Reading Education Endorsement and Certificate

As an endorsement, this program is recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). As of Fall 2024, it is also a UGA certificate program. Therefore, completion of the program will be noted on the GaPSC certificate and on the UGA transcript.

Students who take these graduate-level reading endorsement courses are either not seeking a degree or are enrolled in another degree program and choose to infuse these courses into their program (in consultation with their advisor). Reading endorsement courses are offered both online and in-person.

To qualify for a reading endorsement to be added to your initial teaching certificate, you must:

• Successfully pass an introductory course in reading instruction and assessment.
• Complete an application for admission. Beginning in January 2017, applications must be submitted and approved at least one semester prior to course enrollment.
• Successfully complete a three-course series specific to initial certification grade band levels (P-5, 4-8, 6-12, P-12).
• Will complete artifact assignment for each course and submit to Xitracs in eLC.
• Refer to the endorsement program completion and certification checklist (PDF) for details about the endorsement program process.

Learn more about our online program

Highlights

1. Earn a reading endorsement on your Georgia teaching certificate
2. Complete the course series on its own or as part of a degree
3. Take classes on campus or online
4. Get hands-on experience through the university’s Reading Clinic

Curriculum

The reading endorsement courses focus on literacy development and instruction in early childhood, content-area literacies, and new and digital literacies. These courses also offer opportunities to work with youth who experience difficulties in reading.

All endorsement courses are now offered online, with some also offered on the Athens campus.

Some courses may be easily incorporated into other degree/certification programs in education. You must consult with your advisor or program coordinator to determine if some, if not all, of the reading endorsement courses can be embedded into your program of study (PDF) .

Effective in the Fall 2015 semester, our reading endorsement program has changed.

As of Fall 2015, you must follow the new program of study, which includes three required courses focused on P-5, 4-8, or 6-12 levels.

For students with P-5 initial certification, the courses are:

• LLED 6420: Early Childhood Literacy Development and Instruction
• LLED 6060: Content-Area Literacies
• LLED 6020: A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic

For students with 6-12 initial certification, the three courses are:

• LLED 6060: Content-Area Literacies
• LLED 7910: New Literacies
• LLED 6020: A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic

For students with a 4-8 or P-12 initial certification, the three courses are:

• LLED 6060: Content-Area Literacies
• LLED 6020: A practicum experience in reading assessment and instruction at the UGA Reading Clinic
• Either LLED 6420: Early Childhood Literacy Development and Instruction or LLED 7910: New Literacies (choose one)

Our nationally recognized faculty will work with you to customize your degree program.

How to Apply

1. All applicants must complete a UGA Graduate School application .
2. Current UGA Graduate Students will be charged a $25 application fee. Make sure to answer “Yes” to the question “Are you a current student?”.
3. Non-UGA students will be charged a $75 application fee.
4. Select your campus from the drop-down menu.
5. Select “Endorsement/Certificate” from the Degree Level drop-down menu.
6. Then select the endorsement/certificate program from the Intended Program drop-down menu.
   Reading Endorsement/Certificate Program Code: CERT_2RED

Graduates Apply Now

Admissions Requirements

All students must have successfully completed (grade B- or higher) an introductory reading instruction and assessment course prior to applying to or beginning this program. Acceptable pre-requisite courses include:

• LLED 3425: Reading Instruction and Assessment, PreK-5
• LLED 3420: Reading Instruction in the Elementary School
• LLED 3430: Reading Assessment in the Elementary School
• LLED 3520: Teaching Reading in the Middle School
• LLED 3530: Content Area Literacies Content Area Literacies for Middle School
• LLED 4010: The Teaching of Reading
• LLED 6010: Survey of Reading Instruction PreK through Grade 12
• LLED 6030: Teaching Reading in the Secondary School
• LLED 6070: Middle School Reading
• An equivalent course from another accredited institution

The three required courses for the reading endorsement must have been completed at UGA within five years of application. We do not accept transfer credits for the three required reading endorsement courses.

Required Documents for Application

Please include the following documents with your application:

• Current resume/CV that includes your Georgia teacher certificate number
• Statement of purpose
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended

Deadline to Apply

Domestic Applicants

• Fall Semester: July 1
• Summer Semester: April 1
• Spring Semester: November 15

International Applicants

• Fall Semester: April 15
• Spring Semester: October 15
• Summer Semester: February 15

Applying for Graduation

All endorsement/certificate candidates must apply for graduation using the graduation application available in Athena upon completion of the last endorsement class by a given deadline for the semester in which they intend to graduate.

Deadline to Apply to Graduate

• If you are graduating in Fall semester, apply to graduate by October 15.
• If you are graduating in Spring semester, apply to graduate by March 15.
• If you are graduating in Summer semester, apply to graduate by June 15.