Graduate Certificate in Reading

The online Graduate Certificate in Reading program at KU is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge to support the reading development and achievement of individuals from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds; expand knowledge in reading assessment and methodologies; and develop instructional practices for students in the classroom and in intervention/remediation settings. The Graduate Certificate in Reading has two tracks: a non-endorsement track and an endorsement track.

Graduate Certificate in Reading Non-Endorsement Track

The online Graduate Certificate in Reading Non-Endorsement track builds on students' existing educational experience, allowing them to focus on improving the reading outcomes of students in their classes even if they teach in another field such as math or science. This online Graduate Certificate in Reading Non-Endorsement track does not lead to initial licensure nor any licensure endorsement in the state of Kansas.

Graduate Certificate in Reading Endorsement Track

The online Graduate Certificate in Reading Endorsement track is intended for educators who hold a master's degree and wish to complete the requirements for state licensure as a reading specialist in the state of Kansas. It is best for currently licensed teachers in states where an additional endorsement in reading education is required.

This academic track satisfies the requirements for the reading specialist licensure endorsement in Kansas. Each state has its own requirements for obtaining a reading specialist license/certificate/endorsement. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements in their state by contacting their home state's licensure or certification authority. No program can guarantee licensure.

Graduate Admission to the School of Education and Human Sciences

Graduate programs in education are open to students with acceptable baccalaureate and graduate degrees whose academic records indicate that they can do successful work at the graduate level. Applicants must provide evidence of ability to work successfully at the graduate level, including experience in and commitment to the profession.

Each department in the School of Education and Human Sciences sets its own application deadlines and admission criteria. Prospective graduate students should contact the appropriate department for more information.

See Admission in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for more information.

Admissions Requirements

The following materials must be submitted:

Completed online graduate application.
Official transcript:
- For domestic applicants, 1 official transcript of all college records with at least a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a grade-point average below 3.0 will be considered for admission, but admission is not guaranteed.
- For international applicants, 2 official transcripts of all undergraduate credit including degree conferral (1 in the original language and 1 in English translation) with at least a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. International transcripts will be evaluated for degree and grade-point equivalency. Applicants with a grade-point average below 3.0 will be considered for admission, but admission is not guaranteed. The transcript must contain the following information:
  - Completion of course work required for degree
  - Degree earned and date the degree was conferred; if this is not on the transcript, applicants must also submit a degree certificate and/or diploma
  - Official stamp/seal from the school
Statement of career goals/purpose
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
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 60, and scores of at least 55 in Listening, Reading and Writing. The TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores may not be required if the applicant meets the verification of English proficiency requirements as specified below:

Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree (or higher) in residence from an accredited university or from a foreign university which conducts all instruction in English and which maintains substantially equivalent bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree requirements, will be considered fully proficient and will not be required to complete AEC testing or coursework. Degrees earned online may not be used to verify English proficiency.

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

All application materials should be submitted online with the graduate application. If there are application materials that cannot be uploaded with the online application, they may be emailed or mailed to the department:

The University of Kansas
Department of Curriculum and Teaching
Joseph R. Pearson Hall
1122 W. Campus Road, Room 321
Lawrence, KS 66045