“Earning IDA accreditation validates what we set out to build at Marian,” said Karen Betz, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Literacy, and Director of Reading Science programs in Marian University’s Fred S. Klipsch Educators College. “Our goal has always been to cast a wide net, build deep knowledge in our graduate students so they can take that knowledge back to their classrooms, schools, and communities and share it with others. Teacher knowledge is powerful, and when we invest in teachers, the impact reaches far beyond a single classroom.”
Built Around the Science of Reading
Earning accreditation required Marian University to complete an extensive self-study and provide evidence from across the M.S. in Reading Science curriculum, including syllabi, course content, readings, assessments, assignments, faculty qualifications, and evidence of student learning and application.
Experts in reading science and structured literacy reviewed the program to determine whether students receive sufficient depth of instruction and opportunities to apply and demonstrate their knowledge.
For Marian University, accreditation provides external validation of an approach that has shaped the M.S. in Reading Science since its development. Rather than adapting an existing literacy program to incorporate the science of reading, the graduate program was intentionally designed around scientific evidence on reading development, assessment, and instruction, with IDA standards informing its design.
That distinction is increasingly important as the term “science of reading” becomes more common in education. IDA accreditation offers educators considering graduate study an independent measure of whether a program has demonstrated alignment with research-based standards.
From Teacher Preparation to Classroom Impact
Marian University’s program prepares educators to understand how children learn to read, why some students struggle, and how evidence-based instruction can meet individual needs.
Graduate students develop knowledge in areas including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, assessment, and structured literacy instruction. They also learn to use assessment data to identify reading difficulties and make informed instructional decisions.
The goal goes beyond earning a graduate degree. Marian University aims to prepare educators who can apply that expertise in their classrooms and serve as literacy leaders in their schools and communities.
For students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, that preparation can be especially important. Explicit, evidence-based reading instruction can help teachers identify why students are struggling and provide instruction tailored to their needs.
Marian University’s M.S. in Reading Science is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association through 2031.
Listen to Dr. Betz on the Science of Reading Podcast here