Reading Specialist Certification
Program Overview
The TLAC Reading Specialist certification program prepares certified teacher practitioners who wish to strengthen their understanding of literacy for application in their classroom, school and/or district.
The 21-credit hour certification pathway is embedded in the 36-hour M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction- Literacy Emphasis and may be completed as a ‘certification only’ program for participants who already hold a master’s or higher graduate degree.
Program Details
Certificate: Texas Reading Specialist EC-12
Program Delivery: Online or On-Campus
Admission
Application Deadlines: October 1 or March 1
Interested in applying? Review the application information at Teaching, Learning & Culture Master’s Admissions.
Certification Requirements
Texas certificate issuance requires a candidate to:
- hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate
→ A TEA ID# must be claimed at the time of admission into the program - hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (IHE)
- complete 160 hours of documented field experience (RDNG 605)
- secure a passing score on the required TExES Reading Specialist (151) exam post-program completion
- have a minimum of two (2) completed years of classroom teaching experience in a public, charter, or accredited private school
→ may be completed before, during or after coursework
After completion of certification requirements, program participants will be recommended for Reading Specialist Certification when documentation of all the above items are submitted to the Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture, SEHD, Texas A&M University.
Please note that certificate issuance is also contingent upon the successful completion of all certification coursework and practicum requirements.
Certification Coursework
For those seeking certification, there are seven specific RDNG classes that must be completed to fulfill the coursework requirements for the State of Texas Reading Specialist certification:
| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hrs. | Semester(s)
Available |
| RDNG 602 | Teaching Reading in Elementary Grades | 3 | Fall, Summer |
| RDNG 603 | Using Advanced Literacy to Teach & Learn Across Disciplines | 3 | Spring |
| RDNG 604* | Reading Diagnosis | 3 | Fall |
| RDNG 605 | Practicum in Literacy Intervention | 3 | Spring |
| RDNG 609 | Foundations of Reading Instruction | 3 | Spring |
| RDNG 616 | Organization and Supervision of Reading Programs | 3 | Summer |
| RDNG 620 | Literacy and Language | 3 | Fall, Summer |
*RDNG 604 is a prerequisite for RDNG 605
Additional Information
All candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as a teacher. TEA will perform a preliminary background check, for a fee, in the event there may be something on the candidate’s record that may prevent certification eligibility.
Credit for Military or Non-Military Service, Training, or Education:
Candidates may be able to apply prior or ongoing military or non-military training or education toward educator preparation program requirements for professional certificates. Such training or education may not count toward internship or practicum requirements and must have been provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years and be directly related to the certificate being sought. A candidate’s prior coursework will be evaluated by academic advisors and/or TLAC Reading Specialist faculty/staff.
Advisors
Sydney Zentell
Academic Advisor IV
Faculty
