Reading Specialist Online Certification Program

The Reading Specialist Certification program aims to prepare students to work with individuals with a range of reading abilities and needs by introducing them to multisensory approaches to reading instruction, and to a variety of diagnostic tools for planning and evaluation purposes, as well as to monitor student performance and growth. Students will learn effective reading strategies and become exceptionally skilled and qualified to support students with reading needs as well as be able to provide leadership and coaching in the area of literacy to teachers and schools.

Designed for teachers who already possess an Instructional I certificate in PA or another State, the program aims to help students understand how literacy is a meaning making process, to offer different ways of exploring children's responses to a variety of texts, to enrich reading and writing in content area classrooms, and to teach them how to incorporate research-based approaches. Students will graduate with a Reading Specialist Certification as well as a Wilson Reading System^® (WRS) Level I Certification.

The WRS Level I Certificate will allow students to learn the intricacies of the English language, to teach a direct instruction multi-sensory language-based program, and to support students who need extra reading support. Students who have obtained a WRS Level I certificate within the past five years are eligible to transfer up to 10 credits towards the Reading Specialist Certification. Learn more about the WRS language program.

Graduates of the Reading Specialist Certificate program will have the opportunity to become reading specialists, reading interventionists, literacy coaches, literacy mentors, literacy program directors, and literacy specialists working in a community-based literacy center.

Program Features

• Drexel University is the first institution to include the core WRS Level I courses as a part of the core requirements. Students will receive a WRS Level I certificate in addition to a PA Reading Specialist Certification.
• Highly qualified faculty who have expertise in online teaching and are practitioner-scholars in the field of literacy.
• Fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Drexel's teacher education programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Flexible, completely online degree program that fits easily into your busy work and personal schedule.
• Credits transfer into the MS in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum program

CAEP Accredited Provider

The Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) accredits Drexel University School of Education educator preparation programs. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Drexel University meets rigorous national standards for education preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation.

Archived Webinars

• How is it only January? Survival Strategies for the Classroom Teacher
• Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum, Reading Specialist, and TESL Programs

State restrictions may apply to some programs.