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Master of Education in Reading

Master of Education — Reading


IN THIS SECTION
  • Education (4+ Initial License)
    • 4+ Initial License in English as a Second Language
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure)
    • Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities (Non-Licensure)
  • Educational Leadership and Administration (Online)
    • Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Administration
  • Early Childhood Education
    • Early Childhood Education Major
  • Early Childhood Education (Online)
    • Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Education and Care
    • Early Education and Care Program
  • Education
    • Education Studies Major
    • Education Studies Minor
    • Master of Education
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure — Moderate Disabilities
    • Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities
  • Education — Moderate Disabilities (Online)
    • Online Master of Education — Moderate Disabilities
  • Education — Reading
    • Master of Education — Reading
  • Education in English as a Second Language
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure in English as a Second Language (Pre-K-6 and 5-12)
    • Master of Education in English as a Second Language
  • Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
    • Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction
  • Education Specialist in School Psychology
    • Education Specialist in School Psychology
    • Education Specialist in School Psychology
  • Education Specialist in Secondary Education
    • Education Specialist in Secondary Education
  • Elementary Education
    • Elementary Education Major
  • Elementary Education (Online)
    • Online Master of Education in Elementary Education
  • Master of Education in Secondary Education
    • Master of Education in Secondary Education
  • Middle School Education
    • 4+ Initial License in Middle School Education
    • Middle School Education Minor
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher License in Middle or Secondary Education
    • 4+ Initial License and MEd in Middle School Education
  • Reading Specialist
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Initial Teacher License for Reading Specialist
  • School Leadership and Administration
    • Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration
  • Secondary School Education
    • 4+ Initial License in Secondary School Education
    • Secondary School Education Minor
    • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Initial Teacher License in Middle or Secondary Education
    • 4+ Initial License and M.Ed. in Secondary School Education

Bring the world of reading to your students.

The Master of Education in Reading program at Worcester State University provides you with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience you need to qualify for initial licensure as a reading specialist in Massachusetts.

Worcester State offers 3 programs of study:

  • MEd in Reading (Option 1)
  • MEd in Reading with Reading Specialist Licensure (Option 2)
  • Non-Degree/Reading Specialist Licensure (Option 3)

In classes taught by accomplished faculty, you will build knowledge and competence in language development, reading theory and instruction, and meeting the needs of all learners. You will translate theory into practice through hands-on practicum experiences. Your studies culminate in a literacy research project and an electronic portfolio of work that not only demonstrates your successful completion of all program competencies but also helps you to advance your career.

In addition, you will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty on literacy research and to join the International Reading Association’s Alpha Upsilon Alpha honor society; in fact, Worcester State’s Beta Mu chapter is 1 of only 2 in Massachusetts—and it’s the only graduate-level honor society on campus.

Graduates of this renowned program are qualified to work as reading specialists, literacy coaches, and literacy / English language arts directors. Although many pursue these specific careers, others remain classroom teachers, enhancing their instruction with their reading specialist background.

View the Catalog

Options

  • The Master of Education in Reading program at Worcester State University is a 2½-year, cohort program designed for early childhood and elementary teachers interested in pursuing a professional license in early childhood or elementary education in Massachusetts as well as an initial license in reading. This MEd cohort program is designed for individuals who do not have an MEd but who have an initial or professional license in elementary education or early childhood education and are seeking initial licensure as a reading specialist.

    The program is designed to offer many levels of support for working professionals, including a mainly blended and online format, a cohort of colleagues, experienced professors, and a predictable schedule. To complete the program, students must complete a 40–43 credit program, which includes 27–30 credits in specialized reading courses. Students must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL and complete a 150-hour practicum or practicum equivalent. (Candidates must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL before registering for ED-919 Reading Practicum.)

    The program consists of the following courses:

    Philosophy and Research Requirements (9 credits)

    • ED-981 Advanced Foundations of Education (3 credits)
    • ED-982 Research in Education (3 credits)
    • ED-993 Seminar: Research in the Content Concentration (3 credits)

    Reading Content Courses (27 credits)

    • Technology and Literacy in the Classroom (3 credits)
    • ED-911 Advanced Foundations of Literacy (3 credits)
    • ED-914 Teaching and Learning Literacy across Multiple Disciplines (3 credits)
    • ED-917 Analysis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties in the Middle or Upper Grades (3 credits)
    • ER-903 Teaching Writing or approved reading/writing elective (3 credits)
    • EE-915 Detection and Remediation of Early Reading Difficulties Diagnosis (3 credits)
    • ED-915 Leadership in Literacy: Consultation, Administration, and Supervision (3 credits)
    • Teaching Culturally Linguistic Diverse Learners (3 credits)

    Reading Elective Course (3 credits)
    Graduate reading/writing courses or ED-970/971 special literacy topic courses
    (All electives must be pre-approved by the program coordinator.)

    Practicum or Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    • ED-919 Reading Practicum/Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    Capstone Course

    • ED-992 Portfolio Evaluation (1 credit)

    Total credits: 40–43 credits

  • The Master of Education in Reading with Reading Specialist Licensure program is designed for persons who wish to earn both an MEd in Reading and the Reading Specialist license. To complete the program, candidates must complete a 40–43 credit program, which includes 27–30 credits in specialized reading courses. Candidates must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL and complete a 150-hour practicum or practicum equivalent. (Candidates must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL before registering for ED-919 Reading Practicum.)

