Graduate Certificate
Reading is a skill everyone can and should cultivate. But classroom reading can present a specific challenge for some learners. Students who struggle with reading can face compounding challenges in their education. It’s imperative that students feel supported in their reading ability. They should be surrounded by teachers who know how best to provide scaffolding when necessary and proper support to encourage and develop strong reading habits.
The online Graduate Certificate in Science of Reading and Special Education provides you with skills and pedagogical knowledge to be the support system your students need to find success in reading and their academic careers. The program is meant for current educators looking to build on their foundational skills to further champion their students’ well-being.
About the science of reading program
This graduate certificate covers strategies useful in all classrooms. Mizzou’s Department of Special Education faculty within the College of Education and Human Development have taken care in developing this program to ensure the skills you learn can be applied to learners of all grade and ability levels.
In continuing your education by completing this certificate, you may qualify to become a reading specialist or advance on your district’s salary track. Check with your school district for more information on how this certificate could affect your advancement.
Are you looking to further your education with a Master of Education degree? Credits from this certificate program can be applied toward an online Master of Education in Special Education. If interested in pursuing this master’s degree, notify your advisor of your intention prior to completing nine credit hours. You can then complete a change of degree program form.
Quick facts
Official name
Graduate Certificate in Science of Reading and Special EducationCampus
Program type
Graduate certificateAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Special EducationDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)Credit hours
12Estimated cost
$7,078.80*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Graduates of this program can continue their education careers and potentially shift into a role as a reading specialist depending on your district’s criteria.
Program structure
This program consists of four courses to be completed asynchronously. The certificate requires 12 credit hours to complete. You will not be required to visit campus during the program, but will have weekly coursework requirements.
Coursework includes
- Special education pedagogy
- Language and communication
- Science of reading foundations and applications
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
1 yearTypical course load
1-2 classes per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. Accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Faculty spotlight
Jamie Day is an assistant professor of special education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri. Broadly, her research revolves around strategies to attract, prepare and retain effective personnel for all multilingual students with disabilities. This includes researching special education teacher preparation and evidence-based literacy interventions for multilingual students participating in the special education process.
Jena Randolph is an assistant research professor and the training and education division director with the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Her experience has a focus on collaborative and coordinated care for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She is one of the primary developers of the Training Experts in Autism for Missouri (TEAM) program, which provides autism training and support to professionals across disciplines throughout the state and of the Self-Determined Transition Readiness through Individual Vocational Experiences (STRIVE) program, which provides direct instruction, work experiences and peer mentorship to enhance employment readiness for young adults with autism.
Erica Lembke is a Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri. Dr. Lembke's research interests include helping support teachers in data-based decision making through designing and implementing curriculum improvements in elementary and secondary grades. She also uses research to develop strategies to improve elementary students’ literacy and mathematics performance.