Reading Specialist
Upon completion of our 24-credit program, you will be eligible to become a certified reading specialist in Pennsylvania. In order to obtain certification, graduates must pass the Praxis exam. Our program can be completed in 18 months. You will study writing theories, literacy theories, literacy assessment and intervention and will have the opportunity in the Duquesne University Reading Clinic.
Request Information Apply Now Visit Us
Accelerate your Career with a Master's Degree
In pursuing the Reading Specialist Certificate, you will have the option to further advance in your studies through the M.S.Ed. Reading and Literacy Education program by taking 4 additional courses, which can provide additional financial aid opportunities!
Program Information
Upon completion of this 24-credit program and passing the Praxis exam, you will be eligible for a K-12 Reading Specialist Certification.
Degree
Certificate
School
Academic Department
Instruction and Leadership in Education
Duration
1.5-year
Required Credit Hours
24
As a graduate student in our program, you will have the opportunity to work in our
Reading Clinic on campus. You will have hands-on experience with K-12 reading in the
tri-state region along side faculty who develop individualized and group instruction,
tailored to each student's age and unique needs.
Access a rich and diverse variety of literacy and developmental resources for young
learners through the library's Curriculum Center - a collection of PreK-12 educational
resources designed for our campus community that works with children.
Hands-On Experience
Great Education, Great Value
Curriculum Center
From the Program Director
I am continually inspired by how this program transforms educators into confident, knowledgeable literacy leaders. Our candidates leave prepared not only to assess and teach reading effectively, but also to advocate for high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction in every classroom.
Curriculum
Discover course descriptions in the University Catalog. Select this year's Graduate Catalog and navigate to course descriptions section.
- GRLA 523 Diversity and Equity in Literacy (3 credits)
- GRLA 525 Theories, Models, and Instruction of Writing (3 credits)
- GRLA 526 Literacy Development and Instruction (3 credits)
- GRLA 635 The Role of Literacy Leaders (3 credits)
- GRLA 529 Disciplinary Literacy (3 credits)
- GRLA 620 Literacy Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
- GRLA 630 Seminar in Literacy (3 credits)
- GRLA 628 Reading Clinic Experience (3 credits)
Total credits = 24 credits
Application Process
Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA*
*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.
Rolling Admissions
Our Reading Specialist Certification program has a rolling admissions process with entry into the program in summer and fall semesters. This means you can apply at any point during the year.
Required Documents
- Graduate Application
- Official transcripts
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended, sent directly from the institution. We are unable to accept transcripts sent directly from applicants.
- International applicants, please see the Transcript Credential Evaluation section in the Admission Requirements section above
- Essay
- Please write an essay that addressed the following questions. The essay should be
emailed our Reading%20and%20Literacy%20Education%20program when you submit your application.
- What does being a graduate student mean to you?
-
How do you plan to balance life, work and earning a graduate degree in reading and literacy education?
- Our program provides completers the opportunity to apply for Reading Specialists Certification in Pennsylvania (PK-12). How will learning about developmental stages other than the one in which you teach make you a stronger reading teacher?
- Why do you believe you and your students would benefit from you earning a Reading Specialist Certificate?
- Please write an essay that addressed the following questions. The essay should be
emailed our Reading%20and%20Literacy%20Education%20program when you submit your application.
Our Faculty Experts
Carla Meyer
Program Director | Professor
Kimberly Davidson
Clinical Assistant Professor
Valerie Gresser
Clinical Assistant Professor
Kelsey R. Jones-Greer
Clinical Assistant Professor
Accreditation
CAEP accreditation nationally recognizes quality in educator preparation. This signifies that our students are well-equipped to meet the needs of PreK-12 students as well as their communities and schools.
It's Time for Bigger Goals
Apply Today!
Learn about admission requirements and the application process
Graduate Programs
Make an impact as a teacher, administrator school psychologist, counselor, and educator with our graduate programs and certificates.
Contact Us
Reading and Literacy Education
Aiko Yamada Mancini
Follow Us!