Literacy Education (M.Ed., Ed.S.)

About

Our 100% online graduate programs in Literacy Education provide practicing teachers and other professionals opportunities to explore vital issues related to reading and writing for individuals from birth to adulthood. Working with nationally and internationally recognized faculty who have a wealth of experience teaching and researching at the intersection of language and culture, our graduates emerge as strong advocates for literacy in their schools and communities. While Maine is a national leader in many measures of literacy achievement, changing global needs require continual examination and implementation of best practices. Our coursework balances theoretical and practical issues to inform literacy instruction and outcomes.  

We offer a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Literacy Education, which is designed for students interested in helping individuals develop strong reading and writing skills across the lifespan. Our master’s degree includes a Literacy Specialist concentration, which leads to eligibility to become a certified K-12 literacy specialist. We also offer an individually designed program, where students can choose a program that meets their professional and career goals, whether that’s working in schools or another setting, such as adult literacy programs.

Beyond the master’s level, our Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Literacy Education is a terminal degree providing a cohesive program of professional development for students interested in further honing their skills and knowledge in specific areas of literacy, language and culture.

Program Highlights

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus

Program Delivery

Both the M.Ed. and Ed.S. are offered entirely online. The flexible course load and various electives ensure you’re in control of the learning outcomes you need to achieve your goals and how you earn your degree. Students seeking the M.Ed. have two options:

  • M.Ed., Literacy Specialist: Leads to eligibility to become certified as a K-12 Literacy Specialist in Maine (Maine Department of Education 092 endorsement). This 36-credit program covers the collaborative nature of the literacy specialist and how this interventionist is key to supporting the literacy needs of schools. The curriculum includes courses in educational research, literacy and language development, linguistic diversity and multilingualism in the classroom, and intervention design for struggling readers.
  • M.Ed., Individually Designed: This 33-credit program offers some flexibility to educators interested in graduate study of literacy in K-12 schools and other community settings. Although it does not lead to certification or licensure, students can build a program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor and the program coordinator that meets their unique needs and interests.

The Ed.S. degree in Literacy Education requires 30 credits beyond a master’s and is individually designed with a faculty advisor to meet your career and professional goals. Candidates must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in professional education coursework at the 500- and/or 600-level at the University of Maine.

Certificates

In addition to our master’s and Ed.S. programs, we offer graduate certificates in Literacy Education that allow you to build knowledge and skills in focused areas to better serve the needs of PreK-12 students and other learners. If you don’t already have a graduate degree, you can apply the courses from a certificate toward an M.Ed. or Ed.S. should you choose to continue your studies. Our graduate certificates include:

Advising & Support

The College of Education and Human Development provides students with academic guidance and personal support before they set foot on campus through graduation and beyond. Our graduate students work with professional advisors from UMaineOnline as well as faculty advisors, who build genuine relationships and provide timely information to help you navigate your program, your work in schools and communities, and whatever else is on your plate.

Requirements

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor vehicula enim. Phasellus euismod sem eu lorem vulputate dignissim. Fusce commodo tempus ex, non varius.

Program Learning Outcomes

Our Literacy Education graduate programs are designed to help our graduates meet certain professional standards. Our student learning outcomes (SLOs) are adapted from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), a group of state education agencies and national educational organizations dedicated to the preparation, licensing and ongoing professional development of teachers.

Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Learning Differences: The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Application of Content: The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Assessment: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Careers

Schools and districts around the United States are in need of highly qualified teachers to address shortages and replace educators who retire or leave the profession for other reasons. Many school districts offer increased pay to teachers with a master’s degree. In addition, research has shown that educators with advanced degrees have better job satisfaction and are more likely to stay in the profession as they advance in their careers.

Alumni of our Literacy Education graduate programs are leaders in their schools and communities. Possible career paths include:

  • Literacy Specialists
  • Curriculum Coordinators
  • Literacy Coaches
  • K-12 Administrators
  • Nonprofit Leaders

For students wishing to continue on in graduate school, an M.Ed. provides an outstanding foundation for doctoral study in Literacy Education, as well as fields such as general education and educational leadership.

Literacy Education students sitting at a table with flash cards

At a Glance

College of Education & Human Development


Degree Level

Master

Degree Earned

Master of Education in Literacy Education

Education Specialist in Literacy Education

Mode of Study

Online

time to Complete Degree

33-36 Credits

College of Education & Human Development


Degree Level

Master

Degree Earned

Master of Education in Literacy Education

Education Specialist in Literacy Education

Mode of Study

Online

time to Complete Degree

33-36 Credits

Featured Courses

XXX 101

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor vehicula enim. Phasellus euismod sem eu lorem vulputate dignissim. Fusce commodo tempus ex, non varius.

XXX 101

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor vehicula enim. Phasellus euismod sem eu lorem vulputate dignissim. Fusce commodo tempus ex, non varius.

XXX 101

Research Learning Experience

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor.

Learn More about RLE Courses

Scholarships

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus.

Learn More about Scholarships

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Accreditation

The Literacy Specialist concentration in our M.Ed. in Literacy Education degree is a Maine Department of Education (MDOE) Pathway 1 approved program (MDOE endorsement 092). Contact Maine DOE for more information about certification and credentialing.

In addition, the College of Education and Human Development’s teacher preparation programs are nationally accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. CAEP accreditation is a seal of approval that assures quality in educator preparation and that our programs prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students and have the training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.

Contact

Education & Human Development

Shibles Hall

umaine.edu/edhd

P

661.544.8675

Admissions

Undergraduate

Estabrooke Hall, Room 115

go.umaine.edu

P

207.581.1561

F

207.581.1213

International

Chadbourne Hall, Room 122

go.umaine.edu/international-undergraduate-admissions/

P

207.581.3437

F

207.581.2920