M.Ed. Concentration in Literacy and Language

College of Education - Department of Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) 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, English, or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities to meet the requirements for Professional Licensure in Elementary, Early Childhood Education, English, or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. The additional supervised practicum is not required for candidates seeking Professional License in these four (4) fields.

The licensure program also conforms to the Standards for Reading Professionals as developed by the International Literacy Association. These standards were approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Program Requirements

This program 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 six-to-eight weeks prior to the oral comprehensive exam.

Candidates seeking the Initial License as a Specialist Teacher: Reading will need a 150-hour supervised practicum. The practicum is taken only after successful completion of 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 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 University.

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

Education Core Courses (3)

  • EDUC 991 Philosophy of Education and Teaching Practice
  • EDUC 998 Language Developments and Communication
  • EDUC 999 Research and Evaluation (recommended after completion of three Concentration courses)*

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

Concentration Courses (6)

  • LTRC 900 Research and Practice in Reading
  • LTRC 901 Integrating the Language Arts (suggested first course in concentration)
  • LTRC 902 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
  • LTRC 903 Assessment for Learning Styles and Strategies
  • LTRC 910 Leadership and Consultation in the Language Arts
  • LTRC 926 Teaching the Writing the Process

Children's Literature Course (1)

  • ENGL 930 Workshop in Children’s Literature

The above 10-course program in Literacy and Language enables candidates holding an Initial License in Elementary, Early Childhood, English, or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities to meet the requirements for Professional Licensure in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, English, or Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities. The additional supervised practicum (below) is not required for candidates seeking Professional License in these four fields.

 

Required Practicum for students seeking Initial Licensure as a Specialist Teacher: Reading

  • LTRC 952 Practicum in Literacy and Language with Seminar

or

  • LTRC 988 Practicum in Reading Enrichment with Seminar                    

 

Per the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), candidates seeking Initial Licensure as a Specialist Teacher: Reading must obtain the Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) endorsement in one of the following ways:

  • Complete an undergraduate program that includes an approved Sheltered English Immersion course.
  • Complete the DESE approved Sheltered English Immersion course through a school district.
  • Complete the DESE approved Framingham State University course, TESL 910 Sheltered English Immersion.
  • Complete a DESE approved Sheltered English Immersion course through another licensure program.
  • Earn a passing score on the Sheltered English Immersion 056 Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

 

Admission Requirements

The applicant must:

  • Complete the online graduate admission application
  • Submit the $50.00 application fee
  • Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Have an Initial Teaching License.
  • Have a minimum undergraduate quality point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University’s Graduate Admissions office by the recommender. One letter must be from an employer or supervisor, and the other must be from a faculty member who has taught the candidate at collegiate level if the candidate attended classes in the last five years;
  • Submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal education, current job responsibilities, and career plans.

 

Effective as of the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog