Reading Specialist Certification

Director: Mrs. Melissa Peppetti

Associate Director: Mrs. Sherri Link

The Reading Specialist Certification is designed for teachers interested in pursuing advanced skills in literacy education. The program provides advanced study for elementary and secondary educators interested in increasing their professional knowledge base and skills in literacy through the curriculum. through leadership. The program seeks to facilitate students’ ability to be analytical, reflective decision-makers. Courses are designed to link educational theory and classroom practice for application in students’ current or future professional settings. Students will be prepared to complete the praxis exam for certification as a Reading Specialist.

Teachers need to know how to teach and to utilize a variety of methods designed to meet students’ needs and to maximize the probability of learning.  This course of study is designed to address all of the major components of reading, the best practices for instruction, the inclusion of fostering motivation to read, and the integration of reading with other related skills in the language arts.  In addition, candidates will be prepared to conduct appropriate and meaningful assessment of individual reading skills and interpret them for meaningful instruction, including individually administered diagnostic assessments and standardized group reading assessments.  Candidates will be required to engage in extensive field experiences to insure that their developing skills and knowledge are applied beyond the theoretical text instruction.

Admission Requirements:

Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education program will review all applicants throughout the year and candidates will receive an acceptance letter from the Director. In order to be considered for application, applicants must submit the following information:

• Online Application and $30 application fee made payable to Saint Francis University.
• Two letters of professional recommendation
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. If candidate’s GPA is less than 3.0; he or she may be accepted on a provisional basis while taking up to nine (9) credits. The student must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine credits to be admitted to the program. If these requirements are not met the student will not be admitted to the program.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed.
• Copy of Instructional Certificate
• Role of the Reading Specialist Paper