Every summer, eager K-8 learners join our master’s students for an innovative literacy program. You won’t find this unique practicum experience anywhere else.

Practicum Experience: Summer Reading & Writing Workshop
As a graduate student in our online Master’s of Education (MSEd) degree program, you’ll benefit from a practicum experience that you won’t find in any other Literacy Education program. Our culminating practicum experience provides an opportunity for you to enhance and practice your literacy instruction skills.
You’ll work in-person or remotely with eager K-8 students who join us 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.
- Maine’s literacy specialist license (092): Completion of the practicum is a Maine-state requirement to be eligible for licensure as a Literacy Specialist.
What Our Alumni Say
“The University of Southern Maine (USM) practicum experience was so valuable to my teaching. Having a chance to try out different techniques alongside amazing coaches helped me grow as a literacy teacher. The course made me more reflective and purposeful in my conferring and student goal setting. It was also nice to work with students who are in grades that are out of my comfort zone.”
— Chelsea Haffenreffer ’19, MSEd in Literacy Education
“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

Interested in signing up your K-8 student?
Review information for parents of K-8 students below:
For over fifty years, the University of Southern Maine (USM) Literacy Education Summer Reading & Writing Workshop has offered a space for elementary and middle school students to practice their literacy skills. Our unique model pairs USM graduate students with K-8 students who would like to become better readers and writers. The workshop is held during the day for four weeks each summer.
Please Note: Course and workshop dates are determined, in part, by public school schedules. We have tentative dates for the beginning of the course and workshop, however these dates may change once we know when public schools will be closing.
Questions?
Contact Julie Marsh, Assistant Director of Outreach and Coordinator of the Summer Reading & Writing Workshop
Phone: (207) 780-5400
julie.marsh@maine.edu