Language & Literacy Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Student FAQ

1. What makes the Language and Literacy program unique from other comparable master's programs?

The program emphasizes the link between language and literacy skills that significantly influence every aspect of an individual's life. As a faculty, our courses and research focus on the variety of factors that influence the development of both language and literacy skills across the life span, with particular emphasis on improving instruction, research and policy. Faculty and researchers in Language and Literacy explore a variety of ages and topics; from studies that focus on the language-based precursors to literacy, to those that examine the impact of early literacy-intervention on language minority learners, to research on skills that relate to adults' reading proficiency, to the application of brain-based theories of dyslexia in the design of interventions for reading-impaired children.

In addition, our program is distinguished by the extent to which our faculty have made and continue to make significant contributions to both national and international scholarship and policy on language and literacy issues, including the National Academy of Sciences report "Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children," the Rand Reading Study Group report "Reading for Understanding: Toward an R&D Program in Reading Comprehension," Students in the program have opportunities for applied work and research with organizations such as the Boston Public Schools, local Head Start programs, and the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy.

2. What types of careers do Language and Literacy graduates pursue?

Graduates of the Language and Literacy program pursue careers in a variety of educational and professional settings. Many teach in a classroom setting or become reading specialists in schools. Others pursue work in educational publishing, education advocacy, or adult literacy. Still others go become consultants, researchers, diagnosticians, or reading specialists in schools, hospitals, or private practice. Finally, some graduates decide to pursue doctoral studies immediately following their master's year or at some point in the future. To learn more about how our alumni are applying their degrees in their professional pursuits, visit our Alumni Alumni & Careers page.

3. If I am interested in doctoral work, is a Master in Education beneficial to that pursuit?

Though a master's degree is not required to apply for a doctoral program, completion of a master's degree does demonstrate your ability to successfully work at the graduate level.

4. What types of professional experiences and research opportunities are available?

Students in our program have worked on faculty research projects (administering assessments, collecting data, transcribing, etc.), tutored in classrooms, and participated in internships with policy organizations, publishers, and other educational institutions suited to their professional goals. Please visit our Internship page for more detailed information on the range opportunities available to students in our program.

5. What characteristics do you look for in a successful applicant?

There is no one "profile" for a successful applicant. The Language and Literacy admissions committee looks holistically at an individual's application. We do not look at GREs, statements of purpose, and recommendations in isolation. Though we prefer that applicants have had some professional experience prior to applying to the program, it is not a requirement. For a snapshot of our current class, please visit our "Current Students" page.

6. Is there financial aid available to incoming master's students?

A limited amount of grant assistance is available for master's students. Grants can extend up to $6,000 and are awarded on the basis of financial need. Please contact Financial Aid for more information on student loans, fellowships, and needs specific to your personal situation.

7. If I have completed graduate courses prior to attending HGSE, are my credits transferable to the Language and Literacy program?

HGSE does not accept transfer credits from other institutions. Degree candidates may, with permission of the Committee on Degrees (COD), count towards the degree no more than a total of two graduate-level half courses (8 credits) taken while (1) enrolled as a non-degree student at HGSE prior to enrollment in the current degree program; (2) as extra courses while enrolled in a prior HGSE degree program; (3) as a student at the Harvard Summer School. Independent Studies may not be included. For more information on the eligibility of transfer credits, please contact our Registrar.

Admitted Student FAQ

When do I need to let HGSE know that I plan on attending?

Please let the HGSE Admissions Office know your decision to attend by April 21st. If you applied using the on-line application, starting April 1, you will be able to respond to the offer of admission and pay the $250 nonrefundable tuition deposit by logging into the online application tool.

How do I find out about Financial Aid?

If you applied for financial aid on time, you should be hearing from their office shortly after your official letter of admission. If you still have financial aid questions and/or need to file a late financial aid application, you should visit the Financial Aid website. Many of the forms you will need are downloadable from the site.

Is there a way to contact other incoming students without sending a message to the entire L&L community?

Yes, a listserv for incoming students will be created once the admissions process is complete, usually in late June. You will be notified as soon as the list is up and running.

How can I find a place to live?

This can be a challenge in the Cambridge/Boston area. You can find many listings at the Harvard Housing Office at 7 Holyoke St. (bring along information showing you are a Harvard student in order to get in). Many incoming students find Craigslist very useful in finding affordable and nearby housing. Be assured that you will find a place to live! One-hundred percent of Harvard students do -- many in quarters-- old, new, stately, funky -- they enjoy. If you are not familiar with the Boston area, you may want to consider areas outside of Harvard Square but easily accessible by train or bus such as Porter Square, Davis Square, Central Square. Many students live in both Cambridge and Somerville.

What about housing and/or campus tours?

