CAGS in Specialist Teacher of Reading (All Levels) 42 credits
This program 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 advanced program is designed for experienced professionals who already hold a master's degree in education. It offers thorough training in literacy strategies and approaches to meet the needs of diverse student learners. Candidates work with faculty on the cutting edge of literacy research, pedagogy, and policy, and focus on staff development as well as direct services to students across the grades.
Ideal for established K-12 practitioners looking to further develop their literacy skills and move to a higher-level degree while acquiring their specialist teacher of reading license, this program is of particular value to individuals who seek positions with responsibility for curriculum, staff development, and supervision.
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:
- Master's degree in education
- Initial or Professional license for classroom 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) or 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 Core Courses (21 credits):
All of the following required core courses must be completed prior to the practicum, and many courses include field-based assignments
| EEDUC 6174 | Literature for Children, Tweens, and Teens in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| EEDUC 6101 | Content Literacy | 3 |
| EECLD 6002 | Essential Linguistics: What Every Teacher Needs to Know about Language | 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 | Professional Development-New Role for the Classroom Teacher of Literacy | 3 |
Practicum (3 credits):
Prerequisites: Completion of a 150 hour pre-practicum experience and all practicum documentation (including applicable MTEL score reports); 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 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 |
Required Research Courses (9 credits):
Select two of the following 3-credit research courses, in consultation with advisor:
| EAGSR 7210 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EAGSR 7101 | Quantitative Research Methods I: Statistics for Research | 3 |
| EAGSR 7102 | Quantitative Research Methods II: Research Design | 3 |
| EAGSR 7103 | Qualitative Research Methods I | 3 |
CAGS Courses (6 credits):
Capstone and CAGS Qualifying Examinations (3 credits):
| EEDUC 7999 | Independent Study: Qualifying Portfolio and Oral Examination | 3 |