Teacher reads to students

Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Reading Specialist Specialization

The master's degree program in reading conforms to Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certification requirements for P-12 and is approved by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Graduates are qualified to work as reading specialists, literacy coaches and reading interventionists. Students completing this program receive the M.Ed. degree and, with successful completion of three years of classroom teaching experience, are eligible for certification from MSDE as reading specialists.   

The Reading Specialist program offers a hybrid instructional model and a sustained focus on equity and diversity. We offer flexibility in our graduate coursework through class sessions that are online/synchronous and face-to-face class sessions on campus. Our program emphasizes multiple approaches to equity, including best practices for multilingual learners; digital and technology literacies; multicultural literature; critical literacies; and culturally responsive approaches to assessment and instruction.

Students applying for admission to the program must have: (a) a 3.0 undergraduate GPA; (b) statement of purpose outlining their professional goals and objectives; (c) official transcripts; (d) 3 letters of recommendation; and (e) resume. In addition, three years of classroom teaching are required for Certification as a Reading Specialist by the Maryland State Department of Education. Applicants may complete this teaching requirement before, during, or after completion of the M.Ed. program. Applicants must be certified teachers with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. At least one basic course in reading is required for entrance into the program. Most students have such a course in their undergraduate record (i.e., reading methods). If no such course has been taken or if the course was taken more than five years ago, appropriate course offerings should be discussed with your advisor. 

For information on graduate admission please visit: https://gradschool.umd.edu/education/edci-med

Please refer to the Guide to Applying for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of  Frequently Asked Questions. International applicants should visit the International admissions webpage for additional information.

For questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies at tlpl-admissions@umd.edu or (301) 405-3118.

For questions related to the admissions process, prospective students may contact   Kay Moon, TLPL Graduate Coordinator, at (301) 405-3118 or kmoon@umd.edu.

For academic advising on the M.Ed. Reading Specialist program, please contact Dr. Ayanna Baccus at baccusa@umd.edu 

The faculty advisor assigned at the time of admissions to the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership (TLPL) provides academic advisement for graduate students. For TLPL advising information, please contact Kay Moon, TLPL Graduate Coordinator, at (301) 405-3118 or kmoon@umd.edu.

Financial assistance for graduate study is generally divided into two categories: 

  • Merit-Based Assistance and Need-Based Assistance  
    • Fellowships and Scholarships Loans  
    • Graduate Assistantships 

For more details about the various types of financial assistance offered by the campus please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid 

There are also a number of fellowships and scholarships offered through the College of Education, the University, and through external sources which may provide tuition support and/or living allowance. Students must apply for these awards on their own, but the links that follow provide valuable information on searching for fellowships and scholarships. 

For more information concerning fellowships and scholarships, please visit: 

The College of Education Financial Aid & Scholarship webpage

The University's Scholarships webpage, and 

The Graduate School Student Fellowships & Awards webpage

Course Requirements: 30 Credit Hours 

TLPL 644: Foundations of Reading and Literacy for Equity
TLPL 651: Literacy Leadership for Equity in Diverse Schools 
TLPL 652: Multicultural Materials and Methods for P-12 Readers
TLPL 653: Clinical Assessment in Reading and literacy in Diverse Settings
TLPL 654: Clinical Instruction in Reading and Literacy in Diverse Settings
TLPL 667:  Teaching Multilingual Learners--Culturally Sustaining & Translanguaging Practices
TLPL 690: Critical Literacies, Digital Technology, and Instruction for Diverse Classrooms
TLPL 691: Research Methods 
TLPL 733: Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading and Literacy Assessment in Diverse Settings (Summer only)  
TLPL 734: Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading and Literacy Instruction in Diverse School Settings (Summer only)  

Seminar Paper 
One seminar paper is required in the program. The seminar paper is usually a comprehensive review of the research literature on an important topic in the field of reading. The seminar paper is completed in TLPL 651 and requires the signature of the advisor and the course instructor.  

Summer Reading Clinic
The program includes a supervised clinic practicum (TLPL 733 Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Assessment and TLPL 734 Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Instruction). Candidates work in teams to provide small-group literacy instruction to children enrolled in the UMD Summer Reading Program. There is an emphasis on collaboration, diagnostic teaching, and progress monitoring. Candidates are supervised and evaluated by reading faculty and master teachers. 

Graduate Educations Programs Requirements

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Hobson’s online application’s helpdesk for any technical issues.  

For questions related to the admissions process, prospective students may contact  Kay Moon, TLPL Graduate Coordinator, at (301) 405-3118 or kmoon@umd.edu.

For Program-specific questions, prospective students may contact Dr. Ayanna Baccus at baccusa@umd.edu.

Priority Deadline for Fall 2024: April 15, 2024. 

Final Deadline for Fall 2024: July 9, 2024.

Please refer to the Graduate  School's application information.

Summer Reading Program

The UMD Summer Reading Program is a summer intervention program for children. Graduate students enrolled in the reading specialist program work in teams to provide intensive literacy
instruction to children in small groups. For information about the program and/or for a list of private reading tutors, please send an email to marylandreading@umd.edu or call 301-405-3324.

March 14 @ 6:30pm - Program Quick Facts Event "Flyer"

Reading Program Master Flyer

 

POLICY 

Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements. The Graduate Catalog is the official listing of Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland. The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules. 

HANDBOOKS 

The Graduate Student Life webpage provides information on academics, campus resources, finances, health, job opportunities, and information on how to get involved as a graduate student.   

FORMS 

Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process. Please refer to Steps Toward Graduation to determine the steps and forms that are required. To access forms used by graduate students visit the Graduate Studies Forms page in Student Services.