Classroom Reading (P-12) (CERT)

Graduate Certificate in Classroom Reading (P-12)

Unit: College of Education and Human Development
Program Webpage
Department:  Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education
Academic Plan Code(s): CRE CGRO

Program Information

This program is completed 100% online.

The Classroom Reading P-12 graduate certificate is a 5-course program designed to increase the literacy teaching expertise of elementary teachers and prepare leaders in literacy education. It is the same coursework as the current CRE non-degree Kentucky endorsement. The  graduate certificate adheres to the ILA Standards for Literacy Professionals (2017) and provides multiple experiences for candidates to learn in collaboration with classroom teachers, administrators, P-12 students, and local and professional communities. 

The graduate certificate program is not designed to lead to initial licensure in any state and is intended to prepare certified Kentucky teachers to earn an endorsement to their license.  Although some or all of the program's coursework may count toward stand-alone licenses or endorsements in other states, this program is not an approved endorsement program in states other than Kentucky.  Out of state students who intend to pursue licensure or an endorsement should check with their state licensing board before making a decision about whether this program will meet their needs.  For Kentucky certified teachers, completion of the certificate leads to a teaching endorsement.

The Teaching Classroom Reading P-12 program can be completed as stand-alone certificate, embedded as a specialty area within the Masters (MEd) in Teaching and Learning, Education Specialist (EdS) in Curriculum and Instruction, or Rank 1 programs.  The state-level endorsement Program requires the PRAXIS exam Teaching Reading (5204).

The learning outcomes for the Graduate Certificate in Classroom Reading program are as follows:

1. Increase teachers’ foundational knowledge of evidence-based literacy instruction in literacy development that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of their preK-12 learners.
2. Collaborate with school partners to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive literacy programs and school-wide literacy initiatives.

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the graduate school or current enrollment in a graduate program at the University of Louisville.
• Bachelor’s Degree with undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (minimum 3.0 for graduate work)
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• Valid Teaching Certificate (Certified teachers outside Kentucky should be advised that we cannot guarantee the program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. As part of the admission process, we require a written statement confirming interest in the program for personal development and understanding that the program is designed to meet Kentucky certification requirements only.)
• Content prerequisites, as applicable
• Signed KY Code of Ethics and Signed Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement
• International applicants with transcripts that are not in English, in addition to submitting official copies of native language records, must also submit a notarized, verbatim translation in English prepared by an appropriate university or government official. The records must show both the degree granted and all coursework taken during the course of study. Applicants who are submitting transcripts from outside the United States must verify their records by submitting them to one of the following organizations: World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and other NACES approved evaluators found here https://www.naces.org/members.
• Students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by successfully completing one of the following:
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination – minimum score: 6.5
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination – minimum scores: 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL
• Duolingo English Test with Subscores examination – minimum score of 105 and exam must have been taken after January 1, 2020
• Note: International students who have earned a degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. are not required to complete the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Cumulative GPA > 3.0
Each course GPA > C
Target or Above on ILA Standards in Course Hallmark Assessment Tasks
CAEP Standard RA1 Six sub-components