M.Ed. in Specialist Teacher of Reading (All Levels) 33 credits
This program of study is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Initial License in Specialist Teacher of Reading (All Levels) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This program offers thorough training in a variety of literacy strategies and approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners and is highly regarded for its outstanding professional training and for the expertise and diverse backgrounds of the faculty. Emphasis is on the teaching of reading, narrative and expository writing, assessment informing instruction, and staff development. The coursework for the specialist teacher of reading program can be used to move an Initial license in early childhood, elementary, or special education to the professional level.
Note: An Initial or Professional license and at least one year of teaching experience under that license are required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to be eligible for a license as a specialist teacher of reading.
Program Prerequisites
- Initial or Professional license for classroom teacher or special education teacher
- EEDUC 5400 Literacy and Literature: Methods and Materials (1-6) (or equivalent)
- EEDUC 5122 Development and Learning: Psycho-social Perspectives in Education (or a course in child development and a course in adolescent development)
- EECLD 6115 Sheltered English Instruction (PreK-6), EECLD 6116 Sheltered English Instruction (5-12), or documented state approved SEI endorsement.
For the university's transfer credit policy for this and other programs, see the Transfer of Credits page.
Program of Study
Required Courses (30 credits):
| EEDUC 6164 | Perspectives on Literacy, Learning, and Teaching | 3 |
| EECLD 6001 | Culturally Responsive Teaching | 3 |
| EEDUC 6174 | Literature for Children, Tweens, and Teens in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| EEDUC 6101 | Content Literacy | 3 |
| EEDUC 6032 | Exploring Nonfiction Across the Content Areas K-12 | 3 |
| EECLD 6002 | On Languages: What Educators Need to Know about Linguistics | 3 |
| EEDUC 6001 | The Teaching of Writing (K-12) | 3 |
| EEDUC 6136 | Literacy: Building Strengths, Addressing Needs | 3 |
| EEDUC 6135 | Assessment: A Literacy Perspective | 3 |
| EEDUC 7130 | Leadership in Language & Literacy: Coaching & Collaboration | 3 |
Practicum (3 credits):
Prerequisites: Practicum application submitted by April 1 for Fall or November 1 for Spring; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; completion of all pre-practicum courses with no outstanding incomplete or failing grades. This 150-hour, full time, semester-long experience requires an accompanying seminar course and includes a field experience fee and 3 credits of tuition. Field Placement Office must approve all practicum placements.
| EEDUC 7105 | Practicum: Literacy: Interactive Assessment and Instruction | 3 |