Teacher and students in classroom

Literacy Practicum Experience:

As a graduate student in our online Master’s of Education (MSEd) degree program, you’ll benefit from our six-credit practicum experience. Our culminating practicum experience provides an opportunity for you to enhance and practice your literacy instruction skills.

You’ll work remotely with student(s) on your campus for an intensive reading and writing program aimed at improving their literacy skills. In addition to developing instructional and assessment practices, you’ll empower these learners by creating relationships, understanding their strengths, and illuminating the challenges they face. 

Our graduate students have varying backgrounds and professional objectives. The practicum experience is tailored to meet your unique goals and career plans. 

The six credit EDU 639 Practicum in Literacy Education includes both coursework and fieldwork. This culminating practicum experience requires a time commitment for both course work and field work.

Practicum Experience

  • Practicum runs fall, spring, and summer semesters
  • Course modality: Asynchronous (online asynchronous only)
  • Experience is on graduate students’ campus (we will partner with your principal and/or literacy coach)

University faculty provide guidance and support throughout the practicum experience. 

Before you begin the practicum, our faculty will work with you to set goals that are tailored to your career path. During the practicum you will:

  • Assess each student’s reading and writing strengths and challenges and set individual goals
  • Plan and provide reading and writing instruction
  • Support and motivate students to feel successful as readers and writers
  • Present and participate in professional development sessions
  • Work and learn with literacy coaches through observation, feedback, and one-on-one conferences
  • Maintain an online portfolio of your work that supports the International Literacy Association’s Professional Standards

What Our Alumni Say

“The practicum experience was beneficial because it prepared me, challenged me, and gave me confidence to pursue my goal of becoming a future literacy coach.” 

— Kiely Treschitta ’20, MSEd in Literacy Education  

“This summer practicum is so much more than teaching summer school; it offers professional educators the opportunity to do some deep thinking about their practices and reflect on what will best allow all students to do the work necessary to promote their own learning.”

— Kellie Hooper-Bressler ’17, MSEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages


Questions?

Contact Mindy Butler, Assistant Professor and Department Chair

207 780-5070

melinda.butler@maine.edu