Apply: MEd in Reading

MEd Reading, Specialist Teacher of Reading License

The MEd Reading, Specialist Teacher of Reading License program is designed for an experienced educator who hold an initial or professional teaching license and seek to deepen their expertise in reading instruction. Graduates may choose to serve as reading specialists at the early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, or post-secondary levels, or remain classroom teachers with advanced knowledge of literacy. This program is TEACH grant eligible.

MEd Reading, Curriculum and Instruction

The MEd Reading, Curriculum and Instruction program is designed for those interested in a master’s degree in reading to become skilled literacy practitioners, tutors, coaches, and/or literacy leaders in public school or community-based settings. A capstone experience is completed in lieu of a practicum. This program is TEACH grant eligible.

Licensure Only, Specialist Teacher of Reading

The Licensure-Only program is designed for experienced educators who already hold an initial or professional teaching license and an advanced degree and seek to earn the Massachusetts Specialist Teacher of Reading license only. This variable-credit program is intended for individuals who wish to deepen their expertise in reading instruction. Graduates may serve as reading specialists at the early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, or post-secondary levels, or continue as classroom teachers with advanced literacy knowledge.

Note this program is not eligible for the TEACH grant or financial aid.

Graduate Application Process

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Required Materials

$50 non-refundable application fee
Official transcript from all institutions attended with a minimum final grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in your bachelor's degree
- Completion of EDU 739 - Literacy Instruction and Assessment in the Early Childhood and Elementary Classroom with field experience, or an equivalent course
- The licensure-only reading program requires a transcript documenting an appropriate master's degree in education or related field, as evaluated by the reading program coordinator
- If you attended an institution outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation from one of our approved agencies is required.
- If your undergraduate final grade point average falls below the minimum stated, please contact Graduate Admissions.
Two references, professional and/or academic
Statement of purpose; appropriate length is about 500- to 1,000 words, or two to three pages double-spaced.
- Address what factors in your personal and professional history have influenced you in the past and now lead you to seek admission to this program at Salem State.
- Write about long-term professional goals, and how this program will help you meet them.
- Discuss any other information you think would help the admissions committee evaluate your application.
For individuals seeking specialist license*: copy of an initial or professional Massachusetts teaching license. Your license can be sent to gradadmissions@salemstate.edu.
English Proficiency, if applicable for international applicants

*To be eligible for a specialist teacher of reading license, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires a Massachusetts Initial or Professional license, at least one year of teaching experience on that license, and a passing score on the Reading Specialist MTEL.

Deadlines

Applications accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed once complete. View final deadlines on our “Graduate Application and Deadlines” page.

The master of education in reading specialist teacher of reading, the master of education in reading curriculum and instruction, and the licensure-only specialist teacher of reading programs do not support students in F or J status (accurate for the 2026-2027 academic year).

Contact the Center for International Education or Graduate Admissions with any questions.