EDCI Reading Center

Master's Program in Reading Education

		The master's degree program in reading conforms with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certification requirements for K-12 and is approved by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Graduates are qualified to work as reading specialists and reading resource teachers. Students completing this program receive the M. Ed. degree and, with successful completion of three years of classroom teaching experience, are eligible for certification from MSDE as reading specialists.
	Candidates applying for admission to the program must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. In addition, three years of classroom teaching are required for Certification as a Reading Specialist by the Maryland State Department of Education. Applicants may complete this teaching requirement before, during, or after completion of the M. Ed. program. Applicants must be certified teachers with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. At least one basic course in reading is required for entrance into the program. Most students have such a course in their undergraduate record (i.e., reading methods). If no such course has been taken or if the course was taken more than five years ago, appropriate course offerings should be discussed with your advisor.

What are the program requirements? Required Coursework EDCI 660 – Foundations of Reading (Fall Only) EDCI 661 - Content Area Reading (Spring Only) EDCI 663 – Understanding, Evaluating and Using Research in School Reading Programs (Fall Only) EDCI 664 - Clinical Assessment in Reading (Fall Only) EDCI 665 - Clinical Instruction in Reading (Spring Only) EDCI 666 - Leadership in School-Wide Reading Programs (Spring Only) EDCI 667 – Multicultural Materials and Instruction for K-12 Readers (Spring Only) EDCI 761 - Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Assessment (Summer Only) EDCI 762 - Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Instruction (Summer Only) EDMS 645 - Quantitative Research Methods Elective: Students take one elective with their advisor’s advice. Seminar Paper One seminar paper is required in the program. The paper is completed as an independent project under the guidance of the advisor. The seminar paper is usually a comprehensive review of the research literature on an important topic in the field of reading. Summer Reading Program Unlike other programs in which tutoring a single child serves as the final practicum, the UM program culminates in a 6-week summer reading program (EDCI 761 & EDCI 762). During this program, teachers are given the unique opportunity to teach small groups of children in a classroom setting. The emphasis on diagnostic teaching to meet individual needs provides an authentic context for the professional development of the reading specialist. A second unique feature of the program is that teachers work in teams. Two teachers are assigned to each classroom so that planning, delivery of instruction and ongoing assessment are collaborative endeavors. Previous graduates have cited this opportunity for collaboration as a hallmark of the program. Comprehensive Examination Written comprehensive exams are required of all students. They consist of two, three-hour written essay examinations. During the exam, students are permitted to use a notebook which they have constructed as they have progressed through the program. The Master's Comprehensive Examination Handbook provides details about the exam and recommendations for preparation. What are the admissions criteria? (Click here for Graduate School admission requirements in the College of Education.) Required • graduate and undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended • three letters of recommendation • purpose statement Recommended Although not required, Reading Center faculty highly recommend that you submit a writing sample with your application. For Further Information You may request a catalog or application by visiting the Graduate School website, by calling 301-314-0376 or by writing to: Graduate School Admissions Office Room 2123 Lee Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742

What are the program requirements?