Master of Science in Education - Reading Specialist
William C. Diehl, Ph.D.
email: wdiehl@une.edu
Certificate Description
Success in today鈥檚 world depends on highly developed literacy skills where students need to be competent in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in order to be college and career ready. As a result of the high stakes of students鈥 literacy achievement, many school districts have looked to Reading Specialists/ Literacy Coaches to improve the literacy growth and success for all of their K-12 students. This program will prepare you to become certified as a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach in a K-12 setting. The program will prepare you to take a leadership role in you school and districts to support fellow educators in their goal of improving students鈥 literacy growth.
The goals of the CAGS program are to prepare students to:
- Administer schools in a humanistic, caring manner.
- Instill a sense of responsibility and ethical decision-making.
- Meet the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium Standards (ISLLC) to enable school educators to obtain administrative certification nationwide. The six ISLLC standards state that a school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by:
- Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
- Advocating, nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
- Ensuring management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
- Collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs and mobilizing community resources.
- Acting with integrity and in an ethical manner.
- Understanding, responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.
Accreditation
The CAGS program is approved by the Maine State Board of Education. All programs at the 91直播视频 are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is not accepted by the CAGS program, since the program has been developed holistically to meet the six ISLLC standards.
Grading
MINIMAL GRADE STANDARD AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (鈥淏鈥). Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Students receiving a grade of 鈥淔鈥 in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. A student receiving an 鈥淔鈥 must register and pass the failed course with a grade of 鈥淐鈥 or better before registering for any additional credits.
Curricular Requirements
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Reading Specialist curriculum consists of five 3-credit online courses. Each on-line course is ordinarily scheduled for 8 weeks, so a student has the ability to enroll in two courses each semester, one in term A and one in term B. A minimum of 15 credits must be taken to be awarded the certificate.
The 91直播视频's Reading Specialist curriculum is designed to apply as broadly as possible to requirements throughout the country, meeting basic ISLLC (Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium) standards. However, it is the responsibility of the candidate to confirm what course content is needed in the state in which certification is sought and to discuss with your advisor if alternative courses need to be accommodated.
Core courses |
EDU 600: Teacher as Leader EDU 610: Differentiation Theory and Strategies |
6 credits |
Current Literacy Courses in Concentration |
EDU 740: Supporting Development for All Learners EDU 741: Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools EDU 742: Content Area Literacy EDU 743: Connecting Reading and Writing for Success EDU 744: Meeting Student Literacy Challenges |
15 credits- Concentration courses |
Literacy Courses for Specialist Degree |
EDU 746: Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership EDU 749: Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I EDU 747-: Literacy for English Language Learners EDU 748: Literacy for Inclusion Settings EDU 750: Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II ** Must have Literacy for Inclusion for Maine certification |
15 credits Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach k-12
|
Learning Outcomes
After completing a CAGS program, students should be able to
- apply research results to leadership decisions
- describe the requirements of the ISLLC standards
- demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about school administration
- exhibit leadership skills in an actual school administrative settings
Academic Policy
Course Withdrawal Policy
The last date to withdraw from a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course. Students will receive a 鈥淲鈥 on their transcripts indicating withdrawal. Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty鈥檚 discretion, a 鈥淲P鈥 or 鈥淲F鈥 may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.
Dismissal from the Program
Termination from the Program will occur when the Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Education Department become aware of one of the following:
- Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
- Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)
- Serious reservations identified on the Professional Performance Student Self-Assessment and Review instrument.
- Academic failure (see 鈥淢inimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress鈥).
Timeline for Completion/Leave of Absence
A student who has not completed the MSEd Program within three (3) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission. Students are required to take a course every term, otherwise they must request a Leave of Absence, or be withdrawn from the program. Students may take a slightly reduced course load in any term if necessary. These arrangements are the responsibility of the student and must be communicated in writing to the graduate program coordinator.
Students may 鈥渟top out鈥 for one term, if necessary, and take an additional term to complete the program. The required Request for Leave of Absence form must be filed with the MSEd office and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences if this will be occurring. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is found in respective Financial Information sections of this catalog. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Dean's Office and the Education Department to indicate change of plans.
Re-admission
Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.
Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program.
Academic Honesty Policy
The 91直播视频 regards academic integrity as an essential component to the educational process. Charges of academic dishonesty will be handled through the dean of the appropriate college. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
It is expected that students will accurately and correctly document all academic resources. APA format is the required style for citing sources and establishing a bibliography.
Documented instances of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by 91直播视频administrators. Violation of the academic honesty policy will result in a grade of "F" being issued for the course involved. A student who has violated the academic honesty policy may also be dismissed from the program and the university.
Financial Information
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
FINANCIAL AID
Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the .
Graduation Requirements
To complete the program and receive a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Literacy (K - 12), you must:
- Complete 15 credits which is composed of five 3-credit on-line courses.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Pay all tuition and fees when due.
15 Credit Reading Specialist Certificate
Literacy Courses for Specialist Degree |
EDU 746: Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership EDU 747: Literacy for English Language Learners EDU 748: Literacy for Inclusion Settings EDU 749: Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I EDU 750: Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II |
15 credits Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach k-12
|
Admission Requirements for the Reading Specialist 15 Credit Certificate:
Pre-requisite requirements will be reviewed to ensure the literacy component has been met.
Admissions
Requirements for admission
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
- Minimum of one year teaching experience.
- Employed as a teacher or ability to access a classroom on a regular basis over an extended period of time.
- Strong writing skills, the capacity to succeed in a distance education format, and a commitment to educational change and professional development as evidenced by your goal statement submitted at the time of application.
91直播视频carefully assesses MSED applicants on the basis of evidence provided in all application materials submitted. Therefore, while a personal interview is not required, application materials submitted must be prepared thoroughly and thoughtfully for full consideration. Additional prerequisites to participate in one of the on-line Master of Science in Education programs include but may not be limited to:
- A sincere interest in continuing professional development as an educational leader.
- The potential to improve practice through application of new knowledge and skills.
- Current employment in an educational setting where you have regular access to an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
- The ability to pursue challenging online graduate study.
- Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web and effectively participate in an on-line program.
- Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection and with the hardware and software requirements described on the
- Motivation to complete all course assignments in a satisfactory and timely manner.
PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
- Applications for admission are accepted through UNE鈥檚 only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
- Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the Office of Online Worldwide Learning, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
- Students are admitted to the MSED program six (6) times a year: Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
- Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
- Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
- International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See .
- All applicants to 91直播视频must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. 91直播视频accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see English Proficiency requirement must be completed at the time of application.
For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the
advanced standing/transfer credit/experiential credit
No transfer credit, advanced standing status, or credit for experiential learning is accepted into the on-line MSED programs. Full participation in the MSED curriculum is necessary to achieve the desired integration of theory and practice the program provides.
Policy exceptions
The Master of Science in Education program and the MSED Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.