Appendix A: Programs of Study

Certificate of Advanced Study Literacy and Language

Graduate Certificate Literacy & Language

Programs of Study

 

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

 

 

 

The following tables include the courses for each certificate. Table 1 shows the courses required for the Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language (CAS). Tables 2 and 3 show the two course plan options for the Graduate Certificate in Literacy and Language.

 

Table 1. Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language (CAS). This is the only program available for licensure endorsement in MA. This program is also IDA accredited.

 

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

CD-823-DL

Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders

2

CD-824A-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders I

1

CD-824B-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders II

2

CD-825-DL

Reading and Writing in the Schools

3

CD-826-DL

Leading Literacy Change

1

CD-827-DL

Teaching Narrative and Expository Literacy

2

CD-828-DL

Teaching Language and Literacy to English Language Learners (synchronous)

2

CD-879A-DL

Structured Literacy Seminar

2

CD-879B

Structured Literacy Practicum (on campus)

2

CD-882

School-Based Reading Practicum for CAS program

3

Total Credits

20



Table 2. Graduate Certificate in Literacy and Language- Option 1 (15-credit program with practicum) This program is IDA accredited.

 

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

CD-823-DL

Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders

2

CD-824A-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders I

1

CD-824B-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders II

2

CD-825-DL

Reading and Writing in the Schools

3

CD-827-DL

Teaching Narrative and Expository Literacy

2

CD-879 CA

Structured Literacy Practicum I (remote)

3

CD-879 CB

Structured Literacy Practicum II (remote)

2

Total Credits

15

 

Table 3. Graduate Certificate in Literacy and Language- Option 2 (15-credit program without practicum) This program is NOT IDA accredited.

 

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

CD-823-DL

Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders

2

CD-824A-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders I

1

CD-824B-DL

Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading / Writing Disorders II

2

CD-825-DL

Reading and Writing in the Schools

3

CD-826-DL

Leading Literacy Change

1

CD-827-DL

Teaching Narrative and Expository Literacy

2

CD-828-DL

Teaching Language and Literacy to English Language Learners (synchronous)

2

CD-879A-DL

Structured Literacy Seminar

2

Total Credits

15

 

 

Course Offerings by Semester

Fall Semester

 

CD 823-DL Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders

CD 824A/B-DL Diagnostic Methods and Clinical Processes in Reading and Writing Disorders I and II (must be taken in the same semester)

CD 879 CA Structured Literacy Practicum I (remote) *Not available in 20 credit CAS program

CD-882 School-based Reading Practicum- can be taken following completion of 18 credits of coursework and 25 pre-practicum observation hours of a MA licensed Reading Specialist. Practicum requires supervision by a MA licensed Reading Specialist with at least three years of experience.

 

 

Spring Semester

 

CD 825 DL Reading and Writing in the Schools

CD 827 DL Teaching Narrative and Expository Literacy

CD 879 CB Structured Literacy Practicum II (remote) *Not available in 20 credit CAS program

CD-882 School-based Reading Practicum- can be taken following completion of 18 credits of coursework and 25 pre-practicum observation hours of a MA licensed Reading Specialist. Practicum requires supervision by a MA licensed Reading Specialist with at least three years of experience.

 

Summer Semester

 

CD 823-DL Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders

CD 826-DL Leading Literacy Change

CD 828-DL Teaching Language and Literacy to English Language Learners (online, synchronous)

CD 879 A-DL Structured Literacy Seminar

CD 879 B Structured Literacy Practicum (on campus)

Note: CD 879A and B must be taken in the same semester

 

 

Course Descriptions (DL=online):

 

CD-823 DL Foundations of Literacy Development and Disorders                                                             

Prerequisites: None. 

Credits: 2

This course focuses on typical spoken and written language development and frequently encountered oral language, reading, and writing disorders of childhood. Principles, methods, and techniques of diagnosis and remediation are evaluated.

 

CD-824A – DL Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading and Writing Disorders

Prerequisites: CD 823 (may take concurrently)

Credits: 1

This course presents the principles of basic psychometrics, models of diagnosis, assessment philosophy, and fundamental concepts of clinical measurement. Students are introduced to varied types of assessment measures, including both formal, informal, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurements.

