Program Overview

Online Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate

Literacy Specialist

Degree: Graduate Certificate Major: Literacy Specialist College: College of Education, Health & Human Sciences Format: Asynchronous

Program Overview

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers an online Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate for educators and administrators who want to elevate their understanding of literacy education and provide students with the most effective communication tools. This fully online program is offered for teachers with at least two years of teaching experience who have completed REED 530 (or equivalent) with a specific, stated professional interest in literacy education.

Become Certified as a Literacy Specialist

Literacy is a core value embedded in societies and relates to academic performance, professional career, and citizenship. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), we support educators who strive to make a difference in their learners’ lives and future careers. Thus, we work with educators and administrators to enhance their understanding of how reading and writing development, and on ways to support learners from the initial stages of reading, spelling, writing, and thinking acquisition to later stages of critical thinking through technology, writing, while promoting self-regulation, motivation, and a growth mindset.

Admission Requirements

• Students seeking this certificate must have completed a minimum of one reading or literacy instruction course and one special education course.
• Applicants can be currently admitted to a degree program at UTK or can apply solely for the Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All 15 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for a certificate.

Featured Courses

Prior to recommendation for the Literacy Specialist license, each candidate will undergo a summative review of data from all five courses, along with ProCADS criteria, and will need to have passed the appropriate Praxis exam (#5301).

• REED 529: Assessment and Instruction with Emergent Learners (Pre-K-2)
  • Assessment and Instruction, theory and practice in emergent literacy. Focus on the development of early reading and writing, on assessment, and differentiated, evidence-based instruction of learners from preschool through second grade.
• REED 537: Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Learners (3-5)
  • Assessment purposes, Pedagogy, and Instruction in grades 3 to 5. Focus on assessment and instruction of advanced decoding, spelling, writing, and reading comprehension for elementary learners in grades 3 to 5.
• REED 540: Literacy Assessment & Instruction with Adolescent Learners (6-12)
  • Methods of teaching all secondary students to successfully engage in literacy processes.
• REED 605: Transforming, Supporting, and Coaching for Effective Literacy Instruction
  • Analyzing school literacy needs, developing effective professional development, and coaching adult learners.
• SPED 516: Effective Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities and Other High Incidence Disabilities
  • Determining and implementing best practices in assessment and instruction, both remediation and accommodation strategies, for students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and other academic difficulties.

Program Details

• Credit Hours: 15
• Cost Per Credit: $744 (in-state), $819 (out-of-state)
• Admission Terms: Fall, Spring

Related Programs

• English as a Second Language (Pre K-12) Graduate Certificate
• Special Education Comprehensive K-12 Graduate Certificate
• Special Education Interventionist K-8 & 6-12 Graduate Certificate