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Master of Education in Language Arts and Literacy, M.Ed.

Expand your contributions to education with an online Masters in Language Arts and Literacy. UMass Lowell’s M.Ed. is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

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Earn an Online Masters in Language Arts and Literacy

UMass Lowell’s 100% online Masters in Language Arts and Literacy enables experienced K-12 teachers to enhance their literacy knowledge and students' reading ability. The 10-course M.Ed. is offered through UMass Lowell’s School of Education. Candidates must hold an initial or professional teaching license, have at least one year of classroom teaching experience and currently work within a school system to complete the program’s required field experience.

Note: Massachusetts teachers with an initial teacher license should refer to Licensure Concentration for Massachusetts Teachers.

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Earn a Top-Ranked Master's for Under $15k

Complete in as little as 18 months

Complete in as little as 18 months

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No GRE Required

Career Outlook

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$91K/yr
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Best Online Education Program in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report
Ranked as the Best Online Graduate Education Program in New England

Important Information Regarding Licensure:

The online Masters in Language Arts and Literacy provides the professional knowledge required for the continuing education of experienced practitioners, but it does not lead to licensure. Candidates outside of Massachusetts who successfully complete the program must contact their state's Department of Education to determine licensing regulations, requirements and eligibility.

Learn More About UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Education Programs

Curriculum Outline

- Total Number of Courses Required: 10 (30 Credits)

Course Descriptions

EDUC.5102 Critical Literacies (3cr)

This course will address thinking, writing and talking about texts. It will examine the range of literacies including critical, print, technology, visual, media and informational. A special focus will be on anti-racist literature and texts of social justice.

EDUC.5201 Curriculum Planning Perspectives (3cr)

This course introduces students to historical and contemporary curriculum perspectives and assists students in developing their own curriculum perspective, situated within the scholarship. The course also helps students develop skill in curriculum planning, grounded in relevant scholarship.

EDUC.5220 Young Adult Literature (06.522) (3cr)

The major emphasis of the course will be discussion and analysis of the goals of a literature curriculum and the exploration of various methods for achieving these goals. The characteristics of the different genres of literature will be discussed in detail

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.5270 Language Acquisition (3cr)

This course will focus on the study of the acquisition of language and the relationship of language learning to the development of literacy. Students will examine both first and second language acquisition. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge of language acquisition to best teaching practices for enhancing first and second language development in the classroom and to the development of literacy.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.5280 Assessment of Reading and Language Disabilities (3cr)

This course examines the selection and use of procedures to make an adequate clinical and educational diagnosis. Includes the assessment of function and dysfunction in factors associated with language development; receptive, expressive, writing, reading; and the administration and interpretation of individual and group tests of perceptual, motor, and conceptual functioning in reading and language.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.5290 Treatment Reading and Language Disabilities (3cr)

This course will explore the specific practices in remedial teaching in grades K-12, using published materials, and developing new materials for small group, whole class, and tutoring settings. Students will develop and implement realistic corrective programs based on the interpretation of literacy assessments. These programs will include selecting strategies of instruction and materials, and establishing a framework of time and evaluation.

Requirements:

06.528 pre-req

EDUC.5410 Teaching Emergent Bilingual Students (3cr)

The purpose of this course is to prepare new secondary teacher candidates with the knowledge and skills to effectively shelter their content instruction, so that the growing population of English learners (ELs) in PK-12 schools can achieve academic success, and contribute their multilingual and multicultural resources. The course will provide aspiring teachers with practical research-based methods, strategies, and protocols to integrate subject area content, language, and literacy. Successful completion of this course provides SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) endorsement, which is required for teaching in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is a service learning course.

EDUC.5490 Theory and Research: Reading and Language (3cr)

A final course on the national and international research in reading and language and the pertinence and proposed implementation of research findings to instruction and the various roles of the reading supervisor or director.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.6100 Teaching Reading in Content Area (3cr)

This course presents the theoretical foundation and current best practices for content area reading, writing, and study skills. The focus is on motivation, cognition, memory, and verbal processing theories as they apply to methodology. Students learn to develop lessons and units that integrate reading and writing while covering concepts in the content areas.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.6101 Theories of Learning (3cr)

This course offers a detailed analysis of the major contemporary learning theories, both behavioral and cognitive.

EDUC.6204 Principles & Practices of Effective Literacy Programs (3cr)

Principles and Practices of Effective Literacy Programs examines the principles and practices that underpin evidence-based effective literacy programs. Participants will explore approaches for designing, implementing, and evaluating literacy initiatives that cater to the needs of diverse learners, including students with Special Needs and English Learners. Emphasis will be placed on the critical examination and analysis of programs, instructional methodologies, and teaching resources, drawing informed conclusions about the effectiveness of such programs to support reading instruction across various age groups and educational settings.

EDUC.6900 Action Research (3cr)

Action Research is the culminating course for all students who are in the M.Ed program in Curriculum and Instruction, including those in PK-12 classroom settings, those who are in the Autism Studies program, educators who are not currently in a classroom, and those who are in informal educational settings. Educators in this course will apply knowledge that they have learned during their coursework to an action research project plan for a classroom or small group setting.

Requirements:

Matriculated in M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction degree program.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Spring 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate

Online Education1 $470 $1,410
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to EDUC courses excluding 7000-level courses.

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

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Applying into a Graduate Degree Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
    • An application
    • An application fee ($50)
    • A statement of purpose
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • A resume
    • Proof of a valid teaching license in one of the following four areas: Elementary Education, Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities, Early Childhood Education or English as a Second Language
    • Official test scores
        • GRE not required
        • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
            • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
            • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
            • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
            • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
            • Pearson Test of English: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.000 GPA from an accredited institution
  • In addition, candidates must have at least one year of classroom teaching experience and be currently teaching in the area of their initial license

Additional Information

Information for Out-of-State Students

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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