 

CD-824B – DL Diagnostic Methods & Clinical Processes in Reading and Writing Disorders

Prerequisites: CD 824 A

Credits: 2

Students will learn how to analyze cognitive and linguistic assessment measures using an information-processing model of task analysis. They will gain knowledge of varied purposes for assessment and learn how to analyze and interpret developmental cognitive assessment data, write reports, and summarize diagnostic data for parents and professionals

 

CD-825- DL Reading and Writing in the Schools

Prerequisites: CD 823

Credits: 3

This course is designed to address issues relevant to teaching reading and writing in the schools (K-12). Topics include analysis of scientifically based research on reading, an overview of reading philosophies, implementation of data-driven differentiated instruction, and reading and writing across the curriculum.

 

CD-826 – DL Leading Literacy Change

Prerequisites: None

Credits: 1

This course investigates the roles of reading specialists, issues related to consulting and whole school change, and the use of formative assessments to drive instruction. Its focus is on professional development and in-service education to support classroom teachers and tutors in their efforts to improve reading and writing instruction.

 

CD-827– DL Teaching Narrative and Expository Literacy

Prerequisites: CD 823

Credits: 2

This course will focus on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy, emphasizing using information/expository and narrative text to build reading comprehension and writing in the classroom. It will provide students with an interactive introduction to a wide variety of literature for children. A key component of the course will be choosing, assessing, and reading children's literature, specifically informational/expository and narrative text. Students will apply guidelines to evaluate the quality of children's literature and strategies for building reading comprehension and writing as they connect to literature. Students will review the classics in children's literature and current popular titles.

 

CD-828 – DL Teaching Language and Literacy to English Language Learners * Synchronous online

Prerequisites: CD 823

Credits: 2

This course provides students with a theoretical and practical foundation for providing developmentally appropriate assessment and instruction of spoken and written language skills in English Language Learners.

 

CD-879A – DL Structured Literacy Seminar

Prerequisites: CD 823

Credits: 2

This class addresses multi-sensory, structured language principles and techniques developed for the remediation of reading and writing difficulties. The focus is on integrating the areas of spoken and written language. Presentations and case-based discussions will assist students in drawing connections between academic coursework and their CD 879B practicum experience.

 

CD-879B Structured Literacy Practicum (ONSITE)

Prerequisites: CD 879A

Credits: 2

Students will apply the multi-sensory, structured principles and techniques learned in CD 879A by providing individualized instruction to struggling readers. Data-driven instruction that promotes a motivating, successful learning environment is emphasized. The Practicum includes weekly case-based group discussions.

 

CD-879 CA DL Structured Literacy Practicum I (online- 15 credit program only)

Prerequisites: CD 823, CD 824 A and B, CD 825, CD 827

Credits: 3

This 15-week online practicum (126 hours) addresses Structured Literacy principles for remediating reading and writing difficulties, aligned with the International Dyslexia Association's Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS). Students receive research-based training in phonological and orthographic processing, fluency, writing, language, and reading comprehension. Diagnostic report writing and data-based decisions drive intensive intervention in the first semester of this two-semester practicum, comprised of CD 879 CA and CD 879 CB.

 

CD-879 CB DL Structured Literacy Practicum II (online- 15 credit program only)

Prerequisites: CD 879CA

Credits: 2

This 15-week online practicum (126 hours) addresses Structured Literacy principles for remediating reading and writing difficulties, aligned with the International Dyslexia Association's Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS). Students receive research-based training in phonological and orthographic processing, fluency, writing, language, and reading comprehension. Progress monitoring supports data-based decisions to drive intervention in the second 15 weeks of this two-semester practicum, comprised of CD 879 CA and CD 879 CB. CD 879 CA must be taken first.

 

CD-882 School-Based Reading Practicum (CAS Program only)

Prerequisites: At least 18 credits of the core CAS curriculum

Credits: 3

Integrated Practicum Seminar is required. As a capstone to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading, students receive a mentored reading practicum in the Massachusetts Public Schools or 766-approved site under the supervision of a MA licensed reading specialist. Placement can usually be arranged in the school district of your employment.

 

Full Catalog is available at -- https://mghihp.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/catalog