Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate

The Literacy Specialist graduate certificate is intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base that undergirds effective, equity focused literacy instruction of K-12 students from a range of backgrounds. Coursework in the Literacy Specialist graduate certificate is aligned with standards of both the International Literacy Association and the International Dyslexia Association. The Literacy Specialist graduate certificate is appropriate for all K-12 teachers, school administrators and supervisors, non-endorsed professionals whose work interfaces significantly with K-12 education (e.g., museum, public-service agency), and those interested in home schooling. Coursework in this certificate is designed to lead to an additional endorsement as a Literacy Specialist for teachers licensed in the state of Tennessee, pending transcript review*, passing appropriate licensure exams, recommendation of the faculty advisor and three years’ teaching experience. *Students seeking this certificate must have completed a minimum of one reading or literacy instruction course and one special education course.

Campus Code

Distance Education
Knoxville Campus

Graduate Certificate Type

Add-On
Stand-Alone

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants can be currently admitted to a degree program at UTK or can apply solely for the Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All 15 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for a certificate.

Academic Standards

Students must maintain a 3.50 graduate GPA in all certificate courses in the program and complete the requirements within five years of applying for a certificate.

Credit Hours Required

15 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• REED 529 
• REED 537 
• REED 540 
• SPED 516  
• REED 605 

Non-Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.