Master's Program in Reading Education 
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 should be completed in the following order.
EDCI 660 - Diagnostic Reading Instruction (Fall Only)
EDCI 661 - Content Area Reading (Spring Only)
EDMS 645 - Quantitative Research Methods I
EDCI 663 - Issues in Reading Education (Seminar Paper #1) (Fall Only)
EDCI 666 - Leadership in School-Wide Reading Programs (Spring Only)
EDCI 798 - Special Topics in Education (Seminar Paper #2) (Independent Study)
EDCI 664 - Clinical Assessment in Reading (Fall Only)
EDCI 665 - Clinical Instruction in Reading (Spring Only)
EDCI 761 - Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Assessment (Summer Only)
EDCI 762 - Advanced Clinical Practices in Reading Instruction (Summer Only)
Electives: Students take two electives with their advisors' advice.
Seminar Papers
Two seminar papers are required in the program. The first paper is written as an assignment in EDCI 663. The second paper is completed as an independent study project under the guidance of the advisor. (The student must register for 3 credits of EDCI 798.) The seminar paper is usually a comprehensive review of the research literature on an important topic in the field of reading. Students have the option of doing an action research project for the second seminar paper. EDMS 646 may be substituted for the second seminar paper with the approval of the advisor.
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 (5 weeks for
children) 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)
What are the admissions procedures ?
Requirements for admission include the following:
- graduate and undergraduate transcripts for all institutions attended
- three letters of recommendation
- purpose statement
You may request a catalog or application by visiting the Graduate School website, by calling 301-314-9034 or by writing to:
Graduate School Admissions Office
Room 2117 Lee Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
College Park • Maryland • 20742 • 301-405-EDCI (3324) • Website maintained by Sei-Hwa Jung
Last Modified Mar. 10, 2005