The Master of Education (EdM) in Language & Literacy Education at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is a non-licensure program for professionals who wish to study literacy development and language acquisition, with a strong emphasis on building on students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds and on students’ development of bilingual/multilingual competence.
For the master’s in Language & Literacy Education, you can choose one of the three specializations: language education, literacy education, or American Sign Language (ASL) & Deaf studies. You’ll explore research and practice that informs the acquisition, development, and use of language and literacy in home, school, and community settings. This master’s program is typically completed in about two semesters and can be started in the fall or spring. It does not lead to initial teacher licensure, although some coursework may prepare you to eventually seek licensure.
Dates & Deadlines
Spring & Fall 2025
Aug 15, 2024
Application Opens
Spring 2025 Semester
Dec 15, 2024
Application Deadline
Fall 2025 Semester
Jan 15, 2025
Deadline to Receive Priority Scholarship Consideration
Fall 2025 Semester
Aug 1, 2025
Application Closes
Featured Faculty
The faculty in the Language & Literacy EdM are educators and researchers from across BU Wheelock with a strong social justice orientation and a commitment to supporting students from racially and linguistically marginalized communities. They have expertise in many areas of language and literacy development, including biliteracy, TESOL methods, second language acquisition, adolescent literacy, children’s literature, Deaf education, and more.
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Jennifer Altavilla-Giordano
Program Director, TESOL Multilingual Learner Education (Licensure)
Lecturer -
Andrea Bien
Clinical Associate Professor
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Andrew R. Bottoms
Program Director, Deaf Studies
Senior Lecturer -
Jennifer Bryson
Program Director, Elementary Education
Program Director, Reading Education
Faculty Director, Educator Preparation
Senior Lecturer -
Naomi Caselli
Director, BU AI & Education Initiative
Associate Professor -
Todd Czubek
Senior Lecturer
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Christina L. Dobbs
Program Director, English Education
Associate Professor -
Elena Forzani
Program Director, Literacy Education
Assistant Professor -
Katherine Frankel
Chair, Language & Literacy Education
Associate Professor -
Emily Glenn-Smith
Lecturer
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Mary E. Hughes
Senior Lecturer
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Davena Jackson
Assistant Professor
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Laura M. Jiménez
Senior Lecturer
Director, Center for Educating Critically -
Franklin Jones, Jr.
Lecturer
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Yasuko Kanno
Professor
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Kathy Minhye Kim
Program Director, Language Education
Clinical Assistant Professor -
Amy M. Lieberman
Director, Doctoral Studies
Associate Professor -
Ashley R. Moore
Assistant Professor
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Catherine O’Connor
Professor
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Maria C. Olivares
Research Assistant Professor
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Marnie Reed
Clinical Professor Emerita
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Eli Tucker-Raymond
Research Associate Professor
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Beth Warren
Sylvia Earl Professor
Director, Earl Center for Learning & Innovation
Career Outcomes
With the expertise you’ll gain with an EdM in Language & Literacy Education, you’ll be able to explore a variety of professional pathways. Graduates of Boston University’s Language & Literacy master’s program hold many different kind of roles in language instruction, literacy development, and educational leadership.
- Instructional leaders
- Instructional coach
- Literacy & language specialist
- Curriculum developer
- Adult literacy teacher
- Policy maker or advisor
- Community organizer
- Language/literacy leader
- Researcher
More Information about the EdM in Language & Literacy Education
Deaf Studies
Boston University’s Deaf Studies program prepares educators using a multilingual ASL/English approach. Explore the Deaf Studies program at BU Wheelock to learn more.
Graduate Admissions
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the EdM in Language & Literacy Education. Get information about application deadlines and requirements, and sign up for an upcoming information session.
Financing Your Education
There are several flexible options for financing your Boston University graduate education. Learn more about financial assistance, including scholarships and fellowships.