The Reading Education program area now offers the Reading Specialist certificate program. Teachers who hold an M.Ed. or an M.T. degree can now take advantage of this certificate program to add the state's endorsement to their teaching license. Attending classes as part-time students, teachers enrolled finish the program in 2-3 years' time, depending on courses selected. They can take advantage of the coaching element to the coursework as they become practicing teachers. The GRE is not required for admission.
At the end of the program, completers are eligible for the Commonwealth of Virginia's K-12 reading specialist endorsement to be added to their teaching licenses if they have also completed three years of teaching during which the teaching of reading was a primary responsibility.
The Curry School of Education is a state-approved program for the training of future reading specialists.
Program Life
The reading specialist certificate is available at the Curry School and through its off-Grounds outreach. Courses can be taken in a face-to-face and site-based format or online. The certificate consists of twenty-four (24) hours of coursework in the reading area and six (6) hours are in cognate areas as prescribed by the Commonwealth of Virginia for its K-12 reading specialist endorsement. The RVE exam is required for successful certificate completion.
Library@Curry
The Curry librarians are available to assist you with your research needs. See the Curry Off-Grounds Library Guide for more information.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
Completion of the online certificate application; letters of recommendation and transcripts of all previous degree work. The Graduate Record Exam is not required.
Application Due Date
Certificate application deadlines follow the degree deadlines: October 15 (for spring admission), February 1 (for summer or fall admission), June 1 (fall entry).
Applicants will be assigned an advisor when their application has been approved.
Degree Requirements
30 hours of graduate coursework as prescribed by the state for the K-12 reading specialist endorsement. Twenty-four (24) hours are in the reading area; 6 hours are in cognate areas. The RVE exam is required for successful completion. No requirements completed more than five years before the certificate is to be awarded may be credited toward this certificate.
Please check the RVE website for dates of the test administration.
http://www.ets.org/praxis/va
The score report should be submitted WITH the graduation application. Note: it takes approximately 15 days for the score to be reported.
Funding Opportunities
No university funding is available for this certificate; students may apply for federal financial aid.
Typical Length of Study
Typically, students complete their residency in two to three years, depending on the pace at which they elect to study (one course each semester with the possibility of two in the summer).
Full or Part Time:
This certificate is designed for working teachers. It is part-time unless an individual chooses full-time status in Charlottesville.
Course Overview
The reading specialist certificate consists of 30-hours of coursework in reading and cognate areas. Upon completion of the program, certificate completers who hold a Master's degree and who have completed three years of successful teaching during which time the teaching of reading is a major responsibility, can apply for the Commonwealth of Virginia's K-12 reading specialist endorsement to be added to his/her teaching license.
Reading Core (24 hours)
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EDIS 7700 Foundations of Reading Instruction
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EDIS 7710 Reading in the Content Areas
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EDIS 7720 Word Study: Language Structures and Phonics
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EDIS 5730 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 1
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EDIS 5740 Reading Diagnosis and Remediation, Part 2
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EDIS 7730 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis
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EDIS 7740 Remedial Practicum
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EDIS 7751 Literacy, Leadership and Coaching OR EDIS 7750 Effective Reading Programs
Cognates (6 hours)
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EDIS 7310 Children’s Literature; or EDIS 5410 Adolescent Literature
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EDLF 7200 Child Growth and Development; EDLF 5010 Child Learning and Development; or EDLF 7160 Human Growth and Development
If you are interested in the online listings, please click here.
Our current course offerings can be found in the Student Information System (SIS) or the Curry course database.
Sample Jobs After Graduation
Classroom teaching, reading specialist, Title I, interventionist, and coaching positions. Many graduates become supervisors in districts’ central offices.
Endorsement Procedure:
Upon completion of the program and after three years of successful teaching during which time the teaching of reading is a major responsibility, a graduate can apply for the Commonwealth of Virginia's K-12 reading specialist endorsement to be added to his/her teaching license. This process can begin as soon as the RVE has been successfully completed. Please email Assistant Dean Joanne McNergney (jmh8j@virginia.edu), providing: (1) last 4 digits of your SSN, (2) birthdate, (3) your name as it should appear on your license, and your current address. The form will be completed and mailed to the applicant's home address, so that an official transcript* and payment can be sent to the VA Dept. of Education.
*An official transcript is available through the Office of the Registrar.
Contacts
State Coordinator:
Mary Abouzeid, ma5y@virginia.edu, 335 Bavaro Hall, 434-924-0750
Associate State Coordinator:
Ottilie Austin, aof2b@virginia.edu, 335 Bavaro Hall, 434-924-6338
Northern Virginia Center:
Carrie Simkin, crn3t@virginia.edu, 703-536-1116
Richmond Center:
Julie Gray, jjj7e@virginia.edu, 804-662-7464
Newport News Center:
Susan Thacker-Gwaltney, sft2s@virginia.edu
We are always looking to improve our programs and welcome your feedback.
