Promote Language and Literacy Development
Improve how students read, write, and learn with a master’s in literacy education and language (EdM) from BU Wheelock. Through critical study of research and practice, you’ll gain a rich understanding of how language and literacy are developed in home, school, and community settings.
This program is typically completed in about two semesters and can be started in the fall or spring. While it does not lead to initial teacher licensure, some coursework may prepare you to eventually seek licensure.
Program Pathways
Our master’s in literacy education and language allows you to develop expertise in areas aligned with a master’s in American Sign Language or a master’s in second language acquisition through a choice of three specializations.
Focus on reading, writing, and language and literacy development across diverse learners and settings. Ideal for educators seeking to strengthen instruction and improve outcomes.
Explore how language is learned and taught across multilingual contexts, with coursework aligned to a master’s in second language acquisition. Ideal for those supporting bilingual and multilingual learners.
Build expertise in ASL, Deaf culture, and language development, with coursework aligned to a master’s in American Sign Language. Ideal for educators working with or preparing to support Deaf learners.
“I have become more confident in my ability as a teacher and more capable in my ability to confidently communicate with my colleagues and peers.”
Career Outcomes in Language and Literacy Education
The master’s in literacy education and language prepares you to improve policy, practice, and research to support learning in homes, schools, and communities. Upon completing your degree, you’ll be able to:
- Understand how language, culture, and identity shape literacy development across childhood and adolescence
- Apply research and theory to teaching and learning contexts
- Design effective assessment and instruction in language and literacy
- Analyze cognitive, sociocultural, and systemic factors that influence learning
- Use evidence-based approaches to support bilingual and multilingual learners
- Build on students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds as assets in the learning process
This program provides a solid foundation for careers aligned with a master’s in American Sign Language or a master’s in second language acquisition.
Join Alumni in a Rewarding Career in Language or Literacy Education
Graduates of our master’s in literacy education and language make an impact in various roles across language instruction, literacy development, and educational leadership. BU Wheelock alumni hold such positions as:
- Instructional leader or coach
- Literacy and language specialist
- Curriculum developer
- Adult literacy teacher
- Policy maker or advisor
- Community organizers
- Researchers
“I chose BU Wheelock because of its strong reputation and the incredible faculty who bring both expertise and passion to their teaching. I was drawn to the program’s unique blend of hands-on experience and rigorous academic learning, which I knew would prepare me to make a meaningful impact in the field.”
Featured Faculty
The faculty in BU Wheelock’s master’s in literacy education and language have 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
Faculty Director, Educator Preparation
Senior Lecturer -
Naomi Caselli
Director, BU AI & Education Initiative
Director, BU Deaf Center
Associate Professor -
Todd Czubek
Senior Lecturer
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Christina L. Dobbs
Program Director, English Education for Equity & Justice
Associate Professor -
Elena Forzani
Program Director, Literacy Education
Program Director, Reading & Literacies Education
Assistant Professor -
Katherine Frankel
Chair, Language & Literacy Education Department
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 Kim
Program Director, Language Education
Assistant Professor -
Amy M. Lieberman
Director, Doctoral Studies
Associate Professor -
Catherine O’Connor
Professor Emerita
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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
Dr. Laura M. Jiménez is a senior lecturer in the Language & Literacy Education Department at BU Wheelock. Her scholarship looks at the ways marginalized communities are represented in children and YA literature. Her work has been published in Journal for Literacy Research, Language Arts, and other peer-reviewed journals, as well as the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and other media outlets.
Language and Literacy Education Course
All students in the master’s in literacy education and language will take the program’s foundational course, Introduction to Research. Additional courses will vary based on your chosen specialization.
- Educational Issues in Bilingualism
- History of Reading Research
- Critical Analysis of Children’s and Young Adult Literature
- Exploring Picture Books for All Readers
- Looking at YA Literature through Multiple Lenses
- Methods in Bilingual Education/Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language
- Literacy Development for English Learners: Instruction and Assessment
- Educational Issues in Bilingualism
- Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition
- Applied Linguistics: Language and Linguistics Survey
In this specialization, you’ll complete an ASL proficiency assessment prior to the first term, which will be used to determine appropriate placement in ASL courses. You’ll take required courses in social psychology, ASL development, academic ASL, and applied ASL. In addition, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of courses that include the following:
- Teaching Deaf Literature and Visual Arts
- Topics in Speech, Language, and Hearing for Deaf Educators
- ASL/English Bilingual Instruction
- Sign Language Structure
“For a lot of students, their histories of reading instruction and the experiences they’ve had can be quite negative. [We try to] rethink what we’re doing in those spaces in ways that really honor who they are—their identities and their experiences and their brilliant ideas about literacy.”
Katherine Frankel
Associate Professor
Scholarships Available
Ready to begin your master’s in literacy education and language? Don’t let questions of funding hold you back. At Boston University, merit-based scholarships are available to graduate students.
Admissions & Dates
Fall 2026 Start
Jul 1, 2026
Application Closes (International Applicants)
Fall 2026 Start
Aug 1, 2026
Application Closes
Fall 2027 Start
Aug 15, 2026
Application Opens
Spring 2027 Start
Dec 15, 2026
Application Closes
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the master’s in literacy education and language. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Frequently Asked Questions
This master’s in literacy education and language emphasizes how culture, language, and context shape learning. You’ll study literacy development and language acquisition across home, school, and community settings, with a focus on bilingual and multilingual learners. The program combines research and practice to help you understand how students read, write, and communicate in diverse environments.
You’ll build expertise in literacy development, language acquisition, and evidence-based instruction. Coursework draws on research in areas like multilingual education, sociocultural influences on learning, and assessment practices. This program also explores how language and literacy develop across different contexts, preparing you to apply research to policy, practice, or further study.
Yes—the ASL & Deaf Studies pathway functions as a master’s in American Sign Language within this broader degree. You’ll study ASL development, Deaf culture, and language use, along with research on language acquisition and literacy. This pathway is ideal if you’re interested in Deaf education, advocacy, or language-focused roles.
This program includes coursework and research in second language acquisition, making it a strong option for students interested in how people learn additional languages. Through the language education pathway, you’ll explore theories and practices that inform teaching and learning for multilingual learners across educational settings.
Graduates of this master’s in literacy education pursue roles such as literacy specialist, instructional coach, curriculum developer, researcher, or policy advisor. The program prepares you to work in schools, higher education, nonprofits, and community organizations focused on language and literacy development.