Online Professional Certificate in Reading
Improve Literacy With a Professional Studies Certificate – Reading
Online
16 Months
21 Credit Hours
$490 Per Credit
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition, and more.
Enhance Your Expertise and Positively Impact Young Readers
- Apply By: 08/17/26
- Start Class: 08/31/26
Elevate your ability to diagnose and solve reading challenges when you earn a Professional Studies Certificate – Reading online. This CAEP-accredited program deepens your familiarity with standardized and informal assessments as well as intervention strategies.
This program is intentionally aligned with Virginia licensure requirements, and state approval is currently in progress. Shenandoah is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Certificate Details
- No application fee
- Flexible, asynchronous courses
- 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Our Literacy-Focused Curriculum Supports Your Goals
7 Courses
Flexible Schedule Options
The SU online Professional Certificate – Reading curriculum prepares you to effectively lead schoolwide literacy initiatives that drive continuous improvement in learning outcomes. You’ll engage in a 3 credit practicum designed to help you gain experience with learners reading below grade level. You’ll also participate in an on-site 3-day Children’s Literature Conference where you’ll learn from world-renowned authors, illustrators and literacy leaders.
Flexible online coursework is designed to help you develop expertise in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and vocabulary development. Emphasis on promoting literature-rich classroom environments, integrating literacy across disciplines and individualized instruction are key components of this certificate program.
Curriculum intentionally aligns with Virginia standards for licensure, including the embedded Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam.
Required Online Professional Certificate – Reading Courses
This course is designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning as well as the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. Reading instruction includes phonemic awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension strategies. Writing instruction includes writing strategies and conventions that support the composing/writing expression and usage/mechanics domains. This course includes proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development, the writing process and fostering appreciation of a variety of fiction, non-fiction text and independent reading.
The course emphasizes the diagnosis of reading disabilities, the uses of standardized and informal diagnostic testing, report writing, interpretation of research and application to reading problems, and the selection and evaluation of materials used for remediation.
Course description currently under development.
Learn more about the Children’s Literature Conference
The language development of children from school years Pre-K through 12 is discussed. Consideration is given to instructional strategies that focus on language acquisition and its relationship to reading and the communicative arts of spelling, writing and speaking.
This course includes a study of the teaching and learning strategies necessary for developing basic literacy skills in the content areas. Teacher candidates will focus on assessing and improving PreK-12 student achievement in content disciplines by implementing effective, research-based practices for teaching reading and writing. In practica, teacher candidates will tutor children struggling with literacy.
This course examines central issues related to literacy instruction, assessment and leadership. Emphasis is placed on the use of assessment data to plan literacy instruction and to organize school-wide reading programs. In addition, the course presents an overview of the literacy coach’s role in improving the literacy performance of students, as well as effective coaching practices and strategies related to improvements and innovations in classroom teaching and literacy instruction.
A supervised clinic in which the student is required to diagnose the needs of individual children. Emphasis is placed on the remediation and treatment of the diagnosed reading difficulties.
Go Further With Teaching Licensure or Endorsements
Continuing your education will unlock rewarding opportunities in your teaching career. Some positions in education require a teaching licensure, certification, or endorsement. Licensure and certification requirements vary among states, but Shenandoah is committed to helping you graduate ready to succeed in a vital and evolving industry.
To explore your options for becoming a professional licensed teacher, or to learn about add-on teacher endorsements, visit our Teaching Licensure and Certification page.
Gain the Expertise To Diagnose and Treat Reading Difficulties
Open doors to exciting new career opportunities helping students achieve greater confidence as readers with Shenandoah’s online Professional Certificate – Reading program. This CAEP-accredited program supports your pursuit of endorsement as a reading specialist through curricular relevance and collaborative learning. Additionally, our strong reputation among area schools and community partners will help you get noticed as a rising educator with respected credentials.
Advance Your Teaching Credentials
Reading Specialist $62,197 per year1
Literacy Coach $60,000 per year2
Value of a Certificate
Designed for current teachers who already hold a master’s degree, the online Professional Studies Certificate – Reading accelerates your path to attaining the reading specialist add-on endorsement. You’ll benefit from instruction by supportive faculty who leverage their significant experience in educational settings to help you achieve your unique career goals. Small class sizes and individualized mentorship further speed your professional development.
Take advantage of a streamlined admission process that does not require standardized test scores, and fast-track your path to earning this career-focused certificate in as few as 16 months. Upon completion, you’ll possess the instructional acumen to strategically plan reading instruction that results in measurable academic growth in diverse student populations.
Help Students Read More Confidently When You Learn How To:
- Graduate prepared to meet licensure requirements and take on leadership roles in reading education.
- Learn to assess reading challenges and apply targeted interventions to help students succeed.
- Develop the skills to design, implement, and lead effective school-wide literacy initiatives.
- Use proven techniques to improve reading comprehension, fluency, and engagement across grade levels.
- Build a strong foundation in how language develops and supports literacy growth.
- Tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including those with reading difficulties.
- Work closely with teachers, specialists, and families to support student reading achievement.
- Analyze assessment data to inform instruction and monitor student progress.
What’s Needed To Apply for the Online Professional Certificate – Reading
Application Deadline 08/17/26
Start Date 08/31/26
Choose from multiple start dates to customize your schedule and get started on your Online Professional Certificate – Reading program quickly thanks to no application fee or entrance exam requirements. Review the information from the table below to check your qualifications and submit your application today.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0. However, applicants with a GPA below a 3.0 are welcome to apply and will be reviewed holistically |
| Transcripts | Transcripts from all previously attended institutions are required. Unofficial transcripts can be used for initial admissions review; official transcripts are required prior to enrollment. |
| Official GRE/GMAT Score | Not required |
| Additional Requirements | Applicants must have:
|
International Students
If you are an international student, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. To do so, you may be required to meet the minimum requirement for one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Fill out a Request for Information form to speak to an engagement specialist and learn more.
| TOEFL Minimum Requirement | 79 |
|---|---|
| IELTS Minimum Requirement | 6.5 |
| PTE Minimum Requirement | 53 |
| Duolingo Minimum Requirement | 105 |
How This Certificate Keeps Your Budget Intact
$490 Cost per Credit
21 Total Credits
The competitively-priced Online Professional Certificate – Reading program can be a savvy investment in your professional future. Prepare for new opportunities while unlocking increased earning potential as a valued educator who can help students become stronger readers. Pay your tuition one course at a time to minimize the financial challenges of advancing your education —reach new heights in your career.
Tuition & AidSources
- Payscale. “Average Reading Specialist Salary.” Retrieved February 23, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Reading_Specialist/Salary.
- Payscale. “Average Educational Coach Salary.” Retrieved February 23, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Education_Coach/Salary.