2025-2026 Academic Catalog

CAGS in Specialist Teacher of Reading (All Levels) 36 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.

Program of Study

Required Core Courses

All of the required core courses must be completed prior to the practicum. Many courses include field-based assignments.


Practicum prerequisites: Successful completion of required pre-practicum courses; satisfactory completion of appropriate Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements. The 150-hour practicum is accompanied by a weekly seminar and requires a field experience fee.


EECLD 6002On Languages: What Educators Need to Know about Linguistics

3

EEDUC 6164Perspectives on Literacy, Learning, and Teaching

3

EEDUC 6001The Teaching of Writing (K-12)

3

EEDUC 6135Assessment: A Literacy Perspective

3

EEDUC 6101Vocabulary and Comprehension Across the Curriculum

3

EINSE 6014Targeted Reading and Writing Instruction

3

EEDUC 7130Leadership in Language & Literacy: Coaching & Collaboration

3

EEDUC 7105Practicum: Literacy: Interactive Assessment and Instruction

3

EEDUC 7130: may be taken concurrently with EEDUC 7105

Choose one with academic advisor

EEDUC 6174Literature for Children, Tweens, and Teens in a Diverse Society

3

EEDUC 6032Exploring Nonfiction Across the Content Areas K-12

3

Choose one with academic advisor
EAGSR 7118Nature of Inquiry: Below the Surface of Research

3

EAGSR 8115Theoretical Perspectives

3

Required Research Courses
EAGSR 7101Quantitative Research Methods I: Statistics for Research

3

EAGSR 7103Qualitative Research Methods I

3