Language Arts and Literacy

For students Fall 2026 and beyond.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree in Language Arts and Literacy is a 30 credit program designed to provide the necessary course work and practicum experience for Teacher of Reading Licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program is open only to teachers who work in Massachusetts schools and who hold either an initial or professional Massachusetts teaching license in Elementary Education, English Language Learners, Moderate Disabilities or Early Childhood Education.

Required Core Courses

All coursework must be completed before the Practicum.

Practicum/Seminar

Required total credits = 30

*This course can be taken after 18 credits and requires the permission of the Graduate Coordinator.

**Must be taken before EDUC.5290

***Practicum I must be taken before Practicum II

Important Licensure Information

Candidates who hold a current initial or professional Massachusetts license, complete all coursework, including the practicum in a Massachusetts school, and pass the Massachusetts Test of Educator License in Communication and Literacy Skills (01) and Reading Specialist (08) are eligible for Massachusetts licensure as a Reading Specialist.

Out-of-state candidates should apply to the M. Ed. program in Reading and Language Non-licensure concentration.

Updated 12/9/25

For students Fall 2026 and beyond.

The Master of Education (M.Ed) Degree in Language Arts and Literacy is a 30 credit program designed to meet the needs of experienced practitioners who wish to broaden and deepen their professional knowledge and to expand the contributions they can make to education. Candidates who seek to enroll in this degree program should hold a teaching license in Elementary Education, English Language Learners, Moderate Disabilities or Early Childhood Education and be employed as teacher in a public or private K-12 school setting.

Required Core Courses

Elective

Capstone

Total required credits = 30

*This course can be taken after 18 credits and requires the permission of the Graduate Coordinator.

**Must be taken before EDUC.5290

***This course must be taken at the end of the program. It may be taken in conjunction with one other course only.

Important Information

This program does NOT lead to licensure in any field. Instead, it provides the professional knowledge required for the continuing education of experienced practitioners. Candidates who complete the program successfully are awarded a Master of Education degree, but cannot be endorsed for licensure in Massachusetts or in their own state.

Updated 12/9/25

For students entering Fall 2026 and beyond.

This thirty (30) credit program is designed to meet the needs of experienced practitioners who already hold a M.Ed. in a field other than reading and language. The program is open only to teachers who work in Massachusetts schools and who hold either an initial or professional Massachusetts teaching license in Elementary Education, English Language Learners, Moderate Disabilities or Early Childhood Education. Candidate must have a minimum of 3 years teaching experience.

Required Core Courses

*EDUC.5280 is a prerequisite for EDUC.5290. These two are best taken in consecutive semesters.

Practicum

EDUC.5500 must be taken before EDUC.5511 and after all other course requirements have been met, although it is possible to take one course concurrent with the practicum each semester.

Total required credits = 30

Important Licensure Information

Candidates who hold a current initial or professional Massachusetts license, complete all coursework, including the practicum in a Massachusetts school, and pass the Massachusetts Test of Educator License in Communication and Literacy Skills (01) and Reading Specialist (08) are eligible for Massachusetts licensure as a Reading Specialist. Out-of-state candidates should apply to the M. Ed. program in Reading and Language Non-Licensure. concentration.

10/23/25

For students entering Fall 2026 and beyond.

This thirty (30) credit program is designed to meet the needs of experienced practitioners who already hold a M.Ed. in a field other than reading and language. The program is open only to teachers who work in Massachusetts schools and who hold either an initial or professional Massachusetts teaching license in Elementary Education, English Language Learners, Moderate Disabilities or Early Childhood Education. Candidate must have a minimum of 3 years teaching experience.

Required Core Courses

*EDUC.5280 is a prerequisite for EDUC.5290. These two are best taken in consecutive semesters.

Non-Licensure Option

Total Required Credits = 30 

Candidates undertake an in-depth study of issues pertinent to PK-12 education and develop a product to address these issues. Candidates must complete 24 credits prior to registering for the Ed.S. Seminar.

Important Licensure Information  - This program does NOT lead to licensure in any field. Instead, it provides the professional knowledge required for the continuing education of experienced practitioners. Candidates who complete the program successfully are awarded a Master of Education Degree, but cannot be endorsed for licensure in Massachusetts or in their own state.

Updated 10/24/25

Cost Per Credit
Online Education: $470
Online 7000-level Education: $655
 
Term Registration Fee: $30

Please see online tuition and fees for more information.

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

• Application:
  • Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
  • Summer 2026 - Spring 2027
• Application Fee: $50
• Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages).
• Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants. Criminal Justice, Master of Arts (M.A.): Letters of recommendation are optional.
• Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts are required if accepted.
• Test Scores: UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for Criminology and Criminal Justice and Global Studies doctoral programs. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is required for the Master of Music in Music Education. Scores are accepted but not required for other programs.
• Resume: The following programs require a resume for admission:
  • Master of Music Education
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Education programs (except Education Administration, M.Ed)
  • Education Specialist in Language Arts and Literacy
  • Ph.D. in Psychology applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume to highlight academic and professional achievements.
• Writing Sample: Education Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs only.
• Forms: Principal's Acknowledgement Form (pdf) for Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Education Administration, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (PK-12) only.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

Application Deadlines

• Global Studies Ph.D. and Psychology Ph.D.: January 15
• Criminology Ph.D.: February 1
• Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies: February 15
• Leadership in Schooling Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Applications are accepted from July – October 15.

International Applicants

Transcripts must show degree completion and include a credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, such as:

• Center for Educational Documentation (CED)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:  

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+ 
• TOEFL for Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. programs: 90+
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
• IELTS for Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. programs: 7+
• Duolingo: 115+
• ASC English: Level 6+
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+