Online Certificate in Reading Specialist

The certificate program is designed for students who wish to gain state licensure as a reading specialist in kindergarten through high school settings. Applicants are required to have at least three years of teaching experience in a reading-related field setting if they want to be recommended to the Department of Education for endorsement as a reading specialist in Virginia. This program is available in an online format.

All requirements for admission to graduate school apply to applicants for the Post-master’s Certificate in Reading Specialist. All state department requirements for reading specialist (specifically the 12 hours of graduate or undergraduate work in selected areas) must be met.

Students are required to earn a minimum of 21 graduate hours beyond their current master’s degree, including the required reading courses, an approved reading selective and an elective in the School of Education that has been approved by the adviser. Advisers will recommend selective courses based upon student experience and goals. During the last semester of course work, students must complete a reading portfolio documenting their work in the program and related work experiences. Candidates must receive a passing score on state-mandated licensure/endorsement assessments as a graduation requirement.

Persons completing the program are expected to demonstrate:

1. An understanding of the reading language learning process
2. The ability to critique, adapt and model use of a variety of reading instructional strategies, methods and programs
3. Expertise in developing and providing for continuous assessment of an individual and groups
4. Ability to implement schoolwide developmental, creative and intervention reading/language arts programs
5. Ability to understand and apply theory to practice within a variety of cultural contexts

The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information.

Program Website Curriculum