Reading Specialist

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Upon completion of our 24-credit program, you will be eligible for a K-12 Reading Specialist Certification. In order to obtain certification, graduates must pass the Praxis exam. The Reading Specialist Certification program conveniently offers courses online, hybrid, on campus and during the summer months. Our program can be completed in 18 months. You will study writing theories, literacy theories, literacy assessment and intervention and will have the opportunity to work in the Duquesne University Reading Clinic. In pursuing the Reading Specialist Certificate, you will have the option to further advance in your studies through the M.S.Ed. Reading and Literacy Education program by taking 4 additional courses, which can provide additional financial aid opportunities!

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Program Information

Upon completion of this 24-credit program and passing the Praxis exam, you will be eligible for a K-12 Reading Specialist Certification.

Degree

Certificate

Academic Department

Instruction and Leadership in Education

Duration

1.5-year

Required Credit Hours

24

Application Process

Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA*

*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.

International Applicants

TOEFL/IELTS

Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university outside of the United States..

Transcript Credit Evaluation

If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Rolling Admissions

Our M.S.Ed. Reading and Literacy Education program has a rolling admissions process. This means you can apply anytime throughout the year.

Required Documents

  • Duquesne University Online Graduate Application  - please select your term below:
  • Official transcripts
    • International applicants, please see the Transcript Credential Evaluation section in the Admission Requirements section above
  • Essay 
    • Please include an essay that addresses the following questions:
      • What does being a graduate student mean to you?
      • How do you plan to balance life, work and earning a graduate degree in reading and literacy education?

      • Our program provides completers the opportunity to apply for Reading Specialists Certification in Pennsylvania (PK-12). How will learning about developmental stages other than the one in which you teach make you a stronger reading teacher?
      • Why do you believe you and your students would benefit from you earning a M.S.Ed. in Reading and Literacy Education?

Process

Send official application materials to:

OR

  • Duquesne University School of Education
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    214A Canevin Hall
    600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282

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Reading and Literacy Education

Aiko Yamada Mancini

Program Manager

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