Program Overview

Reading Specialist Certification

The University of Houston College of Education offers a program to become a certified reading specialist through the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction program, with an emphasis in Reading, Language Arts, and Literacy. This program is offered online only.

Program Handbook

The program handbook is available for students accepted into the reading specialist certification program, providing answers to most questions.

Requirements

To be admitted into the program, students must meet the following basic requirements:

• Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher (based on the last degree earned)
• Hold a valid Texas teacher certification
• Have at least a bachelor's degree
• Currently be teaching at a Texas TEA-approved public or private school

Reading specialist candidates are only admitted in the fall semester of each school year. The University of Houston typically has a high admission rate for those who meet the state requirements.

Program Highlights

Once formally admitted into the certification program, students must complete the following:

• 200+ clock hours of content and pedagogy (5+ courses)
  • For the master's degree, additional courses will be required
• 160+ practicum hours
• 135+ observation minutes by a UH field supervisor

Certification

To earn certification, students must:

• Successfully complete all coursework
• Complete all required practicum hours and observations
• Complete the degree program
• Have already completed two years of classroom teaching experience in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited public or private school
• Currently be teaching in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited public or private school
• Pass the state TExES 151 Certification Exam

Other Certification Options

Other certification options available include:

• Teacher
• Principal
• Superintendent
• Educational diagnostician
• School counselor