Reading/Literacy Coach Graduate Certificate
Literacy Coach Graduate Certificate
The graduate certificate in Reading/Literacy Coach is a 18 credit hour program. The certificate is designed to prepare the reading specialist for the unique role of literacy coach. To meet the International Reading Association Standards for Reading Professionals, the Reading/Literacy Coach program of study focuses on three major areas of preparation: 1) instruction, 2) assessment, and 3) leadership. An emphasis is placed on supervising and coordinating a school’s literacy program, including providing professional development, coaching techniques, curriculum design, program evaluation, and research on literacy and school change. The training for the Literacy Coach Graduate certificate is restricted to candidates employed as literacy coaches in school settings or approval from program advisor. Additional information on the Literacy Coach program can be obtained from the UALR Center for Literacy web site at www.arliteracymodel.com.
Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements
• A valid teaching license (Arkansas or other state)
• Favorable recommendations from faculty in the program.
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale)
or
• Grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses
or
• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
Conditional Admission
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution; a cumulative undergraduate GPA of no lower than 2.5; and a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score of at least 370 on the Verbal Scale, 440 on the Quantitative Scale, and 4.5 on the Analytical Writing Scale
or
Completion of at least 12 semester hours of graduate course work in another UALR graduate program or graduate program from another regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and no grade lower than a B
Graduate Certificate Program Requirements
The Literacy Coach Graduate Certificate degree is designed to prepare coaches in the areas of research-based literacy practices, professional experiences in reading, research in language and literacy, supervising and coordinating a school’s literacy program, coaching and mentoring techniques, school reform for continuous improvement, and curriculum design and evaluation of literacy programs. Two courses include a field practicum in literacy coaching with observation visits from university faculty. Prior to graduation, the students are required to submit an electronic portfolio of their work, including an original research project in a literacy area, a curriculum project, and supporting evidence of their success as a literacy coach specialist. The Literacy Coach Graduate Certificate program is designed for candidates with reading background who are employed as literacy coaches in school settings.
Reading/Literacy Coach Courses (18 hours)
Theory and Research (6 hours)
READ 7398 Theory and Practice in Literacy
READ 7395 Comprehensive Literacy Model for School Improvement
Practicum/Field Experiences (9 hours)
READ 8301 Supervision and Organization of Reading Programs
READ 8302 Professional Experiences in Reading
READ 8305 Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change
Curriculum Framework (3 hours)
READ 8304 Curriculum Design and Evaluation
Graduate Certificate Graduation Requirements
Successfully complete a 18 credit hour program of study with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Defend a Reading/Literacy Coach Chalk and Wire portfolio that demonstrates proficiency in program areas.