Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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. Home department: Theory and Practice in Teacher Education .

Campus Code


Knoxville Campus
Distance Education

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

Non-Course Requirements


To receive the certificate, students must:

  1. complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form and
  2. through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.