Next Start Date: Earn an Online Masters in Reading and Language
UMass Lowell’s 100% online Masters in Reading and Language 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.
Earn a Top-Ranked Master's for Under $20k
One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation
No GRE Required
Career Outlook
Important Information Regarding Licensure:
The online Masters in Reading and Language 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.
Curriculum Outline
- Total Number of Courses Required: 10 (30 credits)
Foundations of Education (1 Course / 3cr)
- EDUC.6300 Educating Diverse Populations - Available Spring 2024!
Research and Evaluation (1 Course / 3cr)*
- EDUC.5413 Practitioner Action Research OR
- EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation
Specialization (6 Courses / 18cr)
- EDUC.6100 Teaching Reading in Content Area
- EDUC.5220 Young Adult Literature (06.522) - Available Spring 2024!
- EDUC.5270 Language Acquisition
- EDUC.5280 Assessment of Reading and Language Disabilities **
- EDUC.5290 Treatment Reading and Language Disabilities - Available Spring 2024!
- EDUC.5490 Theory and Research: Reading and Language
Electives (1 Course / 3cr)
- One elective with permission of advisor
Capstone (1 Course / 3cr)
- EDUC.6900 Action Research *** - Available Spring 2024!
* This course can be taken after 18 credits have been completed.
** EDUC.5280 is a prerequisite for EDUC.5290. These two courses are best taken in consecutive semesters and should not be taken as first courses in the program.
*** This course must be taken at the end of the program. It may be taken in conjunction with one other course.
Course Descriptions
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.5413 Practitioner Action Research (3cr)
This course examines how action research helps educators to learn to explore pressing classroom and school issues in systematic ways. Action research provide educators with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and skills as reflective practitioners, allowing them to contribute to the achievement of students and the improvement of schools.
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.6300 Educating Diverse Populations (3cr)
As the world becomes increasingly diverse, educators must be prepared to examine, confront, and manage the factors that affect the education of all children. This course addresses several central issues focusing on how teachers address the problems that confront students who differ from the majority population in language, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. Ensuring that their families and communities are actively involved in the educational process is also an important component of the course.
Requirements:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation (3cr)
Evaluation tasks will be identified and the policy issues attendant to evaluation will be examined. Students will identify and discuss several models of program evaluation, understand what needs to be considered and addressed in needs assessment, and learn to identify an appropriate design for a new evaluation. Students will be expected to conduct program evaluation, present their ideas and illustrate how evaluation results can be useful for program decision making.
Requirements:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
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 2024 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
|---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
| Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
| Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D. | $500 | $1,500 |
Additional Costs |
|
|---|---|
| Term Registration Fee | $30 |
| Late Fee | $50 |
| Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
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Admission Requirements
Successful applicants must submit proof of a valid teaching license in one of the following four areas:- Elementary Education
- Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities
- Early Childhood Education
- English as a Second Language
In addition, candidates must have at least one year of classroom teaching experience and be currently teach in the area of their initial license.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Graduate school application
- Application fee
- A brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received and any teaching experience and research conducted or published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two-page recommended maximum.
- Two letters of recommendation, including at least one from an administrator.
- All official transcripts. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate work.
- Resume, including an indication of the place and scope of current employment.
- Proof of valid teaching license in the appropriate field(s).
- F1 student visas are not issued for this program
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.
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!
