Reading Specialist Certification Programs

What do you need to get a reading specialist certification degree? To be certified as a reading specialist or teacher, a bachelors degree in reading or literacy is required.

You can find many great online universities for working to get this degree. A great part of earning this bachelors degree is your love of reading. For those that would like to transfer their love of reading to those students that have trouble with it, becoming certified is the next step after obtaining your bachelors degree. Consider the frustration of children that cannot grasp the written word. Think of the rewards you will experience in watching the children you help to start reading well. Many of these students work their way through school barely passing all their subjects due to not being able to read as they should. Helping even one of these children learn the wonders of reading and how far in the world it can take them is worth everything you might have to do to be a reading teacher.

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Selected Reading Specialist Certification Degree Programs

Capella University

• EdD - Reading and Literacy
• MS - Reading and Literacy

Benedictine University

• Master of Education - Reading and Literacy

Walden University

• M.S.Ed - Adolescent Literacy and Technology (Grades 6-12)
• M.S.Ed - Elementary Reading and Literacy (Grades pre K-6)
• M.S.Ed - Elementary Reading and Mathematics (Grades K-6)
• M.S.Ed - Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (Grades 6-12)

Grand Canyon University

• M.Ed.: Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (No IR, No Cert.)
• M.Ed.: Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Secondary Education (No IR, No Cert.)

Reading Specialist Certification Preparation and Training

Of all the subjects in the classroom, reading is the most important of all. Without being able to read, students will fall behind in every other subject. Imagine the student that cannot read the instructions for math problems or is not able to read that assigned chapter in the science textbook. If you would like to be able to help those students having trouble reading, then you should find out what you need to do to get your reading specialist certification degree.

Some courses you will be requires to complete are about the components of reading and curricula, reading techniques that work well in the classroom, how to successfully access reading skills of students, and keeping up with the latest in reading research. Some of these skills will be learned in an actual classroom setting.

Some states require you to be certified under the regulations required by that particular state. Some have varying rules you must follow to become legally ready to teach. However, you can get the certification that is easily transferable from state to state by taking the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards exam.

Passing the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards exam may take up to three years to complete. You will need to provide a complete portfolio of all your experience and educational history. This portfolio should express your ability to be able to teach reading well.

Language and Reading Specialist Careers

In addition to teaching at various levels in K-12 as well as college teaching, language and literacy, and reading specialists can work as educational consultants or instructional coordinators. They can also work as private tutors, for tutoring services, for book companies, and for publishers. Literacy and reading specialists work with other teachers and school administrators to help develop reading programs, strategies, and assessment tools. With the implementation of new federal standards for literacy education, the demand for literacy consultants has increased.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The average salary of reading teachers varies from state to state and from school to school. The budget set aside each year might differ from one year to the next. However, most reading teachers make around $50,000 a year. Your salary might be slightly lower if you are employed in a public school system. The benefit of watching your students grow into reading masters is a part of the payment that is priceless. While it may take a few years to gain your reading specialist certification degree, the pay off will certainly be well worth your time and dedication.

Reading specialist certification programs and curriculum and instruction degree programs