The Reading Specialist Licensure Endorsement* program is intended for educators who wish to complete the requirements for state licensure as a reading specialist in the State of Kansas.  It is best for currently licensed teachers who already hold a master's degree, in states where an additional endorsement in reading education is required.

*This academic program satisfies the requirements for the reading specialist licensure endorsement in Kansas.  It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements in his or her state and to apply for the licenses or endorsements necessary for his or her career goals. No program can guarantee licensure.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to a completed online application, applicants also need to provide:

  • Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate course work, showing a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).  Both bachelor's and master's degrees earned in a regionally-accredited college or university are required.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Statement of career goals/purpose
  • 3 letters of recommendation from professional or academic references.  Each letter should be attached to the online recommendation form when it is submitted by the recommender.
  • Application fee of $30

For students whose native language is not English, official scores on the TOEFL (IBT) of at least 23 in Listening, Reading and Writing must be submitted for consideration of admission to the Curriculum and Teaching Department. The IELTS (Academic) official score is also accepted, with an overall score of at least 6.5, and scores of at least 6.0 in Listening, Reading and Writing. The PTE (Academic) official score is also accepted, with an overall score of at least 58 and scores of at least 53 in Listening, Reading and Writing. The TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores must be achieved not more than two years prior to the semester of first enrollment. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores may not be required if applicant meets the verification of English proficiency requirements as specified below:

Graduation with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from an accredited English-medium U.S. college or university, or a college or university in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, English-speaking province of Canada, or an English-speaking Caribbean country, with instruction conducted in English. Degrees earned online may not be used to verify English proficiency.

Please note:  Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.

Courses required for the Reading Specialist Licensure Endorsement program (21 credit hours)

C&T 740 - Foundations of Reading: Process, Theory, and Instruction

C&T 741 - Comprehension and Study Strategies for Use with Multiple Texts

C&T 840 - Emergent Literacy and Beginning Reading

C&T 841 - Early Intervention in Reading Practicum

C&T 842 - Supporting Striving Readers: Adolescent through Adult

C&T 843 - Supporting Striving Readers: Practicum

C&T 844 - The Reading Program Coordination and Supervision