The Reading Endorsement is an online program specifically for PreK-12 classroom teachers wishing to add expertise to their current State of Georgia Teacher Certification. The endorsement is designed to help meet the literacy needs of the students, regardless of content area. The program meets the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission’s Georgia Reading Endorsement. Emphases include understanding readers and the reading process, linking assessment and instruction, and exploring specific instructional strategies that can be applied in individual classroom contexts.
If a student is about to graduate with a graduate degree, but still needs additional classes for the Reading Endorsement after they graduate, they need to submit an application for non-degree admission.

Reading Endorsement
Course Number, Name, and Description Hours

READ 7100: Foundations of Reading, Literacy, and Language

A comprehensive, scientifically-based foundation in language and literacy processes, development, and the ways in which they interrelate. Emphasis is placed on selecting and evaluating literacy curricula and materials and creating literacy-rich learning environments anchored in digital and print literacies

 3

READ 7130: Evidence-Based Instruction for Language, Reading, and Writing Development

Prerequisite: READ 7100. An exploration of the instructional implications related to language, reading, writing processes, and orthographic knowledge. Emphasis is placed on principles of explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction for teaching reading and writing as well as on assessing student learning and evaluating instructional practices. Recommended for fall or spring only due to field experience requirement.  

 3

READ 7115: Diagnosis and Correction of Language, Reading, and Writing Difficulties

Prerequisite: READ 7100. Selection and administration of appropriate literacy assessment and analysis of data to inform instruction to meet the needs of all students, including those with limited English proficiency, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. The course provides appropriate language, reading, and writing interventions to support student learning. A field experience is required, but is possible in fall, spring, or summer.

 3

Total Hours

 9

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 1.       How long does it take to complete the online Reading Endorsement?

This 3 course, 9 semester hour program can be completed in no more than a year, depending upon the number of courses a student is able to successfully complete each semester. For students who are unable to enroll full-time, courses are offered on a continuous basis allowing for part-time enrollment.  

 2.       What are the admission requirements?

Applicants must have clear/renewable teaching certificates (T-4) with an overall bachelor’s degree GPA of 2.75 or higher. For the Reading Endorsement, students can enroll as non-degree seeking.

 3.       Is the program designed as a cohort that determines a specific order for coursework?

No, students may enter and/or complete the endorsement courses during any semester.

 4.       What is the estimated cost for tuition? 

 Estimated cost for the Reading Endorsement is $3080.

Dismissal Policy: Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted PRIOR to Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.

Contact: Dr. Barbara Radcliffe, Program Coordinator  229.333.5659 (office); or bjradcliffe@valdosta.edu