Towson Learning Network
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center
Reading (M.Ed.)
In an effort to assist teachers and local school systems in Southern Maryland, Towson University offers the Master of Education in Reading program. As delivered at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, it is designed to prepare reading specialists, primarily for K-12 education but also for community colleges, industry, adult education programs, commercial education centers, and private practice. The 36-credit program is highly structured with nine required courses and three electives. It is developmental in design. Students grow in both their knowledge and application as they proceed through the program. Please note that the reading program sequence at SMHEC begins only in the summer semester, though students may apply to the program and begin taking electives in the fall and spring semesters.
The Graduate Reading Program at Towson University closely reflects the broad, comprehensive knowledge and skills outlined in the 2003 Standards for Reading Professionals developed by the International Reading Association.
The goals of the M.Ed. in Reading program is to prepare reading specialists who have a dynamic understanding of the reading process and who have a wide array of resources for enhancing literacy for all learners.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission to the Master of Education in Reading program must meet the criteria for admission to all graduate programs at the university: a 3.00 GPA for the last 60 credits of undergraduate and post-baccalaureate study. Students can be admitted conditionally to the Master of Education in reading program with a 2.75 GPA. Those admitted conditionally must receive a grade of A or B in the first three REED courses they take in the program. Candidates who completed their bachelor’s degree more than 10 years ago with less than a 3.00 can be admitted to the program by documenting five years of successful and relevant work experience.
Application Information
If you are enrolling in this program and have not attended the Towson University Graduate School for the last three years, you must complete a Graduate School application and send any additional materials required by the specific program to the Towson University Graduate School.
Registration
Upon acceptance into the graduate school and department program, all candidates register for each course online. Typically the course sections at SMHEC range from 611 - 620.
For more information regarding registration, contact Ms. Alyssa Zumpano, TU/SMHEC site coordinator, at azumpano@towson.edu or 301-737-2500, x 307.
Tuition and Reimbursement
Upon registration for class, you will receive a bill from the Bursar’s Office for full tuition and fees. The fees for the SMHEC location are assessed at a reduced rate based on its distance from the main campus. This bill must be paid by the due date. Unpaid bills will be assessed late fees and after 90 days will be sent to a collection agency.
Towson University has a directly billing agreement with the three Southern Maryland county school sytems (Saint Mary's, Calvert, and Charles). If you are a teacher in one of these districts, you will receive, upon registration, a bill from the Bursar’s Office for a non-refundable, non-reimbursable closed contract processing fee. The school system is then billed for the remainder of the tuition for that course. If you have reached your maximum reimbursement, you will be billed for the remainder of the tuition at the rate charged to the school system at the conclusion of the semester. Each school system has a different reimbursement policy or procedure based on negotiated agreements with its unions and with the University. For more information on this benefit, contact your school system.
You may choose to seek reimbursement directly from your school system upon completion of each course in the program. Please note the following:
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Your school system will not pay for your tuition if you receive a grade that does not meet your school system’s reimbursement requirements, if you receive a grade of I (incomplete), or if you receive a grade of FX. Instead, you will be solely responsible for the tuition and fees.
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Your school system will not pay your tuition if you exceed their reimbursable credit limit. If you exceed your school system’s reimbursable credit limit, you are solely responsible for the tuition and fees
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Tuition and fees are subject to increase.
If you are taking courses for certification purposes, check with your local school system or Maryland State Department of Education certification personnel to ensure that you are registering for the course you need.
Grades and Transcripts
If you need a copy of your grades, you can receive them through Towson Online Services. You can get information about requesting official transcripts from the Registrar's Office.
Directions to the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center
Contact Us
If you have questions about this program, contact Ms. Alyssa Zumpano, TU/SMHEC Reading program coordinator, at azumpano@towson.edu or 301-737-2500, x 307.
If you have general questions about off campus programs, contact John Desmone at
jdesmone@towson.edu.
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