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Literacy Education

MSEd in Applied Literacy

The Master of Science in Education in Applied Literacy program provides an opportunity for MTL students to complete their master’s degree in a focused area (literacy). The program in Applied Literacy builds upon the curriculum and experiences of MTL and gives novice teachers increased skill in literacy instruction.

After completing initial teacher certification, MTL students can apply for admission to the Applied Literacy program. Although students may complete the 18 (elementary) to 21 (middle/secondary) credits required for the master’s degree in approximately one and a half years, students have five years from matriculation in MTL to complete the Applied Literacy degree.

Admissions Information for M.S.Ed in Applied Literacy

For more information about this program, please contact:

Laura O'Neill
Coordinator of Advising
loneill@usm.maine.edu
(207) 780-5056

Courses & Requirements

Elementary level (K-8) MTL students take 6 credits in literacy, EDU 565 and EDU 566, as part of the curriculum. Secondary level (7-12) MTL graduates complete 3 credits in literacy through EDU 514. At the end of the teacher preparation period, students have accumulated a total of 33 graduate credits, 3 to 6 of them in literacy, and have met the requirements for certification as classroom teachers.

Additional requirements to complete the M.S.Ed. in Applied Literacy:

 1. All Applied Literacy students (15 credits)

EDU  600 Research Methods
EDU  511 Children’s Literature or
EDU 513 Adolescent Literature
EDU  521 Digital Literacies and Education
EDU  639 Practicum in Literacy Instruction (6 credits)

 2. Additional requirement for K-8 teachers (3 credits)

EDU  514 Improving Teaching in the Content Areas through Literacy

 3. Additional requirements for 7-12 teachers (6 credits)

EDU  565 Teaching Reading or
EDU  620 Reading Development and Instruction
EDU  566 Introduction to Writing Process or
EDU  626 The Writing Process

Total: 51 to 54 credits, Master of Science in Education in Applied Literacy  (18 to 21 credits beyond initial teacher certification through MTL)

4. Additional coursework to obtain Maine certification as a K-12 Literacy Specialist (subject to change as needed to align with state certification standards)

EDU  607 Teacher Research in Literacy
EDU  621 Literacy Problems: Assessment and Instruction
EDU  634 Seminar in Literacy Research