Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia

Overview

Offered through the Mary Frances Early College of Education Special Education (EDSE) program, the University of Georgia’s 15-hour, online Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia provides teachers, clinicians, and specialists with specific knowledge related to reading and language development, assessment, instruction, and remediation of reading disability. The program is aligned with the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. Students may either be pursuing a graduate degree in another UGA program or department or may apply to the graduate school for non-degree status. Students who have completed a GaPSC-approved initial preparation program (e.g., B.S.Ed.; M.A.T.) are eligible for the Dyslexia Endorsement upon completion of the Online Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia program.

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

Admissions Requirements:

1. Must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., education, communication sciences and disorders, educational psychology) from an accredited institution before enrollment in this program;

2. Must have a competitive GPA in all previous college coursework.

The graduate certificate is open to degree-seeking students and non-degree-seeking students.

Students applying to The University of Georgia must be accepted by the Graduate School. Students who are not currently enrolled at UGA should apply as a non-degree-seeking graduate students. 

Requirements are based on UGA’s Graduate School admissions standards for non-degree students.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

• Summer: May 1
• Fall: July 1
• Spring: December 1

Cost

Tuition & Fees  

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year. 

Based on 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $6,405 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $17,730 in tuition for an out-of-state student.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $411 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

• Textbooks
• Exam proctoring fees
• Technology upgrades 

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

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.

Corporate Assistance

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

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). 

Financial Aid

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

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

The Online Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia courses are aligned with the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading and provide students with practical, hands-on training and experience with research-based methods for reading instruction and intervention. Students will receive: (a) foundational content that will result in a comprehensive understanding of dyslexia and other learning disabilities, (b) direct training in research-based curricula, and (c) fieldwork in delivering reading instruction to elementary and secondary students who struggle in reading.

Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia requires 15 semester hours (completed in 3-5 semesters) of specific reading and language-related coursework, and a summer practicum in Intensive Reading Interventions in which students will demonstrate proficiency in working in small groups or one-to-one with students at risk for or who are experiencing reading difficulties.

Courses

Course	Title
*EDSE 7120E	Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities
EDSE 7150E	Designing Reading Interventions for Special Education
EDSE 7020E	Assessment of Dyslexia and Other Learning
EDSE 7250E	Assessment and Intervention for Struggling Writers
**EDSE 7770E	Practicum in Intensive Reading Interventions
	*Must be taken in the first semester of the program **Must take SPED 7150E prior to taking SPED 7770E

Licensure

This program is designed to enable you to practice in a licensed profession through initial certification in the state of Georgia. If you apply to this program from a state outside of Georgia with the plan to work in Georgia, you will be given the opportunity to attest to that intention when you apply.

An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.

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

Faculty

News & Events

Testimonials

“I was pleasantly surprised to find out how well my professional skills as a speech-language pathologist fit into the world of dyslexia and dyslexia intervention. You have to be disciplined and not wait until the last minute to complete assignments. A planner is your friend”

Kendrall Graham, ’19

“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be. When students have a champion at school, they develop a greater sense of self-worth and belief in their academic abilities. The fear of failure is removed, and students take more risks and set higher goals for themselves. In my classroom, my scholars know that I am their champion.”

Tiffany Smith, ’10

“The most rewarding part of the coursework and practicum of the dyslexia program is being able to immediately apply what I’m learning in my coursework to my students. There is no delayed return; I can apply what I learn in my readings on ADHD or Dyslexia to my students the next day. I can see daily how beneficial this program has been to me – to my students. I use what I’ve learned to inform instruction, and because of that, my students are making greater and greater gains in reading.”

Haley Faulkner, ’19

Contact Information

Contact the online Graduate Certificate Coordinator for answers to any additional questions you may have. 

Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-452-7945.

Request Information