M.Ed. in Literacy - Reading Specialist Program
This program is designed for experienced classroom teachers looking to gain a strong foundation in reading and the development of leadership skills. In this program, you will prepare not only to meet the needs of struggling readers, but also to assume leadership positions within your school. This program is designed for the certified teacher who wishes to be certified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as a Reading Specialist. (NOTE: The MSDE requires three years of classroom experience to be certified as a reading specialist.) In order to receive the MSDE certification in Reading Specialist, you must first be certified in another area by MSDE. If you are not currently certified in Maryland, you will need to show certification from another state and demonstrate that you will receive certification in Maryland no later than six months after entering the program.
Degree Requirements
The Loyola Reading Specialist requires 39 credit hours.
Candidates should complete each block before proceeding to the next block. Courses within a block may be taken in any order unless otherwise stated. As a graduation requirement, candidates must take and earn a score of 158 or higher on the Praxis II: Reading Specialist #5301 during block 3.
| BLOCK 1 (12 credits) |
| RE 510 |
History and Foundations of Literacy Instruction (3) |
| RE 523 |
Elementary Literacy and Literature (3) |
| RE 531 |
Adolescent Literacy and Literature (3) |
| RE 605 |
Principles and Practices of Writing (3) |
| BLOCK 2 (12 credits) |
| RE 603 |
Language, Literacy, and Culture (3) |
| RE 609 |
Disciplinary Literacy (3) |
| RE 737 |
Literacy Assessments I. (3) |
| RE 740 |
Literacy Leadership (3) |
| BLOCK 3 (15 credits) |
| RE 670 |
Teacher Research and Inquiry (3) (Prerequisite: RE 737) |
| RE 739 |
Literacy Assessments II. (3) |
| RE 770 |
Literacy Education Seminar (3) (Prerequisites: RE 737, RE 670) |
| RE 756 School Year Practicum in Literacy (3) (Prerequisites: RE 737, RE 670, RE 739) |
| RE 757 |
School Year Practicum in Literacy (3) (Prerequisites: RE 737, RE 670, RE 739, RE 756) OR |
| RE 758 |
Summer Practicum in Literacy (6) (Prerequisites: RE 737, RE 670, RE 739) |
RE 770 should be the final course taken in the M.Ed. Literacy Reading Specialist Program
Additionally, during Block 3, candidates must earn a score of 158 or higher on the Praxis II: Reading Specialist (#5301) prior to graduation. It is recommended that candidates take the exam after completing Literacy Assessment I. (RE 737) and Literacy Assessments II. (RE 739).
Practicum
The Literacy Practicum is offered through the Loyola Clinical Centers (LCC). Graduate students (Reading Specialist Candidates) engage in the Literacy Scholars Program as part of the Reading Specialist Master’s Program at Loyola.
The Literacy Scholars Program offers thorough literacy assessment and instructional services for students in grades K-12. It also provides guidance for parents to support their children’s literacy development at home. Reading Specialist Candidates meet with individual students for 20 sessions during a concentrated summer session of approximately five weeks.
Reading Specialist Candidates are certified teachers who work under the supervision of the Loyola Literacy Faculty. The Reading Specialist Master’s Program is nationally recognized by the International Literacy Association.
Loyola Clinical Centers (LCC) serves families in the greater Baltimore area. All students in grades K-12 may apply although priority may be given to struggling students. Sliding scale fees are available for financial assistance. For more information, please review the LCC Website.
Statement on Certification
Students who are currently certified in the state of Maryland and who complete the Reading Specialist Concentration through Loyola University Maryland will be eligible for certification as a Reading Specialist through Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
If you are not currently certified in the state of Maryland, you will first need to transfer your current certification to the state of Maryland in order to be eligible for the RS certification through MSDE.
If you do wish to be certified in a state or district other than Maryland as a reading specialist, you will need to work with your state or district to determine eligibility steps.
Completion Time
The literacy education program may be taken full-time (to be completed in 18-24 months) or part-time (to be completed in 2-5 years).
Program Outcomes
This 39-credit program is designed for the certified teacher who wishes to be certified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) as a Reading Specialist. (NOTE: The MSDE requires three years of classroom experience to be certified as a reading specialist.) In order to receive the MSDE certification in Reading Specialist, you must first be certified in another area by MSDE. If you are not currently certified in Maryland, you will need to show certification from another state and demonstrate that you will receive certification in Maryland no later than six months after entering the program.