Reading Specialist Certificate

Chairperson
Dr. Tina J. Jacobowitz

REQUIREMENTS

The Reading Specialist Certificate requires the applicant to be a certified teacher who already holds a Masters degree (in any field). The Reading Specialist Certificate differs from the Master of Arts in Reading along two dimensions:

a. Applicants may credit any number of previous, successful and relevant graduate courses towards obtaining the Reading Specialist Certificate, even if this previous coursework has been used to obtain a graduate degree. This cannot be done with the Master of Arts in Reading. Course credits are negotiated with advisors once an applicant is formally enrolled in the program.

b. Only 30 credit hours are required (ELRS 503, Methods of Research, and READ 505, Seminar in Reading Research, are not required courses in the Reading Specialist Certificate program). The Master of Arts in Reading requires 33 credits hours and that students take ELRS 503, Methods of Research, and READ 505, Seminar in Reading Research.

I. Core Foundation Course (3 semester hours)

READ 500, The Nature of Reading, 3 credits

II. Required Courses in Reading (21 semester hours)

READ 501, Techniques of Reading Improvement in Secondary Schools, 3 credits
READ 502 Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs, 3 credits
READ 503, Literature for Adolescents, 3 credits
READ 508 Critical Thinking and Literacy, 3 credits
READ 511 Case Studies of Reading Difficulties, 3 credits
READ 513 Supervised Clinical Practicum, Part I, 3 credits
READ 514 Supervised Clinical Practicum, Part II, 3 credits

III. Elective Courses in Reading (6 semester hours)

READ 504 Literacy Needs of Adult Learners, 3 credits
READ 510 Field Experience in Reading, 3 credits
READ 519, Language and Early Literacy Development, 3 credits
READ 522, History of Literacy and Media, 3 credits
READ 524, Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms, 3 credits
READ 525, Literacies, Digital Technologies and Learning, 3 credits
READ 600 Workshop in Contemporary Issues in Reading, 1 - 3 credits

V. Additional Department Requirements

Supervised clinical experience within the framework of required courses (e.g., READ 513) and/or in addition to course work. Arrangements will be made to provide this experience within the Montclair State University Literacy Enrichment Center.

Minimum: 30 semester hours

Link to NJ Department of Education Requirements for Licensure:
http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/

Additional Note: The coursework requirements for the Reading Specialist Certificate are full embedded within the Master of Arts in Reading program. Completing the Master of Arts in Reading program therefore means you are simultaneously eligible for the Reading Specialist Certificate, provided you are a certified teacher and can show evidence of having taught full-time for at least two years.

ADMISSIONS

Applicants need to hold standard teacher certification and a Masters degree (in any field) before applying. To matriculate in this program students must be able to demonstrate appropriate interest and ability in the field of literacy education. Two letters of recommendation in support of the application are required, and may be obtained from the school system superintendent, the building principal, or other appropriate individuals. Students are also required to follow the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services application requirements, which includes submitting GRE scores as part of the process. Once accepted into the program, students also need to have completed two years of classroom teaching prior to graduation.

DEADLINES

Credentials are assessed as soon as they are received. Neither program has a specific application deadline; however, the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services recommends that students submit their credentials as far in advance as possible from the semester they plan to begin their studies to ensure a timely review of their application.

TO APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/app.shtml