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Online Graduate Certificate Literacy Coaching Education

About the Certificate

Literacy specialists or coaches work with students who are struggling with reading and writing. They serve a variety of roles in schools, including implementing interventions with students, working with teachers on reading instruction, creating literacy success plans, and examining literacy data to inform professional development. This graduate certificate does require an internship course where students apply their skills with children and teachers in school settings.

To receive the K-12 Literacy Specialist add on certification in Missouri, students must complete all coursework, pass the required assessment (Praxis exam 5302 Reading Specialist), and submit an application and transcript to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The literacy specialist graduate certificate is open to all persons holding a bachelor’s degree and a current teaching certificate in early childhood, elementary, special education, or a related field. Once admitted to the program, the student must take the designated courses (provided in the curriculum section). In order to receive a Graduate Certificate, the student must have an average cumulative grade point of 3.0 or better in the certificate courses. Once admitted to the program, a student will be given six years to complete the program.

Students admitted to the Literacy Specialist Certificate Program will have non-degree graduate status, however, they will earn graduate credit for the course they complete. Students who do not have all of the prerequisite courses necessary to begin the courses in the Literacy Specialist Certificate Program will be allowed to take ''bridge" courses at either the graduate or undergraduate level to prepare for the formal certificate courses.

For online students applying to a graduate certificate program. (No GRE/GMAT required.)

Certificate Applicant 

The following courses listed are aligned with the new Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education professional requirements for literacy specialists. The minimum number of graduate credit hours for this certificate is 12, the maximum is 15. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The University reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed. 

The following course is a prerequisite for students who do not have graduate-level literacy coursework or equivalent training.

Prerequisite course: 
EDUC 5500
 Evidence-Based Practices For Literacy Instruction

Total Courses: 6 (12 credit hours)

Required courses:  
EDUC 5565
 Comprehensive Literacy Program Development 3 credit hours
EDUC 6560
 Teacher Development in Literacy Instruction 3 credit hours
EDUC 6570
 Literacy Assessments 3 credit hours
EDUC 6581
 Literacy Specialist Internship I 1 credit hour
EDUC 6582
 Literacy Specialist Internship II 1 credit hour
EDUC 6583
 Literacy Specialist Internship III 1 credit hour

Any course transfers used for literacy specialist certification must be approved by the education department and by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. No substitutions are allowed if the student is pursuing literacy specialist certification in Missouri.

Course availability may vary by semester (see course listings). Students should consult their academic advisor for appropriate alternatives or substitutions if needed.

Please refer to the Education section of the graduate catalog for more information.

This program is 100% online: no campus visits required.

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two classes per semester and finish the program in one year.

  • Delivery: 100% online
  • Calendar system: Semester-based 
  • Typical program length: 1-2 years
  • Typical course load: 1-2 courses a semester (fall and spring)

Courses are offered asynchronously, meaning they do not have regular meetings. They may consist of various media and content — such as online discussions, videos, quizzes and recordings — that students review and complete at the time of their choice.

Learn more about our graduate programs at Missouri S&T by attending one of our virtual information sessions.

Attend Info Session

Pathway to a Master's Degree

Are you a working professional who wants to earn your master's degree, but you don’t have time to take the GRE/GMAT? Then start in a graduate certificate program. Graduate certificates were designed as a pathway to a master's degree.* The admission requirements are more relaxed and credit earned will count toward your degree. Once you successfully earn your graduate certificate, you can continue with the corresponding master's degree without having to take the GRE/GMAT.

*Completion of a graduate certificate program does not automatically guarantee admission into a corresponding graduate degree program. To continue in a master’s degree program, you must apply.

Questions?

Missouri S&T Online Education

We are here to answer any of your questions about Missouri S&T’s online education programs.

Email Us  Request Info

Sylvia Skouby
Associate Director for Online Admissions

573-341-6903  |  stgrad@mst.edu

Education

Beth Kania-Goshe, PhD
Professor and Chair of Teacher Education and Certification

573-341-4120  |  bkaniagoshe@mst.edu
Department Website: education.mst.edu