Candidates preparing to become reading specialists study the components of the reading and writing processes and how children and adults develop literacy. Candidates learn diagnostic techniques and strategies that address that many different types of literacy problems struggling readers and writers may have. They learn strategies for working with all students, including special needs students and English language learners.
The program leading to Reading Specialist Certification consists of 39 credits described below and a comprehensive exam; or 36 credits and a thesis, which requires the student to take LTED 613. For certification eligibility, there is also a requirement of two years of teaching experience.
Candidates for this program must produce graduate course work in three of the following six areas (some seminars may satisfy an area):
The following ten courses are required (30 credits):
Nature of Reading
Reading and the School Curriculum
Literacy and Learning in the Early Child Curriculum
Reading in the Secondary School
Pedagogy and Application of Children's Literature K-12
Practicum in Reading I: Diagnostic Procedures
Practicum in Reading II
Solving Reading Problems at the Elementary School Level
Administration and Supervision of School Reading Programs
Research in Reading
*Courses to be taken at the beginning of the program. **Course to be taken in the final semester.
Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Select 3 credits from the following list:
Reading and Multi-Media
Microcomputers and Reading Instruction
Select 6 credits from the following list:
Reading Disabilities Remediation
Literacy in the Elementary Curriculum
Literacy Strategies for the Early Childhood Classroom
Literacy in the Middle School
Advanced Research in Reading (for thesis students only)
Pedagogical Aspects of Teaching Writing in the K-12 Classroom
Effective Literacy Strategies for English Language Learners
Seminar in Reading: Selected Topics