M.Ed. Literacy Concentration with the Optional Endorsement as a Reading/English Language Arts Specialist (Pre-K-Grade 12)

Literacy Concentration Information

The goal of the Literacy concentration is to help educators better meet the reading/language arts needs of today’s diverse students while simultaneously becoming leaders in their schools, districts, and beyond. Courses in literacy development, instruction, assessment, and intervention, as well as a job-embedded practicum and leadership experiences, provide the foundation that allows teachers to grow into roles such as reading/English language arts specialists and teacher-leaders, literacy coaches, and/or reading interventionists.

Reading/English Language Arts Specialist Endorsement Program

Students who complete our state-approved endorsement program will be recommended for the Reading/English Language Arts Specialist endorsement (Pre-K-Grade 12). This program requires 21 credits in literacy-related coursework including GED 688D, the Reading Specialist Practicum. To be eligible for this practicum, students must:

Hold a Vermont teaching license
Successfully complete all required literacy coursework with a “B” or better
Pass Praxis II - Reading Specialist
Document 3 years teaching experience

Required Courses for the Endorsement Program

GED 510 - Becoming a Literacy Leader: Tools and Strategies for Success Credits: 3
GED 534 - Literacy Assessment and Instruction Credits: 3 cr.
GED 606 - Literacy Development and Instruction Pre-K-Grade 8 Credits: 3 cr.
GED 640 - Language and Learning Credits: 3 cr.
GED 688D - Reading Specialist Practicum Credits: 3 cr.

Courses in specialized instruction for readers who struggle

In consultation with your advisor, select one of the following courses in specialized instruction for readers who struggle.

GED 607 - Literacy Instruction for Struggling Adolescent Readers: Intervention and Instruction Credits: 3 cr.
GED 643 - Instruction of K-6 Students with Learning Challenges in Language Arts Credits: 3 cr.

Courses in literature for children and young adults

Select one of the following courses in literature for children and young adults:

GED 517 - Teaching Nonfiction in the Elementary Grades Credits: 3 cr.
GED 535 - Children’s Literature: Author and Illustrator Study Credits: 3 cr.

To complete the M.Ed. in Literacy

To complete the M.Ed. in Literacy, students will select nine additional credits in electives in addition to these two required courses.

GED 558 - Educator as Researcher Credits: 3 cr.
GED 699 - Capstone Seminar in Graduate Education Credits: 3 cr.

Popular electives for students in the Literacy concentration

GED 510 - Becoming a Literacy Leader: Tools and Strategies for Success Credits: 3
GED 522 - Teaching Literacy in the Elementary Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
GED 530 - Literacy in the Middle and Secondary Schools Credits: 3 cr.
GED 578 - Visual Learning: Words into Pictures Credits: 3 cr.
GED 580 - Approaches to Teaching the Humanities Credits: 2 cr.
GED 667 - Words Come Alive!: Drama in the Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
GED 669 - Storytelling, Poetry-Reciting, and Reader’s Theater Credits: 3 cr.
GED 670 - Bringing Language Arts and Social Studies to Life with the Arts Credits: 3 cr.
GED 678 - Heroes, the Arts, and Social Justice: Aesthetic Perspectives Credits: 3 cr.
GED 693 - Integrating Art, Social Studies and Language Arts: K-8 Credits: 3 cr.

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