    The program consists of the following courses:

    Philosophy and Research Requirements (9 credits)

    • ED-981 Advanced Foundations of Education (3 credits)
    • ED-982 Research in Education (3 credits)
    • ED-993 Seminar: Research in the Content Concentration (3 credits)

    Reading Content Courses (27 credits)

    • Technology and Literacy in the Classroom (3 credits)
    • ED-911 Advanced Foundations of Literacy (3 credits)
    • ED-914 Teaching and Learning Literacy across Multiple Disciplines (3 credits)
    • ED-917 Analysis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties in the Middle or Upper Grades (3 credits)
    • ER-903 Teaching Writing or approved reading/writing elective (3 credits)
    • EE-915 Detection and Remediation of Early Reading Difficulties Diagnosis (3 credits)
    • ED-915 Leadership in Literacy: Consultation, Administration, and Supervision (3 credits)
    • Teaching Culturally Linguistic Diverse Learners (3 credits)

    Reading Elective Course (3 credits)
    Graduate reading/writing courses or ED-970/971 special literacy topic courses
    (All electives must be pre-approved by the program coordinator.)

    Practicum or Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    • ED-919 Reading Practicum/Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    Capstone Course

    • ED-992 Portfolio Evaluation (1 credit)

    Total credits: 40–43 credits

  • The following program is designed for individuals who have a minimum of an initial teaching license in another field and are seeking initial licensure as a reading specialist. This is a graduate-level, non-degree program.

    Students meet with the coordinator of the graduate reading program to set goals for their program and have the option to waive up to 2 courses already taken as a part of their MEd program (the program must include a minimum of 22 credits). In conjunction with the coordinator, each candidate then selects appropriate electives to meet requirements for initial licensure for reading specialist. Candidates must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL and complete a 150-hour practicum or practicum-equivalent. (Candidates must pass the Reading Specialist MTEL before registering for ED-919 Reading Practicum.)

    The program consists of the following courses:

    Reading Content Courses (24 credits)

    • Teaching Culturally Linguistic Diverse Learners (3 credits)
    • Technology and Literacy in the Classroom (3 credits)
    • ED-911 Advanced Foundations of Literacy (3 credits)
    • ED-914 Teaching and Learning Literacy across Multiple Disciplines (3 credits)
    • EE-915 Detection and Remediation of Early Reading Difficulties Diagnosis (3 credits)
    • ED-917 Analysis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties in the Middle or Upper Grades (3 credits)
    • ER-903 Teaching Writing or approved reading/writing elective (3 credits)
    • ED-915 Leadership in Literacy: Consultation, Administration, and Supervision (3 credits)

    Practicum or Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    • ED-919 Reading Practicum/Practicum Equivalent (3–6 credits)

    Capstone Course

    • ED-984 Reading Portfolio (1 credit)

    Total credits: 28–31 credits

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for this program must provide the following:

  • Proof of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA from a regionally accredited institution or from a recognized foreign institution of higher education
  • Completed graduate application, including fee and essay
  • Official transcripts (Official Course-by-Course transcript evaluation required for all college level courses taken outside of the United States.)
  • Two current letters of recommendation (Less than 6 months old)
  • Results of an English proficiency assessment, if applicable
  • A teaching license at the initial or professional level
  • Completion of a foundation course in reading, taken as an undergraduate or graduate, or significant experience in teaching reading
  • Completion of a course in human, child, or adolescent development at the undergraduate or graduate level
  • Proof of passing the Communication and Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Foundations of Reading MTELs

For applicants who obtained licensure prior to the MTEL requirement, a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Test is required.

Explore sample courses in this program.

ED-981 Advanced Foundations of Education

The course explores historical, philosophical, psychological, legal, and cultural foundations for education and school practices.
3 credits

ED-982 Research in Education

The course examines different research methods and designs, including writing hypotheses, reviewing literature, gathering data, and preparing research proposals.
3 credits

ED-983 Theory and Research in Reading

The course investigates theories and research regarding current trends in reading instruction and provides for completing a research project.
3 credits

ED-984 Reading Portfolio

This course is a capstone experience for teacher of reading candidates to document accomplishment of state certification competencies and program requirements.
1 credit

ED-911 Advanced Foundations of Literacy

The course presents current approaches to teaching reading and comprehension with an emphasis on classroom evaluation and instructional decisions, research, and application strategies.
3 credits

ED-918 Reading as Language: Teaching Literacy to English Language Learners

The course explores knowledge, perspectives, and procedures for teaching literacy to English language learners, and focuses on the interrelationship acquisition of reading.
3 credits

ED-979 Technology and Literacy in the Classroom

The course examines the key components of balanced literacy in the K-8 school classrooms with a focus on the integration of educational technology as a tool for instruction, student-centered learning, assessment, and family-school engagement.
3 credits

ED-914 Teaching and Learning Literacy across Multiple Disciplines

The course presents meaningful theory and related teaching strategies to aid pupils in reading and learning from their content area textbooks.
3 credits

ER-903 Teaching Writing to Striving Readers

The course provides the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of writing processes and instruction and its connection to reading. Students use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective writing instruction, especially for striving readers/writers.
3 credits

EE-915 Detection and Remediation of Early Reading Difficulties

The course addresses beginning reading difficulties, identification techniques, including observational surveys and running records, causes and prevention strategies, remedial material/techniques, national reading programs.
3 credits

ED-917 Diagnosis, Analysis, and Remediation of Reading Difficulties in the Middle and Upper Grades

The course focuses on causes and symptoms of reading difficulties and intervention strategies for 4-12 students in remedial situations; case study required.
3 credits

ED-915 Leadership in Literacy: Consultation, Administration, and Supervision

The course addresses the implementation, evaluation, and design of reading programs; legislation affecting reading programs; and staff development for the teacher of reading.
3 credits

Take the next step toward a Master of Education

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