This plan is replacing the Reading Specialist Endorsement beginning fall 2024.
This graduate certificate program provides you with in-depth skills and tools to diagnose and remediate reading difficulties in students K-8 classrooms. In addition, the program also prepares students to lead school and district wide reading programs. The required course work leading to the certificate is approved by the Arizona Department of Education for ADE’s Reading Specialist Endorsement.
This certificate program provides teachers with knowledge of student reading disabilities and challenges students face learning to read. Diagnostic tools are covered in detail and are used as part of an intervention plan developed to maximize student success in learning to read. Reading Specialists can custom design interventions that work with students. While the course work has a K-8 focus, reading specialists provide leadership and technical knowledge in classrooms, schools, districts, committees and community organizations.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 24 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Arizona Endorsement | May prepare student for Arizona Endorsement. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
This new academic plan is within the continuing professional master’s in education elementary level coursework. Reading, along with math, is one of the most important skills being taught in elementary school classroom. Due to a number of challenges such as second language learners, low socio-economic families with limited resources, and learning disabilities, many young children experience a great deal of difficulty breaking the “code” of reading. The demand for reading specialists in Arizona is very high. The course work provided in this certificate program provides skills for diagnosis and remediation as well as reading program supervision for a school wide effort. ECI 551 Clinical Practice in Reading is a hands-on practical component that requires working with students in classrooms through the diagnosis and remediation process. Courses are taken in a sequential order because the theoretical as well as foundational background must be mastered before these teacher graduate students can effectively identify, diagnose and apply effective remedies for students who are struggling to read. The capstone, ECI 687 requires a Reading Action Research project in each teacher’s classroom. Practicing elementary and middle school teachers and their students are the populations best served by this program.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Take the following 24 units with a GPA of 3.0.
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.