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.
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.