As far as tours go for housing, you may want to contact the housing office directly about that possibility. HGSE's campus is limited to just a few buildings for you to explore. If you are interested in taking a Harvard University tour, they are offered at 10 am and 2 pm. Any visitor is welcome to join one of the free daily campus tours offered by the Harvard News Office. The tours leave the Harvard Information Center in Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave.

When do classes begin? What is the schedule for the year?

Please visit HGSE's academic calendar for a full schedule.

When and what is Orientation?

You will be updated from the Office of Student Affairs with a full Orientation schedule sometime late in the summer. This schedule will be posted on the Student Intranet (the Intranet is only available after you receive your student ID later in the summer). In general, Orientation is the second full week in September. Orientation activities include an L&L program meeting, HGSE presentations, and also some fun social events.

Do I choose an advisor or is one assigned to me?

You will be assigned an advisor during Orientation in September.

When will I register for courses?

Students register for courses after Orientation and class shopping has finished (the Friday of Orientation week). Shopping is held for students at the beginning of each semester. During shopping, you will have the opportunity to sit in on mini-presentations about each course. Shop all courses in which you may be interested. It is a great opportunity to sample a course and meet the faculty member prior to registering for the class.

How do I cross-register for courses?

Please read the section on Cross-Registration carefully.

How many classes can we take per semester?

Full-time students must take at least four classes a semester, but have the opportunity to enroll in a fifth class at no additional tuition cost.

How can I be involved in independent research or a HGSE research project? What is the process for pursuing a research assistantship?

Investigate the HGSE research projects and the profiles of faculty who interest you. You should then contact them and ask them if there is any way you can become involved in their work. Some projects will offer presentations during Orientation week. You may also want to consider, prior to contacting them, if you want this to be an independent study or volunteer opportunity. Be aware that some faculty may put you on hold until spring semester to see what kind of work you produce and/or may be wary of taking on an independent study first semester. This will be crucial in strategically picking your fall semester classes.

If I have an interest in pursuing a doctoral degree after I get my Masters, how soon should I begin the process of applying?

Again, this is where strategically choosing your fall coursework becomes essential. Many doctoral programs have application deadlines in January. You may want to be on the lookout for potential faculty mentors and/or references as you pick fall classes. If interested in the HGSE doctoral program, please contact the Admissions Office in early fall of your master's year.

What assistance is there in job placement?

HGSE has a Career Services Office that works with current students to navigate the post-graduation career/ job placement process. They also organize job fairs and on-campus recruiting. Register early for services like eRecruiting and one-on-one appointment with a career counselor.

Licensure FAQ

1. I have been in the Teach for America program. Am I qualified to apply for the L&L Reading Licensure Program?

You can meet qualifications for the Language and Literacy Reading Licensure Program if you completed a state-approved program for licensure while you were in Teach for America, hold a license as a result of that program, and have taught for at least one full year under that license.

2. How difficult is it to get licensed in another state after having received my Massachusetts license?

Massachusetts has reciprocity with 46 states for Teacher licensure. Please see our Licensure unit's Reciprocity and Links to State Licensure Offices web page and The Massachusetts' Department of Education's Reciprocity page for the specific states and other details. Books on licensure requirements in other states are available for you to review and photocopy in the Career Services Office - Licensure Unit, 1 Longfellow Hall. Please see Larissa Noake, Licensure Staff Assistant, for access to these books.

3. Will I get paid more if I have a higher-level license?

Yes. However, the pay scale differs from district to district. You will be able to obtain this information from the individual district office in which you plan to work.

4. I have a license, but I have not taught under my license. Can I still meet the prerequisite for the Reading Specialist license?

No. You must have taught UNDER your prerequisite license for at least one year.

5. Do I have to complete my prerequisite teaching experience after I receive my prerequisite license?

Yes. You must have taught UNDER your prerequisite license for at least one year.

If you have questions about...

The Field Experience Program (FEP)

Many Ed.M. students participate in HGSE's internship program, the Field Experience Program (FEP). For more information, please visit the FEP website.

Career Opportunities

For more information please visit HGSE's Career Services Office.

Cross-Registration

Many HGSE students choose to take courses at other Harvard graduate schools (aka, cross-registering), including the Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Kennedy School of Government (KSG). Unfortunately, Harvard's schools operate on different schedules. Therefore, remain mindful of school's individual calendars and deadlines: start of classes, vacations, and exams.

For more information about cross-registering at other Harvard schools, please visit: https://crossreg.harvard.edu/OASIS/CrossReg/index.html

HGSE Course Catalog

For more information about HGSE course offerings, view the entire HGSE course catalogue.

Admissions

For more information about the HGSE admissions process, please visit Admissions