Reading Specialist Certificate online
Gain sought-after credentials and qualify for the New Jersey reading specialist certification with this accelerated program designed for experienced, master’s-prepared teachers.
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Program Overview
Here’s a look at our online reading specialist certificate program
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
30
Credit Hours
The 100 percent online Reading Specialist Certificate coursework adheres to the standards of the International Literacy Association and prepares you for the NJ Reading Specialist Certification (Endorsement 3310). Dedicated faculty, including two Fulbright Scholars, guide you through transformative curricula that align with your unique goals. Whether your passion is to serve in classrooms or coach and lead fellow literacy teachers, this affordable, financial aid-eligible certificate fits your aspirations.
WP supports your advancement in this field through our decades-long legacy of innovative, career-defining reading programs that expertly integrate clinical and practicum aspects. You will focus on diagnosing reading difficulties and creating effective literacy programs designed for children, adolescents, and adults.
Complete two additional courses to become eligible for the New Jersey Supervisor Standard Certificate Endorsement (Code 0106).
Upon completion of this online certificate program, you will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language, and use this knowledge to evaluate and implement literacy curricula for all learners
- Understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement; inform instruction and evaluate interventions; participate in professional learning experiences; explain assessment results and advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders
- Exhibit knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity and then apply this knowledge to classrooms, schools, district, and community
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners; integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways; and foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment
- Recognize the importance of participating in and facilitating ongoing professional learning as part of career-long leadership roles and responsibilities
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language, and use this knowledge to evaluate and implement literacy curricula for all learners
- Understand, select, and use valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement; inform instruction and evaluate interventions; participate in professional learning experiences; explain assessment results and advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders
- Exhibit knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity and then apply this knowledge to classrooms, schools, district, and community
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners; integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways; and foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment
- Recognize the importance of participating in and facilitating ongoing professional learning as part of career-long leadership roles and responsibilities
Also available:
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
30
Credit Hours
Need More Information?
Tuition
Plan with pay-as-you-go tuition
Online education programs from William Paterson University offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Specialist Certificate | $624.55 | $1,873.65 |
Tuition breakdown:
$624.55
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Check our calendar for apply and start dates
William Paterson University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/27/25 | 1/5/25 | 1/8/25 | 1/17/25 | 1/22/25 | 3/16/25 | 7 weeks |
| Spring II | 3/24/25 | 3/2/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/11/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer I | 5/19/25 | 4/27/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/14/25 | 7/6/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer II | 7/14/25 | 6/22/25 | 6/24/25 | 7/3/25 | 7/9/25 | 8/31/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall I | 9/8/25 | 8/17/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/29/25 | 9/3/25 | 10/26/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall II | 11/3/25 | 10/12/25 | 10/15/25 | 10/24/25 | 10/29/25 | 12/21/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/5/25
Apply Date
1/27/25
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Begin the rewarding path toward earning your certificate online!
Admissions
Apply online—find what’s needed for the reading specialist program
At William Paterson University, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Reading Specialist Certificate online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
The requirements include:
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Two years of teaching experience
- No GRE required for admission
You must meet the following requirements for admission to the Reading Specialist Certificate online program:
- Submit online application and $50 application fee
- Master's degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Two years of experience as a New Jersey licensed teacher
Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
William Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
Courses
Explore courses in our online reading specialist certificate program
For the Reading Specialist Certificate online program, you must complete a total of 30 credit hours.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course provides a historical perspective on theory and practice in the teaching of reading as well as a survey of current research, theory, and practice related to reading acquisition and reading processes from the perspective of developmental and cognitive psychology, social constructivism, and linguistic and cultural influences.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This graduate course includes the advanced study of reading and writing, structured literacy, and methodology that incorporates multisensory instructional approaches for prospective literacy specialists to work with P-12 learners. Particular emphasis will be given to learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Teaching and learning processes that foster respect for all learners and promote their success will be explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course focuses on a new definition of children’s literacy. Through personal and shared inquiry, multiple literacies (including media, intertextual, and visual literacies) are examined in the context of children’s literacy development, literacy curriculum design and development, state and national standards, current research and theory, and classroom practices and materials. Critical issues including the digital divide, politics and literacy, parents and appropriate technology use, and gender and ethnic bias are explored. This course meets 3 credits toward the Supervisor’s Certificate.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course focuses on creating a new definition of adolescent and adult literacy. Current literacy research, theory, curriculum design, development, materials, and teaching practices for adolescents and adults using various print media including multimedia are explored. Through personal and shared inquiry, multiple literacies—including media, intertextual, visual, and critical literacies—are examined. Particular attention is given to the areas of study skills, selection of appropriate materials, comprehension problems, reading and writing programs, and the development of lifelong literacy habits. Critical issues including the grey digital divide, censorship, politics and literacy, and plagiarism and Web quests are explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course will provide the prospective reading specialist with the background, knowledge, strategies, and skills necessary for diagnosing and prescribing for the remediation of problem readers. Basic to any diagnosis are a thorough understanding of students, their individual differences, the reading processes, and the reasons children have problems. Prospective specialists will work with students and develop a case study through interviews, observations, reading and writing samples, and formal and informal measures. All of the above measures will be utilized to obtain an accurate and objective assessment of the client’s performance. The information gained will be examined and studied for the specific purpose of planning, developing, and executing an individual educational, remedial program for the reader with difficulties.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course is concerned with methodology, strategies, and skills in developmental and remedial reading programs. The reading/writing process is examined in depth from its earliest stages through secondary school so those graduate students acquire the background and knowledge to work with readers who have problems at different levels. In planning specific remedial sessions, graduate students study the data collected for each client from CIRL 620. Students also focus on child development, the environment, the family background, language, culture, and the child’s strengths and weaknesses. Students then plan, develop, and execute remediation sessions based on their findings and specific needs of the client. Through clinical sessions, shared discussions, literacy circles, outside readings, research, audiovisual tapes, and modeling, graduate students also study the problems faced by disabled readers. Focus is on planning and executing effective remedial sessions for improving the client’s literacy skills
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course continues to develop reading specialists who are decision-makers and problem-solvers. Students have the opportunity to grow professionally and become more knowledgeable about reading, writing, and oral language processes through readings, conversations with colleagues, viewing each others’ classrooms, and reflections on practicum teaching and research experiences. Students begin a classroom inquiry project that develops into their master’s thesis. Prerequisite(s): ELRL 6200 AND ELRL 6210
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This graduate course is designed to study various process models for developing, implementing, and evaluating K-12 reading programs. By examining the roles of classroom teachers, reading specialists, reading supervisors, staff developers, and principals, students will understand how personnel responsibilities affect program development. Students will apply this understanding to their evaluation of the total reading program in one school system. Prerequisite(s): ELRL 6200 AND ELRL 6210
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course will focus on research, literature and current issues of literacy and content area instruction for K-12 English Language Learners (ELLs). The course will emphasize instructional strategies and techniques in literacy and content area instruction for students who are at the beginning or intermediate stages of English language acquisition. This course is designed for reading specialists, graduate students in education, and in-service teachers who have ELLs in their classrooms (not for ESL majors). Practical, hands-on ideas as well as theory will be covered. Effective integration of multicultural literature and multilingual materials to enhance ELLs’ reading and writing across the curriculum will also be addressed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
An investigation of literacy and content print and nonprint media. Considers questions related to materials, language sources, modern programs, instructional systems, and organizational arrangements appropriate for use in today’s classrooms and alternative settings. Special attention is given to the preparation of teacher, parent, and librarian guides to literature; adaptation of materials for children and youth; and analysis of recent research studies.
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