The CAGS in Reading program is designed for the candidate who currently holds an
earned Master of Education or Master’s in Related Field and who is seeking to
expand his/her reading specialist licensure to include a certificate of advanced
graduate study.
The program is designed to promote a philosophy of teaching reading and language
arts that is based on a thorough knowledge of reading/language arts theory,
research, and major educational trends. The CAGS in Reading provides the
candidate with a program of advanced study designed to build on the candidate’s
professional knowledge in the areas of reading, language arts and educational
research and technologies.
OPTION I. The program is open to candidates who first have completed the
graduate level, nondegree reading specialist licensure WSU program at the
initial license level in good standing (minimum GPA 3.0). The candidate has the
option of applying fifteen credits of the non-degree program as a specialty core
to the CAGS program of 32 credits. Please refer to Master of Education—Reading
New Field/Non-Degree program (Track 3).
OPTION II. The program is open to candidates who currently hold licensure as a
reading specialist (initial or professional level) and teaching license, as well
as an earned Master of Education or
Master’s in Related Field and are seeking to build on their expertise as a
reading specialist by attaining a certificate of advanced graduate study in
reading. The candidate completes fifteen credits of a advanced reading specialty
core, as well as,15 credits of CAGS foundation courses and a 2 credit capstone
research forum for a total CAGS program of 32 credits.
The program of study is designed to allow the candidate to integrate their
extensive subject knowledge in the area of reading with contemporary educational
resources and research. The CAGS foundation courses provide a knowledge base in
the areas of social, political & cultural issues, technology and leadership, and
contemporary educational trends, such as brain –based and problem- based
learning. The candidate participates in an action research project (6 credits)
which allows the candidate to engage in programmatic uses and application of the
knowledge research base gained from coursework and field experiences related to
reading/language arts. Finally, the research forum serves as the student’s
capstone experience and provides the candidate with the opportunity to present
his/her research findings at the WSU sponsored research forum and to engage in
professional interdisciplinary discussion.
Standards for this program
are based on those developed by the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee
and the Advisory Group to the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher
Education Joint Task Force (1992), as well as, Professional Standards for
Teachers set forth in 603CMR 7.08 and Subject Knowledge Requirements for Reading
Teachers set forth in 603 CMR 7.07( 2).
Admission Requirements
Students applying to the CAGS in Reading program will be required to meet the
competencies established by the graduate program for all candidates seeking a
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study through Worcester State University. In
addition, students will be required to demonstrate evidence of:
• Earned Master of Education or Master’s
in Related Field -
Minimum GPA 3.0,
• Hold current Massachusetts Educator
Licensure as a Reading
Specialist (initial or professional level),
• Passed all required Massachusetts Test
for Educator
Licensure
( MTEL) exams, before formal acceptance to the
CAGS
program.
Course of Study
The Reading CAGS program provides candidates with two options:
OPTION I.
The program is open to candidates who first have completed the graduate level,
non-degree reading specialist licensure WSU program at the initial license level
in good standing (minimum GPA 3.0). The candidate has the option of applying
fifteen credits of the non-degree program as a specialty core to the CAGS
program of 32 credits. Please refer to Master of Education—Reading New
Field/Non-Degree program (Track 3).
Upon acceptance, the candidate meets with the program coordinator to complete a
formal program of study. Fifteen credits of the non-degree program licensure
program are transferred as the specialty core courses to the CAGS program of 32
credits. The candidate then progresses through the CAGS foundation courses (15
credits). The course of study culminates in the 2 credit capstone experience
which includes the presentation of a summative portfolio and the candidate’s
action research findings at the WSU research forum.
OPTION II.
The program is open to candidates who currently hold licensure as a reading
specialist (initial or professional level) and teaching license, as well as an
earned Master of Education or Master’s in Related Field and are seeking to build
on their expertise as a reading specialist by attaining a certificate of
advanced graduate study in reading. The candidate completes fifteen credits of
an advanced reading specialty core, as well as, 15 credits of CAGS foundation
courses and a 2 credit capstone research forum for a total CAGS program of 32
credits.
Upon acceptance, the candidate meets with the program coordinator to complete a
formal program of study. The candidate must complete a reading specialty core of
fifteen credits which have been pre-approved by the Graduate Reading
Coordinator. The candidate also progresses through the CAGS foundation courses
(15 credits). The course of study culminates in the 2 credit capstone experience
which includes the presentation of a summative portfolio and the candidate’s
action research findings at the WSU research forum.
The program consists of the following courses:
CAGS Foundation Courses for Reading Concentration:
Foundations: (15 credits)
ED 987 Social, political and cultural
issues in education 3 credits
ED 988 Contemporary Education: Brain &
problem based
learning. 3 credits
ED 989 Technology and educational
leadership 3 credits
EA 939 Action Research Project I 3
credits
EA 940 Action Research Project II 3 credits
Total Foundation Cores: 15 credits
Reading Specialty Core Area: (15 credits)
Option 1: Initial Licensure Program Reading Electives transferred
from completed WSU graduate non-degree program: 15
credits
(Courses must be pre-approved by Reading Graduate
Coordinator)
Please see Master of Education—Reading, New Field/Non-
degree Program and courses.
Option 2: CAGS Reading Core 15 credits
Candidate must take 15 credits/five courses from the approved reading program
electives or special topics and not previously used to satisfy initial license.
(All Courses must be pre-approved by Reading Graduate Coordinator)
ER 925 Reading Research Forum (Capstone
Experience) 2 credits
Total specialty core courses required 17 credits
Capstone Experience: Research Forum (2 credits). Each area of concentration
(Reading) will include a 2 credit capstone experience/research forum
A course designed to synthesize information gained from coursework and field
experiences related to area of concentration.
1. A summative portfolio that reflects the appropriate Massachusetts
professional standards is required.
2. Students plan and present research relevant to their concentration.
3. Students can only register for the research forum course as their last
course or concurrently last.