Reading Specialist Certification

This certification is for professional educators who already hold a master's degree and have ccompleted an approved K-12 reading specialist preparation program. If you have completed the NIU M.S.Ed. in Literacy Education with Focus on Reading since 2002, you are qualified for this certification. 

Requirements

  • Must hold a professional educator license (PEL)
  • Two years of full-time teaching experience
  • Have a master’s degree or higher
  • Complete an approved K-12 reading specialist preparation program
  • Successfully pass the reading specialist content test (176)
  • Successfully pass a test of basic skills

Targets

Deep understanding of reading and reading instruction; understands how to diagnose reading disabilities and how to teach and support the education of students with reading disabilities; understands how to interpret and use reading research; leadership in curriculum design and implementation; provides leadership in staff development; communicates and work with the public and other professionals; secures and manages instructional resources and has high professional standards.

Interested? Read how to apply or contact Nicholas Slicer at nslicer@niu.edu.