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Master of Education in Reading and Language, M.Ed.

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

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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.

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Earn a Top-Ranked Master's for Under $20k

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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No GRE Required

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

Career Outlook

582,136
Jobs (2020)
+10.3%
% Change (2020-2021)
91K/yr
Median Earnings
112,362
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2022
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 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.

Learn More About UMass Lowell's Online Graduate Education Programs

Curriculum Outline

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

Foundations of Education (1 Course / 3cr)

Research and Evaluation (1 Course / 3cr)*

  • EDUC.5413 Practitioner Action Research OR
    • OR
  • EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation

Specialization (6 Courses / 18cr)

Electives (1 Course / 3cr)

  • One elective with permission of advisor

Capstone (1 Course / 3cr)

* 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

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 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

06.528 pre-req

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

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

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Spring 2023 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online Education $470 $1,410
Graduate Online Education Courses in the Ed.D. and Ph.D.**** $495 $1,485
*If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.
**Applies to ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST and POMS courses.
***Applies to CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS and MSIT courses.
****Applies to graduate online education courses in the Ed.D. and Ph.D.

Additional Costs
Term Registration Fee $30
Late Fee $50
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Program Support:
Contact: Lizzie Linn Casanave
Email: lizzie_casanave@uml.edu
Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. 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.

Admission Requirements

You must hold a master's degree in education from an accredited college or university or a degree in a closely related field of study, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for admission to this program. Also, you should have at least three years of full-time experience in a K-12 school or a related setting. Complete admission requirements can be found at Graduate Admissions, which include:

  • Online application and fee
  • Two-page statement in which you describe your educational philosophy and reasons for seeking entry to the degree
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Proof of professional teaching status
  • All official transcripts
  • TOEFL scores, if appropriate

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.

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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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