Reading Specialist, Initial Licensure Concentration, Special Education, M.Ed.

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Graduate Program Chair

Dustin Halterman, Ed.D

MEd—Special Education

Graduate Committee

Lyndsey Benharris, PhD, Co-chair

Robert Shapiro, PhD, BCBA-D

Karen DeAngelis, PhD

Dustin Halterman, ED.D

Nermin Bayazit, PhD

Margaret O’Hearn-Curran, PhD

Program Description

The Education Department has developed a variety of innovative master’s programs to meet special education teacher candidate and PreK-12 district needs.

The MEd in Special Education programs are designed to prepare candidates for careers in teaching students with disabilities. The degree offers students preparation in one of four program areas:

Teacher of students with moderate disabilities: PreK-8 or 5-12 (Initial Licensure)
Teacher of students with severe disabilities, all levels: (Initial Licensure)
Reading Specialist (Initial Licensure), CAGS degree, M.Ed Initial Licensure and Non-licensure concentrations and Initial Licensure Certificate
Guided Studies (Professional Licensure, Individualized Concentration, and Individualized Concentration/Dyslexia Specialist)

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in a Master of Education in Special Education Program leading to initial licensure, a student must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section, as well as:

Applicants to graduate initial licensure teacher preparation programs must successfully complete the literacy and communication subtests of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and submit passing scores as part of their application.
In addition, while students can complete their program and be endorsed for licensure without passing their content MTEL’s, they will not receive their license from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education until all required MTELs are passed. This content policy is only valid through the Spring 2026. The content MTEL’s are as follows:
- Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)—Foundations of Reading Test; General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering);
- Moderate Disabilities (5-12)—Foundations of Reading Test; General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering) or a content specific test (e.g. English, History, Math, Science)
- Severe Disabilities (All)—General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering)
- Reading Specialist (All)—Reading Specialist

For the most current information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at (978) 665-3239

Personal Statement

Students must complete an essay of no more than one page in response to one of the following questions/statement:

Tell about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.

Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
What did you do in that particular situation?
How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
How do you feel about the situation now?
What would you change, if anything?

Program Requirements

Students interested in the master’s program may be required to take prerequisite courses depending on their previous course work and/or teaching certificate(s).

Prerequisite courses may include:

Course in Child Psychology or Human Growth and Development (any level)

Be sure to check with your advisor to determine appropriate prerequisite courses.

Reading Specialist

Program Description

This program provides students with a specialized body of knowledge in reading. The program defines the knowledge and skills necessary for effective assessment, instruction and leadership in the field of reading. The program is responding to the needs of school districts by preparing specialists in leadership roles, as well as equipping candidates with the requisite knowledge to meet the needs of students with a wide range of abilities.

The Reading Specialist Program provides candidates who hold initial licenses in a related teaching area with a rigorous, research based curriculum, as well as a range of assessment, teaching and staff development opportunities.

This program has been approved by CAEP, the International Literacy Association, and by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Program Prerequisites

Literature for Children or Young Adults (or equivalent)
Child Growth and Development (or equivalent)
Principles and Practices of Teaching Reading (or equivalent)
An initial teaching license as outlined above

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates gain knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and research-based practices related to the development of literacy and language. An emphasis is placed on scientifically based reading instruction.
Candidates develop expertise in analyzing and adapting curricula to support the literacy needs of all learners. This includes listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Candidates develop proficiency in the assessment of student literacy achievement using a range of formative, summative and normative assessments.
Candidates are able to evaluate the technical adequacy and cultural appropriateness of specific instruments used for screening, progress monitoring and diagnosis.
Candidates analyze assessment data to effectively communicate results to a variety of stakeholders and to develop literacy instruction for a broad range of learners.
Candidates create inclusive classrooms, advocate for equity and affirm students’ identities through experiences that encourage scholarship in the areas of diversity and equity.
Candidates develop competency in a variety of instructional strategies using print and digital materials to motivate and engage all learners.
Candidates develop the leadership skills necessary to facilitate ongoing school and district literacy initiatives and to promote professional development activities.

Adapted from Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals (2017). International Literacy Association

MEd in Special Education: Reading Specialist (Initial Licensure)

This track prepares candidates for Reading Specialist licensure. Initial licensure in early childhood, elementary, middle school or special education is required for entry into this track. In order to receive the initial license, Reading Specialist candidates must have taught for a minimum of one year under their initial license.

Required Courses

Total for degree 36 cr.

Note: Students who have completed the Reading Specialist Initial Licensure program who are interested in obtaining a license in Moderate Disabilities (PK-8) should contact Dr. Nancy Murray.

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course

Prior to completion of the program of study, initial licensure candidates are required to take the Fitchburg State University DESE-approved SEI course, if needed, in order to be endorsed for licensure. Please note that SEI endorsement occurs following the completion of the program, not before. Please note that the DESE requires that the SEI course include at least 30 contact hours face-to-face to meet their requirements.