Live Chat with an Advisor!

Curriculum and Program of Study

Program Coordinator: Dr. Dennise M. Maslakowski, e-mail: forgrad@plymouth.edu
Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies; Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award 2000
B.A., M.A., Incarnate Word College; Ed.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The Reading and Writing Specialist program offers a broad range of courses and experiences in K-12 literacy instruction and K–16 leadership. The program is designed for classroom teachers, reading teachers, special education teachers and other educators interested in the improvement of teaching practices that support literacy development.

The role of the Reading and Writing Specialist is to provide specialized instruction in reading and writing, conduct literacy assessments in cooperation with other professionals and aid in the diagnosis of struggling students at the early childhood, elementary, middle and high school levels. Coursework focuses on teaching strategies, diagnostic testing, current literacy research and meeting the needs of struggling learners.

Candidates for the master's degree program must also complete the education core courses, which focus on diversity, philosophy and research. Candidates for professional certification or the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) program must possess a master's degree in order to apply for admission. Programs of study are created on an individual basis for each candidate based on previously completed coursework and experience. Graduates of this degree program who possess at least two years of K-12 teaching experience are eligible for certification as a Reading and Writing Specialist (with appropriate coursework) in the state of New Hampshire. Reciprocity through interstate compacts extends this certification to many additional states.

Opportunities for CAGS students to participate in doctoral partnerships are available through articulation agreements with Argosy University and Franklin Pierce University.

Required Courses

Master's Core Component
ED 5010 Philosophy, Ethics, and Education - 3 credits
ED 5000 Social Behavior in a Diverse Society - 3 credits
EN 5000 Research in Writing - 3 credits
– OR –
ED 5030 Research Design - 3 credits
ED 5060 Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development - 3 credits

Specialization Component
RL 5110 Issues and Trends in Reading and Writing - 3 credits
RL 5170 Reading and Writing in the Content Area - 3 credits
RL 5300 Advanced Children's/ Young Adult Literature - 3 credits
RL 5710 Advanced Diagnostic Testing and the Improvement of Reading and Writing - 3 credits
RL 5760 Linguistic Principles and Methods of Teaching English as a Second or Other Language - 3 credits
RL 5770 Developing Language and Literacy in Early Childhood - 3 credits

Capstone Experience
RL 5820 Practicum in Reading and Writing - 3 credits
RL 5830 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis and Remedial Reading - 3 credits

Total for M.Ed. in Reading and Writing Specialist - 36 credits