Reading Specialist Certification

The 36 credit Reading Specialist program leads to a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) certification in Reading K-12.  To begin the certification, you need a valid Pennsylvania Public School Teaching Certificate or required PDE scores on appropriate PRAXIS Tests for Instructional I certification.

This certification can also apply toward an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy.  To receive this degree as well as the certification, students must take 18 credits (6 courses) at the 500 level and complete a master's paper (3 credits) for a total of 39 credits. 

This certification is for practicing professional educators wishing to:

• teach developmental reading across the entire K-12 school district;
• work directly with students experiencing difficulty in mastering reading and writing expectations;
• assist administrators and teachers across grade levels and content areas to incorporate literacy experiences for students.

Curriculum

Getting started

You may start immediately with one or two of the following courses by submitting the Graduate Nondegree Application.  Please contact an academic adviser to plan the rest of your program.  Self-advising is not recommended.

• CI 550             Contemporary School Curriculum
• EDPSY 421    Learning Processes
• LL ED 500      Reading & Writing Classroom
• LL ED 501      Teaching Writing in Elem/Sec Schools
• LL ED 541      Adolescent & Children’s Literature Related to Ethnic & Social Issues

Certification application

To formally apply to the Reading Specialist Certification program, you need to:

• meet with the program adviser.  Call 610-648-3284 to set up an appointment.
• meet the requirements for application to the Reading Certification program or the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction program.  See C&I and Reading Specialist Admission for more information.

Before receiving certification, you need to receive:

• a passing grade on the Pennsylvania Pre-Certification Exam on Educating the Handicapped or a special education course (contact your adviser for details);
• a Pennsylvania qualifying score on the PRAXIS Reading Specialist Exam (570).

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gveduc@psu.edu
610-648-3312

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