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School of Education Reading Specialist Add-on Certification

Graduate Teaching Certification

Earn your 17/5017 Add-on License

Do you believe in increasing outcomes for all students? Earning your Reading Specialist license will be a journey in which you can increase your own expertise, ground your thinking in research and dedicate time to shape your initiatives to improve learning for students, K-12th grade. Students for this program must already have a master’s in education degree AND the Reading Teacher (316) Teacher License/Certification to be accepted into this program.   

Program Benefits  

  • courses are 100% online
  • courses can be completed in one year
  • no travel to campus is required for weekend or night classes
  • complete your field experience in your district to impact your district and students
  • taught by experienced reading specialists
School of Education

Why choose the Reading Specialist Add-on program at UW-Stevens Point?

Teachers who have a master’s degree and reading teacher license (316) can complete this reading specialist (17/5017) add-on license with nine (9) graduate credits and complete the coursework in 12 months.

School of Education
School of Education

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Add-on Program

By the Numbers

9
Credits
1
Year
US Dollars450
Per Credit + Fees

Courses and Requirements

Students for this program must already have a master’s in education degree AND the Reading Teacher (316) teacher license/certification to be accepted into this program.

Students for this program must already have a master’s in education degree AND the Reading Teacher (316) teacher license/certification to be accepted into this program.

​Courses Semester Credits
EDUC 750: Guiding & Directing Reading Programs
Leading the school improvement process in the area of reading.  Apply qualitative action research to examine school reading programs.
Summer 3
EDUC 749: Strengthening Professional Practice
Building professional capital to improve teacher expertise and learning outcomes. Field experience includes planning professional development.
Fall 3
EDUC 751: Reading Research
Review reading research and reflect on the influence of contemporary issues in literacy on reading educators and student reading achievement.
Spring ​3

To earn a licensure/certification, students must pass the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). At UW-Stevens Point, our program includes preparation for the FoRT through two literacy courses and an on-site preparation workshop.

Those pursuing a license as a Reading Specialist and hold a lifetime administrative license at the time they apply for their new add-on license do not need to pass FoRT in order to add the Reading Specialist license.

How much will it cost?

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Tuition and Costs

We recognize that cost is essential when determining which program is best for you. Tuition, segregated fees, and a distance education fee combine to determine the program’s total cost, and each item is priced on a per-credit basis. There is an additional $25 administrative fee per semester of enrollment. For questions about tuition or more information, please reach out to Student Financial Services.

Students enrolled in an add-on licensure program are considered non-degree seeking and will not be eligible for financial aid. If students combine their add-on licensure with the master’s in education degree, they are degree-seeking and are eligible for financial aid.

Are you Ready to Apply?

To apply to this program, please follow the steps below.

  1. Apply to the School of Education and submit:
    1. All unofficial transcripts (including transfer credits)
    2. Teaching license
    3. Background check – must be from the last six months.
  2. Once you have been accepted into the program, you will apply to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as a non-degree seeking student.
  3. Once you have been accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, you will be emailed instructions to set up your student account and register for classes.
  4. Upon completing the UW-Stevens Point reading add-on program, you can complete your DPI licensing application by following this link: Apply for your add-on licensure/certification through the UW-Stevens Point School of Education.
Master's in Education

Add a Master’s in Education

Are you interested in earning your Master’s in Education? Why not use the credits from this add-on licensure/certification to count towards your degree? The M.S. in Education degree requires 30 graduate credits, and these courses can be used to count towards your degree. Learn more about our master’s degree and how you can earn both a degree and an add-on licensure/certification at the same time.

Meet your Faculty and Staff

Our instructors consistently achieve exemplary ratings and strive to utilize innovative instructional strategies in an online environment. We are available to assist our students and care deeply about their needs.
Amber Garbe

Amber Garbe

  • Assistant Professor – Education
  • Literacy Coordinator
  • Reading Methods & Elementary Social Studies Methods
Jacquelyn Sernau

Jacquelyn Sernau

  • Associate Lecturer – School of Education
  • Coordinator – Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)
Rayvn Knipple

Rayvn Knipple

  • Graduate Programs Assistant – School of Education
  • CPS University Staff Common Council Representative
715 346-2048
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DPI Accreditation

UW-Stevens Point’s teacher education programs are accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The United States Department of Education requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Following is this disclosure information for this program:

  • The requirements of this program meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: Wisconsin
  • The requirements of this program do not meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: Not applicable
  • The requirements of this program have not been determined if they meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming; District of Columbia; American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands