Literacy and Language Certificates

Degree

15-credit Graduate Certificate

All applicants must have a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S college or university or recognized international equivalency; a bachelor’s degree in education or speech-language pathology, or any bachelor’s degree with literacy and language teaching experience.

No teaching license required.

20-credit CAS Literacy and Language Certificate

All applicants must have a conferred bachelor's and master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or recognized international equivalency.

A teaching license is not required to apply to the program. However, applicants should be aware that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires you to have an initial teaching license and to have worked for at least 1 year under that pre-requisite license in order to qualify for licensure as a reading specialist. Speech and Language teaching licenses are considered initial teaching licenses in Massachusetts.

The MGH Institute is one of the few literacy and language programs that allows you to complete both a clinical practicum and a school-based practicum. Each takes place under the close supervision of one of our faculty or an appropriate mentor.

The 30-hour clinical practicum takes place at our on-campus Speech, Language and Literacy Center. You’ll learn to differentiate instruction for struggling readers. The structured literacy method of instruction you will use is often the key for your students who struggle with foundational reading and spelling skills. Many CAS graduates state that this closely mentored experience is one of the most powerful aspects of the program.

The school-based practicum is a 150-hour internship under the supervision of a licensed reading specialist in an approved public school or private school. Practicing teachers typically complete this practicum in their own school. If you're not a practicing teacher, the program director will work with you to identify a school and supervisor that is a good fit for your learning goals and interests.

GRE

The GRE is not required for admission to this program.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions. If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

• Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon the successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.

• To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
• For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions, and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test. To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements.

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program.

The Office of Admission strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (admissions[at]mghihp[dot]edu). If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts be sent to the mailing address listed below:

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document the minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Statement of Intent

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following:

Discuss your personal and professional experiences, your academic interests and objectives, and your career aspirations. Address how and why you feel the Literacy and Language Certificate program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions can help you to achieve your academic and professional goals. Include any other information you believe is relevant.

Answers should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages in total. Margins should be no more than one inch, and type size should be no smaller than 10-point, with a 12-point type preferred. Please make sure your full legal name is included on each page. The statement of intent should be uploaded directly to your online application.

Recommendation Letters

Applicants are required to provide three recommendation letters. All recommendations are processed electronically through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within the online application.

Recommendation letters should come from individuals who are able to address your academic ability, character, and integrity, as well as your potential for graduate professional study. No more than three recommendation letters will be reviewed as part of your application.

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.

Can I receive Financial Aid for this program?

Do not wait until you've been accepted to the program to learn about financial aid options available. Contact our Financial Aid office as soon as you have applied to ensure that you will be able to take advantage of all options available. When you apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you'll need the MGH Institute Federal School Code: G22316.

Since this is not considered a full-time graduate program, you may not be eligible for most traditional financial aid programs. However, you may be eligible for employer tuition reimbursement if this is a graduate program of study in your profession.

Who do I contact for more information about the academic program, curriculum, or course requirements?

If you have additional questions, please csd [at] mghihp.edu (contact the CSD department).

Who do I contact for more information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit?

You may admissions [at] mghihp.edu (email the admission office), or call (617) 726-1304 on weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

What is your mailing address?

MGH Institute of Health Professions
Office of Enrollment Services
36 1st Ave.
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129

Are there other Conditions of Admission?

Yes. If applicable, final transcripts and test scores must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission.

I’m an international student. Can I receive an F-1 Visa?

No this program is not eligible for F-1 Visa status. Please see additional General Information for Prospective International Students in our Admissions section.