Language & Literacy

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Academic Programs
General Education
* Special Education
- Moderate & Severe Disabilities
- Assistive Special Education Technology
- Language & Literacy Program in Reading
- Behavioral Education
- Administrator of SPED and Supervisor/Director
- Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis
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» Special education: Language & Literacy PROGRAM in Reading

The Language and Literacy program provides training for educators who teach learners with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia and other disorders that interfere with age-appropriate reading, writing, and expressive language skills. This research-based program incorporates multisensory structured language methodologies for use in both specialized and general education settings, with coursework, fieldwork, internship and a practicum experience that emphasize visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods designed to reach all learning styles. Courses address the five areas of reading instruction identified by the National Reading Panel: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Through research analysis and hands-on projects, students gain expertise in areas such as language development and disorders, assistive technology, reading assessment, teaching strategies, and curriculum adaptation. This 44-credit program includes mentored teaching internships, with training in literature and writing instruction, the Wilson Language System, consultation techniques, and program management and evaluation. The program also provides the opportunity to earn Massachusetts licensure as a reading specialist for an additional 12 credits. The nationally distinguished Language and Literacy Program Advisory Board includes reading experts Marilyn Adams, Rebecca Felton, Louisa Moats, Silvia Richardson, and Barbara Wilson.

Degree Options

Students may pursue a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) or a Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.), an advanced degree that provides students who currently hold a master’s degree with an area of educational specialization. Each program of study is individually designed in consultation with the program coordinator and can be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis. Courses are offered on weeknights, weekends, and occasionally as one-week sessions.