M.Ed. in Literacy with Additional Reading/English Language Arts Specialist Endorsement (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, literacy coaches, Specialized Literacy Professionals, and/or Reading Interventionists.

Reading/English Language Arts Specialist (Pre-K-Grade 12)

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 three 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, Instruction, and Intervention in Reading Credits: 3 cr.
GED 606 - Literacy Development and Instruction in the Elementary Grades 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 - Multisensory Language-Based Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities 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 Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
GED 535 - Children’s Literature: Author and Illustrator Study Credits: 3 cr.

Courses in Writing or Book Arts

Select at least one of the following courses in Writing or Book Arts:

GED 595 - Launching and Developing the Writing Workshop in the Elementary Grades Credits: 3 cr.
GED 624 - The Art of the Book Credits: 3 cr.

To complete the M.Ed. in Literacy

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

GED 558 - Educator as Researcher Credits: 3 cr.
GED 699 - Capstone Seminar 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 Pre-K-6 Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
GED 530 - Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools Credits: 3 cr.
GED 580 - Approaches to Teaching Credits: 3 cr.
GED 669 - Oral Traditions and Literacy: Readers’ Theater, Poetry Slams and Storytelling Credits: 3 cr.
GED 678 - Heroes, Social Justice, and the Arts: Aesthetic Perspectives Credits: 3 cr.
GED 693 - Integrating Art, Social Studies, and Language Arts: Pre-K-6 Credits: 3 cr.