Department Contact:
Director: Mrs. Melissa Peppetti, mpeppetti@francis.edu, 814-472-3068
Program Description:
The Reading Specialist Certification program 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 and through leadership. The program seeks to facilitate the 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 ensure that their developing skills and knowledge are applied beyond the theoretical text instruction.
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 2 years of part-time study
Accreditation Statement:
The teacher preparation and certification programs offered at Saint Francis University at the undergraduate and graduate level are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17126; (717)783-6788. PDE approved preparation programs are designed to prepare and certify educators to teach or serve in the schools of the Commonwealth. www.education.pde.gov
Admission Requirements:
Students must apply for admission into the program. The Graduate Education department 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.
Admissions Deadline:
The program has rolling admission. New cohorts begin every other summer semester.
Technical Standards or Essential Functions:
Saint Francis University is committed to the principle that no qualified individual, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits or services, programs or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination by the University as required by the Americans with Disability Act. The Education Department adheres to the policies for academic accommodation as determined by the Center for Academic Success. The Center’s Office of Disability Services assists eligible students in receiving basic services as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate academic accommodations for students who experience physical or mental disabilities. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation to the accessibility coordinator upon request of the accommodation.
Progression and/or Retention Criteria:
The Reading Specialist Certification courses build upon each other. Candidates must successfully complete the following pre-requisites before completing the remaining courses: EDUC502 Language and Reading Development and EDUC503 Reading Foundations.
A minimum average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. If a student falls below the 3.0 requirement he or she will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Student’s continued eligibility in the program will depend on the GPA in the semester following the low GPA. If the student’s GPA does not go above the 3.0, after being placed on probation, the student is subject to dismissal from the program.
Certification and/or Licensure:
Upon completion of the program requirements, candidate must pass the Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Praxis test. Upon successful completion of this test, candidate will be recommended by Saint Francis University for certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Teacher Information Management Systems (TIMS).
Total Credits Required:
24 credits
Note:
Students will have 100 hours of clinical observations upon completion of this program. These clinical hours may be completed in the student’s current place of employment with instructor permission.