Master of Education in Literacy (Writing and the Teaching of Writing)

General Overview of M.Ed. in Literacy (Writing and the Teaching of Writing)

Online Graduate Studies with on-campus summer options

The Maine Writing Project of the College of Education and Human Development offers a unique opportunity to discover your potential as a writer and teacher of writing in our unique hybrid graduate program. With online courses during the academic year and on-campus summer options in Orono, students will complete a Master of Education in Literacy with a focus on Writing and the Teaching of Writing. We offer the following courses and institutes:

• Digital Writing
• Poetry
• Nonfiction
• Blogging
• Fiction
• National Writing Project Certification
• Writing Center Pedagogy
• Developing Online Learning Experiences
• Northeast Writing Institute
• Reading/Writing in the Common Core

You may take these courses and institutes individually or as part of our graduate program. Check out our website for information on gaining certification in the National Writing Project as a member of the Maine Writing Project. Visit MaineWritingProject.org (see Online Graduate Studies in Writing)

From the Dean of Education and Human Development:

“In order to develop graduates prepared to become leaders in their selected profession, we feel that they first need to become inspired, motivated learners. We are seeking students that are self-motivated, goal oriented learners who are truly inspired to become intellectuals themselves and we believe that we have the faculty and staff who can guide you along the journey. We hope to prepare our graduates to enter the profession ready to lead through service and action and poised to make a positive impact on children, youth, adults, families, communities, and schools. To reach this end our candidates will begin with inspiration and a commitment to developing the knowledge base to provide effective instruction and other educational services that will respond to the diverse needs of all learners. Developing this knowledge base is essential when learning to collaborate with others and to engage in ongoing professional development that will lead to engagement and transformative education.”

Program Requirements

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is intended to enhance the preparation of educational professionals in specialty areas. The degree is granted on completion of a planned program of study that includes a minimum of 33-60 semester hours, depending on the discipline. Those semester hours may include up to 6 hours of approved transfer coursework from a fully accredited college or university which would be acceptable at that institution in partial fulfillment of its requirements for a graduate degree, or up to 12 hours of approved transfer coursework from the University of Maine. In lieu of a thesis, M.Ed. programs require completion of a comprehensive paper, project, portfolio, or oral examination, generally during the final semester or year of study. The purpose of this requirement is to enable demonstration of learning that has taken place across the program as a whole. All work for the M.Ed. program must be completed within six years of matriculation.

This low-residency option for teachers emphasizes the teaching of writing in real and virtual contexts. The course of study is planned in consultation with a faculty advisor and includes online academic year courses and on-campus summer options. The program also includes an online practicum guided by a writing mentor.

Required Courses:

• EDU 580: Northeast Writing Institute
• EDU 580: Literacy Institute – Or – ERL 590: Maine Writing Project Summer Institute
• ERL 544: Digital Writing in Classrooms
• ERL 540: Writing in Schools & Colleges
• ERL 590: Seminar in Fiction
• ERL 590: Seminar in Crafting Story – Or – ERL 590: Seminar in Memoir
• ERL 698: Writing Practicum
• Plus additional electives

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Eligibility for admission to M.Ed. programs is based on completion of prerequisites for the specific program. Some PreK-12 programs require prior teacher certification. However, an applicant from another undergraduate program may establish eligibility by meeting essential prerequisites. In accordance with Graduate School regulations, all thesis candidates must take the Graduate Record Examination. Non-thesis candidates may take either the Miller Analogies Test or the GRE. Applicants should allow up to six weeks for scores to be sent to the Graduate School. When you are ready to apply, please first review the Application Instructions. Then, complete your online application. For additional information regarding admission into the program, please contact Dr. Rich Kent.

What can I do with an MEd in Literacy (Writing and the Teaching of Writing)?

Children need proficient reading skills in order to be successful in school. The level of reading skill required to fully participate in society continues to grow. This program is designed to enrich and expand the students’ understanding of the process of reading and to help educators become effective in the literacy needs of a wide range of learners.

With this degree, you may become a reading specialist or a literacy coach. In addition to regular classroom teaching, this degree prepares you for a career in Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, Special Ed or Remedial reading education, Adult Literacy and English as a Second language.

Literacy students become teachers and scholars. You’ll develop the skills that are required in educating students from different cultural backgrounds, economic situations, and educational backgrounds. Curriculum Design is another important area in literacy education.

As more and more immigrants come to the United States, the need for literacy education becomes increasingly important.

Duration

33 credit hours

Cost & Fees

• $418/cr. in-state and
• $523/cr. out-of-state

Miscellaneous

Fall / Spring / Summer

Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is a land, sea, and space grant institution and the flagship campus of the University of Maine System. Located in Orono along the banks of the Stillwater River, this vibrant and dynamic university serves Maine, the nation, and the world through its teaching, research, and outreach mission. UMaine students come from every county in Maine, more than 49 other states and 81 countries. UMaine offers more than 100-degree programs through which students can earn graduate certificates, master’s, doctoral or professional science master’s degrees. Opportunity for all members of the University of Maine community and its constituents is a cornerstone of our mission.

The University of Maine offers a strong traditional education at an affordable price. UMaine is one of New England’s premier universities. We help students create success stories — with a wide variety of programs and opportunities — and we do so with world-class faculty members, internationally recognized research, first-rate facilities, and a friendly, safe atmosphere located near some of the best year-round recreation sites in the nation.