Master of Education (MEd) in Reading - Curriculum
This program is designed for an experienced educator who holds an initial classroom teaching license and who wants to serve schools as a teacher of reading at the early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary or post-secondary levels or who wants to remain a classroom teacher with expertise in reading. Graduates of this program may be endorsed by Salem State for state licensure as a teacher of reading. Early childhood, special education, ESL, and elementary classroom teachers who are pursuing professional licensure in their field may use this program to help them qualify and apply on their own to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MDESE) for the professional license in early childhood, special education, ESL or elementary education.
Courses in the program will help students develop an understanding of reading and writing processes, enhance classroom reading instruction, assess reading difficulties and intervene instructionally, use literature in reading and language arts programs, and carry out teacher leadership roles in reading. One hundred and fifty hours of supervised field work are required of those pursuing the Specialist Teacher of Reading license. The program meets MDESE regulations for initial licensure as a Specialist Teacher of Reading and is fully accredited by NCATE and the International Reading Association. Students may select from three program options: MEd with licensure (36 credit hours); licensure only (30 credit hours) and the MEd without licensure (36 credit hours). For more information about these options, please contact the program coordinator.
- Learn more about MEd in Reading program requirements from the flowsheet.
- Learn more about MEd in Reading comprehensive exams
Fieldwork plays an integral role, of which both the pre-practicum and practicum classes are components. You will complete 150 hours of supervised fieldwork, as part of the practicum, in two courses: Instructional Reading Clinic with Children (an intensive 6-week summer course) and Teacher Leadership Roles in Reading at the School Level.
- Learn more about our fieldwork requirements
- Application for Alternative Spring Practicum
- Pre-Practicum Forms
Students pursuing the M.Ed. without licensure as a reading specialist may substitute two approved literacy electives in lieu of the Instructional Reading Clinic and one approved literacy elective in lieu of the course EDU 845: Teacher Leadership. Students electing this option must meet with the program coordinator to select the electives and complete the required course substitution forms.
- List of recommended electives for those pursuing the MEd without licensure
Finally, please remember if you are seeking an initial license as a specialist teacher of reading but not a master's degree, please visit our Licensure Only in Reading page.