Reading Teacher Certificate
The Reading Teacher (1316) Certificate Program addresses the needs of students, school districts, and the community in building competency in literacy.
Teachers who complete this certificate program gain significant benefits. The Reading Teacher Certificate Program expands teachers' knowledge in literacy and trains them to become teacher leaders. The program reinforces many of the best practices in teacher education including constructivism, reflective practice, and transformation. The certificate program also allows participants to apply for financial aid.
This program is offered off campus - either online, face-to-face, or blended - throughout the state. Learning outcomes for the Reading Teacher Certificate Program are based on the standards from the International Literacy Association and have been approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as satisfying the competencies for a 1316 license.
This program is a cohort model with 14 or more admitted students. The program is offered to start in spring and summer terms.
Admission
To qualify for admission to the Reading Teacher (1316) Certificate, a candidate for the program must have:
- Meet all UWL graduate application requirements.
- Hold a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited institution.
- Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.85 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
- Evidence of teaching license (i.e. copy of teaching license).
- Provide a resume that documents at least one year of full-time teaching in a K-12 setting and current employment in a K-12 school.
- Complete a successful criminal background check (initiated by UWL).
Criminal background check
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC and to complete their portion of the process prior to the deadline specified in their admission letter. Program candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s).
Out-of-state applicants
This program may meet other states' licensing requirements. An applicant's state may or may not require that the applicant get a Wisconsin teaching license to be endorsed for their program of study. The Wisconsin licensing process may include taking coursework in Native American Studies (ACT 31). The applicant should check with their state licensing board prior to applying to ensure they understand the appropriate pathway to meet their state's licensing requirements.
Curriculum
(18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RDG 601 | Literacy and Language Development for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| RDG 702 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| RDG 703 | Literacy Assessment and Instruction | 3 |
| RDG 704 | Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| RDG 714 | Reading Teacher Practicum | 3 |
| RDG 715 | Children's and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Program completion and eligibility for certification
Eligibility for Reading Teacher (1316) certification is contingent upon:
- Satisfactory completion of Reading Teacher (1316) Program coursework, associated experiences, and artifacts.
- Cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
- Complete DPI employment verification form indicating at least two years of employment as the teacher of record in K-12 schools or hold a WI Lifetime Educator License.