Certification as Reading and Writing Specialist

The University of the Cumberlands offers the Sixth Year ( Kentucky's Rank I), which involves thirty (30) graduate hours above a Master's degree. Candidates for this program must have a Master's degree in Education, a valid teaching license, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and passing scores on Licensure Examinations (PRAXIS, NTE, etc.).

Candidates can receive Reading and Writing P-12 Certification through one of the following three avenues:

1. The M.A.Ed. in Reading and Writing.

Course requirements for the M.A.Ed. degree program are:

• Professional Education:
  • EDUC/EDOL 539 The Modern Elementary School OR EDUC/EDOL 538 The Modern Secondary School OR ELMS 531 The Middle School
  • EDUC/EDOL 630 Research Methods in Education
  • EDUC/EDOL 631 Advanced Human Behavior, Development and Learning
  • EDUC/EDOL 632 Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Reading and Writing Specialist:
  • READ/REOL 531 Reading & Writing Foundations (or two undergraduate reading and writing method courses)
  • READ 630 Diagnosis of Reading & Writing Problems
  • READ 631 Diagnostic Procedures in Teaching Reading & Writing Practicum
  • READ 632 Strategies for Reading & Writing Program and Practicum

The remaining hours may be selected from the following courses or others that meet with advisor's approval.

• READ 534 Reading & Writing Readiness in Primary Programs
• READ 535 Methods & Materials for Teaching Language Arts in Public Schools
• READ 536 Young Adult and Children's Literature
• READ 633 Advanced Strategies in Reading & Writing Materials
• EDTV 634 Teaching Reading Comprehension and Practicum
• ENGL 531 Writing Instruction for Content Areas
• ENGL 532 Methods and Materials for Teaching English

Candidates can receive Reading and Writing P-12 certification through the Kentucky Rank I (30 hour) program. To achieve Rank I status eighteen (18) of the thirty hours must be at the 600 level.

The requirements for Reading and Writing certification at the Rank I level include the required courses:

• READ/REOL 531 Reading & Writing Foundations
• READ/REOL 630 Diagnosis of Reading & Writing Problems
• READ/REOL 631 Diagnostic Procedures in Teaching Reading & Writing Practicum
• READ/REOL 632 Strategies for Reading & Writing Program and Practicum
• Six additional hours of Reading and Writing or English electives.

3. Candidates can also receive Reading and Writing P-12 certification by simply taking an eighteen hour program which includes the above Reading and Writing Curriculum.