Introduction

This online graduate certificate program offers educators and leaders nationwide a deep dive into literacy development, assessment, and instruction and equitable educational access for all children.

Are you looking for a flexible and individualized certificate plan that deepens your culturally responsive and socially just pedagogy and practices? Designed for literacy educators across the U.S., this 12-credit certificate focuses on applicable strategies and skills you may use immediately in your school. This certificate focuses on instruction, intervention, assessment, and engaging approaches to teach literacy to learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and support them to thrive in school and beyond.

This certificate is a valuable learning experience in itself. Those who complete the certificate may also continue to earn the MA in Reading and Writing with Reading Specialist Endorsement, or the MA in English Education to pursue rewarding careers as: Reading specialists, literacy leaders, secondary English language arts teachers, curriculum specialists, and literacy instructional coaches.

Certificate completers are recognized for:

• A deep understanding of literacy development and instruction aligned with the Science of Reading.
• Expertise in literacy curriculum design, instruction, literacy interventions, and assessment to address the needs of all learners, including children from diverse backgrounds in grades PK-12.
• Engagement in teacher action research projects related to culturally responsive and sustaining literacy instructional and assessment inquiries. 
• Knowledge of literacy coaching skills needed to effectively support other teachers in professional development, sharing best practices, and improving literacy instruction.

Certificate Structure

The fully online certificate totals 12 credit hours and consists of four graduate courses. All courses may be applied directly toward a full master’s degree in Literacy Education while also fulfilling the requirements toward a Colorado Reading Specialist Endorsement. Additional courses and applications are required for the master’s degree with a Reading Specialist Endorsement. The certificate may be completed in four semesters. Students can begin in any term.

Note: Courses are subject to modification given changes in Colorado Department of Education standards. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select four of the following:		12
LCRT 5020	Equity and Joy in Reading Instruction
LCRT 5810	Language and Literacy Use in Schools, Homes, and Communities
LCRT 5795	Teaching and Learning with Diverse Children's Literature
LCRT 5201	Teaching and Learning with Diverse Adolescent Literature
LCRT 5055	Literacy Assessment & Informed Instruction
LCRT 5720	Responsive Writing Instruction
LCRT 5730	Disciplinary Language and Literacy
Total Hours		12