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Academics

Reading Specialist Graduate Certificate (Initial Licensure)

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Certificate Overview

This program defines the knowledge and skills necessary for effective assessment, instruction and leadership in the field of reading. It responds to the needs of school districts by preparing specialists in leadership roles, as well as to the needs of students with a wide range of abilities. This certificate program provides candidates who hold initial licenses in early childhood, elementary, middle school or special education with a rigorous, research based curriculum, a range of assessment, teaching and staff development opportunities. Candidates for this program already hold a master’s degree and are seeking preparation for the state licensure examination for initial licensure: reading specialist.

Requirements And Curriculum

Prerequisites

  • An initial teaching license
  • Children or Young Adult Literature Course
  • Child Development (Child Growth and Development)
  • Principles and Practices of the Teaching of Reading (or equivalent course)
  • Passing scores on the MTEL Communication and Literacy test
  • Appropriate bachelor's and master's degrees

Required Courses
SPED 8300 Language Development, Differences and Disorders (or a comparable course) 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 7016 Understanding the Structure of the English Language 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 7017 Psychology of Reading, Reading Development and Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8017 Specialized Reading Approaches 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8018 Reading Disabilities and the Assessment of Reading 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 8019 Assessment of Writing Skills and Writing Disabilities 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9012 Reading Specialist: Leadership Roles 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9101 Practicum: Reading Specialist 3 S.H.
SPED/READ 9104 Practicum Seminar 3 S.H.

Total for Certificate

 27 S.H.


Career Opportunities

Title I or Reading Teacher
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach
Private Academic Tutoring Business

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online or request a print application

WHAT NEXT?

Contact Admissions Office: (978)665-3144, admissions@fitchburgstate.edu

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Program
at a Glance

Admissions

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis.
Admissions Requirements (PDF)

Delivery

Face-to-face courses offered in the evenings with some day courses during the summer.

Total Credits

27 credits

Program Cost

Tuition and fees

Time Frame

While you can complete the program in as few as 2 years, you have 6 years to complete the program.
Suggested sequence of courses (PDF)

Careers

Title I or Reading Teacher
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach

Program Highlights

Students can attain Initial Licensure as a Reading Specialist without obtaining an additional master’s degree.

 

Graduate and Continuing
Education

(978) 665-3182
gce@fitchburgstate.edu

Location: 
Anthony, Room 112
Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8-6:30 pm
Friday 8-5 pm