2022-2023

Reading Specialist Endorsement - Arizona Department of Education, Endorsement

Department of Teaching and Learning

College of Education

"Teaching reading IS rocket science." Those inspired by these words, put forward by Louisa Moats, literacy scholar and advocate, may be attracted to this endorsement, which will prepare them to meet state standards as a reading specialist. To qualify for this plan, students must have a valid Arizona teaching certificate and have a minimum of three years teaching experience. Courses are laid out in a sequenced plan.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

  • After you have completed the appropriate courses, you can obtain the endorsement by applying directly to the Arizona Department of Education. To receive an endorsement, you must also be certified to teach elementary, secondary, or special education; the endorsement alone does not certify you to teach in Arizona. All endorsements are granted through the Arizona Department of Education.

    Visit the Arizona Department of Education Educator Certification website for more information and access to the applications for endorsements.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 24
Arizona Endorsement

Prepares student for Arizona Endorsement.

Arizona Endorsement Requirements
  • For the K-8 State Endorsement, you must have:

    • A valid Arizona Teaching Certificate in Elementary, Early Childhood, or Special Education
    • Three years of classroom experience

    Graduate reading courses (24 units)

    Foundations:Leadership:Assessment Systems:Instruction:Content:Electives:Practicum:
    You may take reading endorsement courses as part of a Master's degree program. You may also take them independently.

    You must take these courses in a designated sequence.  

    Courses applied toward the Reading Endorsement must be in addition to those used to fulfill the requirements of the initial provisional or standard teaching certificate.