Reading Specialist License

Develop additional expertise in literacy instruction and leadership.

Reading specialists are critical to supporting the sustainability of teacher development and quality literacy programming in today’s schools and districts. The reading specialist program at Carroll University is designed to extend the reading teacher license for educators wishing to pursue additional expertise in literacy instruction and leadership. The program reflects the Wisconsin Administrator (WA), the International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards and the International Dyslexia Association Standards. Successful completion of the reading specialist coursework will result in the credentials and qualifications to obtain a license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as a Reading Specialist.

The Reading Specialist program is designed to provide candidates with two options:

  1. The license only pathway allows candidates who already hold a Reading Teacher license and a Master of Education degree (or the equivalent) the option of enrolling in 9 credits of coursework to qualify for the Reading Specialist license.
  2. A Master of Education with a concentration in Literacy is a 30-credit program and includes the requirements for licensure as a Reading Teacher (#1316) and a Reading Specialist (#5017). A Dyslexia Interventionist Certificate can also be added to the program for an additional 4 credits.

    The graduate program in education requires the completion of research related to the course of study. This experience allows candidates to study an issue in greater depth that is important to their professional interest or to improve practice.

Courses are scheduled one weekend per month on Friday night and Saturday mornings.

  • Hybrid delivery model
  • Virtually Fridays 5–9 p.m. | In-Person Saturdays 8 a.m.– 12p.m.

Content courses for Reading Specialist licensure (9 credits)

  • EDU672: Literacy Program Evaluation and Implementation
  • EDU673: Leadership in Literacy
  • EDU679: Literacy Leadership Practicum

More Resources

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