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Endorsement in Reading Education

Endorsement in Reading Education

Jennifer Graff

The creation of authentic and accessible reading materials, ensuring youth have consistent and reliable access to those materials, and offering opportunities to talk with others about what they read are all essential to the livelihood of youth.

Jennifer Graff, Ph.D.

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Overview

If you are certified to teach in Georgia, our reading specialist endorsement may be added to your teaching certificate. Offered through the renowned  Mary Frances Early College of Education, the University of Georgia’s online reading endorsement program provides certified classroom teachers with focused immersion in the teaching of reading and encouragement of literacy. Georgia teachers from pre-K to grade 12 obtaining degrees with a focus or major other than Reading Education will benefit from this three-course sequence designed to enhance literacy instruction and practice. The endorsement program is only valid for Georgia educators who have or will have a professional certificate at the bachelor’s or higher certification level in any teaching field.

It is possible to get a Reading Endorsement added to any teaching certificate in Georgia. The Language and Literacy Education Department has been approved by the State Professional Standards Commission to offer the Endorsement.

How to get a reading endorsement added to your initial teaching certificate:

  • Successfully complete one of the following introductory courses in reading instruction and assessment: List of acceptable courses.
  • Successfully complete a three-course series specific to initial certification grade band levels (P-5, 4-8, 6-12, K-12)
  • Successfully complete a reading endorsement portfolio via Folioteck
  • Apply for the reading endorsement to be added onto your teaching certificate through UGA College of Education’s Office of Student Services upon successful completion of the program.

Related Programs:

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn Endorsement:  9 (credit hours)

Maximum Hours Transferable into Program:  N/A

All courses for the Reading Endorsement must have been completed after July 1, 2000 when the reading endorsement certification went into effect.

Admission Requirements

Students who are not currently enrolled at UGA should apply to the graduate school for the Graduate Certificate in Reading Education and are not required to take entrance exams and submit letters of recommendation.

Reading Endorsement Program Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit online to the Graduate School Admissions. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International
  2. Select Campus – Online
  3. Statement of Purpose – Submit to the Graduate School online in your application 
  4. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission. 

International Applicants – must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Reading Endorsement Program Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: April 1

International Applicants

  • Fall: April 15
  • Spring: October 15
  • Summer: February 15

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website for current tuition and fees.

Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. Potential additional costs include textbooks, exam proctoring fees, and technology upgrades.

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

  • Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

Reading Endorsement  Program Structure

Students in this fully online reading endorsement program will take a minimum of 9 credit hours.

Course Sequence (Any Semester)

For students with P-5 initial certification

CourseTitle
LLED 6420ELiteracy Development and Instruction in Early Childhood
LLED 6060E Content Area Literacy
LLED 6020EChildren With Reading Problems – A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic

For students with 4-8 or 6-12 initial certification

CourseTitle
LLED 7910ENew Literacies
LLED 6060E Content Area Literacy
LLED 6020E Children With Reading Problems – A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic

For students with K-12 initial certification

CourseTitle
LLED 6060EContent Area Literacy
LLED 6020E Children With Reading Problems – A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic
LLED 6420ELiteracy Development and Instruction in Early Childhood
OR LLED 7910ENew Literacies

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Faculty

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Contact Information

Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-452-7936.

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