Preparation for Reading Specialist Certification

Reading Specialist Certification

Completion of the required courses will enable the student to apply for official certification. The certificate authorizes the holder to serve as a Reading Specialist in grades PreK-12 in any accredited school in Oklahoma. This is a graduate level program. A list of required courses is provided. This is an add-on certificate prior to the end of the program. Candidates must hold a standard teaching certificate prior to the end of the program.

Prerequisites

1. Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree is a prerequisite for entrance into the Reading Specialist Program.
2. A minimum of six semester hours of course work is required in the following areas as a prerequisite to the program. These courses cannot be counted as part of the program, but are required for the certificate. These courses may be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.
   • One course in reading or language arts methods
   • One course in children’s or adolescent literature OR an IME or ELED course in Area 2 in the program.
3. For standard certification, the applicant must have completed the course SPED 4123 Teaching Individuals with Disabilities (or an equivalent course).

General Guidelines

1. The applicant must satisfy all requirements related to formal admission to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma. Applications may be completed online at www.uco.edu/graduate/.
2. For the standard certificate, the applicant must hold a Master’s Degree granted by an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
3. For individuals holding a Master’s degree, previous graduate course work may, upon approval of the Program Coordinator, satisfy curricular requirements. Individuals seeking approval of previous course work should contact the Program Coordinator for a review of their graduate course work.
4. The applicant must successfully complete the Oklahoma Subject Area Test in the area of Reading Specialist prior to being issued a certificate.
5. All courses taken for Reading Specialist Certification must be completed at the graduate level.
6. The program for Reading Specialist Certification includes 32- 34 semester hours of graduate course work for the standard certificate. The specific courses are outlined below.
7. A minimum of the last nine semester hours of course work must be completed at the University of Central Oklahoma for certificate recommendation from UCO.
8. For recommendation for certification applicants must not have more than six (6) hours of ‘C’ in coursework required for certification.
9. Applicants must successfully complete all key assessments as designated by the program.

Reading Specialist Certificate Courses: 32-34 Hours

TOTAL HOURS: 32-34 HOURS

Individuals who hold teacher certification via the State Department of Education’s Alternative Certification method will need to be recommended for adding advanced certification area(s) by UCO. However, the individual will remain part of the State Department of Education’s Alternative Certification Placement Program.