Since January 2013, in compliance with a directive from Pennsylvania Department of Education, all candidates for certification are required to complete (or submit official transcripts to document that they have completed) the "9+3" Chapter 49 requirements. This means that candidates need to complete nine credits that address specific Special Education competencies and three credits that address English Learner competencies. Candidates can earn the three credits that address the English Learner competencies by taking REED 521, a core course in the master's program.
The certification program is designed to qualify candidates for the Reading Specialist K–12 Certification. Pennsylvania recently instituted additional course requirements to obtain its Reading Specialist K-12 Certification.
The Reading Specialist Certification component of the program consists of 27 credit hours of required course work. Candidates for Pennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification also complete the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Chapter 49 requirements, which includes nine credits of Special Education, or a total of 36 certification credits. The nine credits of Special Education include: REED 520 Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities, SPED 550 Nature and Needs of Exceptional Individuals, and SPED 551 Inclusionary Practices. Please note that Chapter 49 also requires three credits of teaching English learners. This requirement is fulfilled by candidates' taking REED 521 Reading and Language Development for Diverse Learners.
When candidates have completed their Reading Specialist Certification, they may pursue related coursework in Literacy Coaching.
Admissions Requirements
For admission into the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Reading, candidates must meet Graduate College admission requirements and deadlines. Additionally, admission into the Reading Specialist Certification program requires an Instructional I Pennsylvania teaching certificate and a GPA of 3.0. The Department of Reading allows students to begin their program in any semester.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available through the department. These are awarded based upon merit and achievement to full-time students in the graduate program.
Graduate assistants do not teach classes, but they assist with research and complete projects assigned by professors. Responsibilities of the graduate assistant may include conducting research, preparing learning centers, and proofreading.
Graduate assistantships are awarded for the first year of full-time study, with the possibility of extension through the first summer. Prospective students should apply for a graduate assistantship at the time of original application to the program, using the application form provided by the Graduate School or online.