Reading Specialization, M.S.
Program Director: Ellen Koitz, Ed.D. koitz@hood.edu; 301-696-3466
The Master of Science in Reading Specialization degree program provides the understanding and competencies necessary for the reading specialist certificate. Open to certificated teachers who will have three or more years of teaching experience by the time the master’s degree is conferred, it is directed to the reading needs of all school children (K-12). A supervised experience in a reading clinic is the capstone to a course sequence that provides both breadth and depth in reading specialization. Graduation from this program leads to Maryland certification as a reading specialist.
Unit Assessment Organization
The M.S. in Reading Specialization degree program is organized into three phases for the purpose of uniform performance data collection for Unit Assessment and the eventual improvement of the program.
Application Requirements
Students applying to the Reading Specialization program must submit one official transcript reflecting the highest degree conferred. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with the program director of the M.S. in Reading Specialization program based on the seven institutional outcomes (program expectations and requirements are explained to the applicant at this time). In addition, applicants must produce an acceptable writing sample during the interview process.
For additional admission information, see Graduate Admission.
Phase I: Advancement to Full Candidacy
Candidates enrolled in the M.S. in Reading Specialization degree program will be advanced to full candidacy based on the successful completion of the following:
1. Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the following three required courses and one additional reading course.
Acceptable SPA (Specialized Professional Association) performance activities will be submitted in these three classes.
| EDUC 502 | Technology for Literacy,Leadership & Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
2. Show evidence of taking a Processes and Acquisition of Reading course as an undergraduate or through an in-service course:
Based on the successful completion of the above requirements, candidates in the M.S. in Reading Specialization degree program are advanced to full candidacy and may continue to Phase II after receiving one of the following decisions: advance to candidacy; advance to candidacy on a conditional basis pending Alert Forms review and an overall review by the Reading Specialization Advisory Council. Denial of advancement to candidacy is based on review by the Reading Specialization Advisory Council.
Phase II: Midpoint Transition
Candidates enrolled in the M.S. in Reading Specialization degree program will be advanced to Phase III (Intensive Collaborative Practice) based on the successful completion of the following Phase II requirements:
1. Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the following courses (one was taken in Phase I)
Acceptable SPA performance activities will be required in these courses.
| EDUC 517 | Materials for Teaching Reading: Instruction & Methods | 3.0 |
| EDUC 518 | Reading Instruction:Elementary | 3.0 |
| EDUC 519 | Reading Instruction:Secondary | 3.0 |
| EDUC 520 | Reading Diagnosis | 3.0 |
| EDUC 529 | Literacy Leadership | 3.0 |
2. Pass comprehensive examination
| EDUC 523 | Reading Diagnosis & Prescription:Clinical | 3.0 |
Members of the Reading Specialization Advisory Council will review the above requirements in Phase II and any Alert Forms and advance the candidate to Phase III with one of the following decisions: Advancement to Phase III, Conditional Advancement to Phase III or Denial of Advancement to Phase III.
Phase III: Intensive Collaborative Practice
Candidates must successfully meet the following requirements:
1. Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the practicum courses.
Acceptable SPA performance activities will be required in these courses.
| EDUC 521 | Contemporary Issues in the Teaching of Reading | 3.0 |
| EDUC 524 | Advanced Clinical Reading Experiences: Elementary | 3.0 |
| EDUC 525 | Advanced Clinical Reading Experiences: Secondary | 3.0 |
2. Successful evaluation from the lead teachers and director of the practicum courses.
3. An Exit Folio is required.
Program Completion
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Receive a distinguished or proficient rating on the exit folio.
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Program survey one year after program completion.