The Master of Education with a concentration in Literacy and Language, plus a supervised practicum, enables candidates to meet the requirements for Initial Licensure in Massachusetts as a Specialist Teacher: Reading. Licensure qualifies the recipient to work in the area of reading and language arts with students at all age and grade levels.

The Master of Education with a concentration in Literacy and Language also enables candidates holding an Initial License in Elementary, Early Childhood or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities to meet the requirements for Professional Licensure in Elementary, Early Childhood Education or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. The additional supervised practicum is not required for candidates seeking Professional License in these three fields.

The licensure program also conforms to the Standards for Reading Professionals as developed by the International Reading Association. These standards were approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

This degree requires successful completion of ten (10) courses and an oral comprehensive examination. A professional portfolio, completed as part of the degree program and based upon the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Professional Standards for Licensure, must be completed and submitted to the advisor of the Literacy and Language program four weeks prior to the oral comprehensive exam. Candidates seeking the Initial Specialist Teacher: Reading License must also complete a supervised practicum.

Students seeking an Initial Specialist Teacher: Reading License will need a 150-hour practicum. The practicum is taken only after successful completion of all required courses in the Master of Education with a concentration in Literacy and Language program and submission of a passing score on the Reading Specialist 08 MTEL. Permission of the program advisor and Associate Dean at least three (3) months prior to the practicum is required. Students must locate their own practicum site, which must be approved by the college.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires teachers seeking the Initial Specialist Teacher: Reading License to have at least an Initial Teaching License and at least one year of experience under that license.

*Candidates for the Initial Specialist Teacher: Reading License must complete a Literacy and Language research project.

Coordinator and Advisor: Dr. Diane L. Lowe, Education