Program Overview
The Curriculum and Instruction - Reading Specialist Specialization, Master of Education (M.Ed.) program will prepare you for a rewarding career in literacy education, as well as equip you to serve as a reading specialist, literacy coach and interventionist. The curriculum emphasizes equity and diversity, preparing you to address the needs of multilingual learners and incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices.
Upon completion of this program, you will receive an M.Ed. degree and, with successful completion of three years of classroom teaching experience, are eligible for certification from MSDE as a reading specialist.
Key Features
- Hybrid Instructional Model: Blend online and on-campus sessions for flexibility and accessibility.
- Equity and Diversity Focus: Explore best practices for multilingual learners, digital literacy, multicultural literature and culturally responsive instruction.
- Clinical Practicum Experience: Gain hands-on experience in assessment and instruction through the Summer Reading Clinic, collaborating with faculty and master teachers.
- Professional Development: Benefit from regular opportunities for collaboration, diagnostic teaching and progress monitoring under the guidance of experienced faculty and master teachers.
#11
Best Curriculum and Instruction program by U.S. News & World Report
Learning Goals
Learning Goals
- Implement effective reading and literacy instruction, assessment and intervention strategies.
- Lead literacy initiatives promoting equity in diverse educational settings.
- Utilize multicultural and multilingual materials and methods to enhance literacy education.
- Conduct clinical assessments and provide targeted literacy instruction tailored to diverse learners.
- Integrate digital and technology-enhanced literacy practices into your teaching.
Careers
Career Options
Graduates of this program are prepared for a range of careers, including:
- Reading Specialist
- Literacy Coach
- Reading Interventionist
- Curriculum Developer
- Educational Consultant
- Instructional Coordinator
How to Apply
How to Apply
General information on admissions and application can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website.
Admission Requirements Guide to Applying
Program Specific Requirements
- 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.)
“The College of Education stood out to me because of the core values it promotes such as leadership, responsibility and integrity. These are essential to set the example and spread a message of equity and inclusion in the classroom. I chose the college of education because it provides opportunities to transform the world of education.”
Requirements
Program Requirements
Our curriculum is designed to equip you with essential knowledge, skills, and experience in literacy education, emphasizing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- 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)
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.
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.
Contact
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Kay Moon
TLPL Graduate Coordinator
kmoon@umd.edu.
301-405-3118
For academic advising on the M.Ed. Reading Specialist program, please contact:
Dr. Ayanna Baccus
baccusa@umd.edu
This program 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).