Reading Specialist, Initial, M.Ed.

M.Ed. Initial Licensure Programs

Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment to preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our teacher education programs embrace this vision, Education Leaders Building Inclusive Learning Communities, a vision grounded in our department’s five foundational pillars: Critical Engagement with Diversity, Community Building, Social Justice, Scholarship, and Reflection.

Westfield State University teacher education programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Westfield is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Westfield State University was awarded full accreditation for seven years in June 2020. AAQEP also awarded our educator preparation program with a commendation for our work in anti-racist education.

Applicants for the M.Ed. initial licensure programs may be required to take additional courses and/or document professional experiences in the cognate area of the license, in addition to the courses required for the master’s degree to ensure completion of the Massachusetts Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) expectations.

Students who satisfactorily complete program requirements leading to a teaching license are recommended for licensure to the Massachusetts Department of Education. Program requirements include completion of all coursework and other requirements for a master’s degree, passage of Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs), a demonstrated ability to meet program dispositional standards, and successful completion of a practicum experience.

Advising for graduate students seeking an M.Ed. leading to an initial teaching license facilitates student progress in degree programs and offers an opportunity to design and to amend programs of study, acquire career advice and address topics of particular interest to students involved in graduate study for career advancement or professional development. Registration advising is offered in advance of the semester to assist with course choices appropriate for graduate programs. Programs of study constructed during the first semester of matriculation allow students to remain active participants in their course selection.

Program Description

The Reading Specialist, Initial, M.Ed. program is created for licensed teachers in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities who desire initial licensure as a Reading Specialist. The program is designed to ensure up-to-date, scientific research-based programming of excellence in all aspects of literacy assessment and instruction aligned with the Massachusetts PreK-12 Curriculum Frameworks, Massachusetts Subject Matter Knowledge Regulations, and national accreditation standards.

For candidates who have taught for three years in the area of their initial teaching license (Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities), and who have met the other requirements listed in licensure regulations, the completed program will also lead to professional licensure in the area of the first teaching license.

WSU Reading Specialist includes two practica at the end of the program: one in clinical practice teaching younger and older learners and one in literacy leadership and coaching peers and paraeducators. Candidates are supported throughout the program with pre-practicum experiences and supervised practica.

One academic advisor supports all candidates consistently throughout the whole program. Free MTEL workshops and materials are provided each semester to support candidates in passing Field 62, Reading Specialist.

Applicants to this 33-credit hour program must have:

Initial or Professional (Standard) Massachusetts classroom teaching license in one of the areas notes above; and
One year of employment or equivalent in the role covered by the license.

See Admission requirements for graduate programs.

Program of Study

Prerequisite coursework or experience

Content knowledge in the following areas must be documented in the student’s previous academic record or professional experience. Any gaps in coverage must be fulfilled as determined by the student’s advisor.

Introductory course in special education
Introductory course in multicultural education

Required courses (24 credits)

EDUC 0565 - Practices of Critical Multicultural Education Credits: 3
or
EDUC 0633 - Social Cultural Theories: Foundations of Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0601 - School Oral and Written Literary Practices Credits: 3
EDUC 0648 - Diagnosis of and Intervention for Literacy Difficulties: Grades Prek-2 Credits: 3
EDUC 0650 - Issues and Problems in Reading: Advanced Seminar Credits: 3
or
EDUC 0632 - Research in Education Credits: 3
EDUC 0656 - Diagnosis of and Intervention for Literacy Difficulties: Grades 3-12 Credits: 3
EDUC 0657 - Applying Linguistics to the Teaching of Literacy Credits: 3
EDUC 0662 - Contemporary and Historical Perspectives of Literacy Instruction Credits: 3
EDUG 0529 - Dyslexia: Foundation Knowledge, Assessment, and Instruction Credits: 3

Elective Course - 3 Credits

One 500-level or 600-level Education Elective Course (with advisement)

EDUC 0631 - Sheltered English Immersion Credits: 3 (required of candidates who were not previously endorsed for Sheltered English Immersion)

Practica - 6 Credits

EDUC 0645 - Practicum I: Clinical Experiences in Reading Elementary Credits: 3
or
EDUC 0646 - Practicum I: Clinical Experiences in Reading Secondary Credits: 3
EDUC 0623 - Practicum II: Reading Teacher: Literacy Leader and Coach Credits: 3

Additional Requirements

A passing score in the Reading Specialist MTEL, field 62, is required to advance to practicum. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in the graduate program.

Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of nine non-practicum courses within the Master’s program.

Students must satisfactorily complete program prerequisites as well as EDUC 0648 , EDUC 0656 , and EDUC 0657 before enrolling in Practicum I, and Practicum I is a prerequisite for Practicum II.