Discover how to design, deliver, and assess developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive elementary reading and literacy instruction for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Using the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—as a framework, you’ll examine specific strategies to engage preK–3 and intermediate (grades 4–6) readers as well as English language learners (ELLs) and struggling and gifted readers. Recognizing the emergence of “new literacies” and technology, this graduate certificate program provides tools for creating 21st century literacy experiences that instill today’s students with a love of reading.
Sign Up for a Free Information Packet

  • “Certificate programs from the Riley College of Education and Leadership are designed to help educators like you update your skills as you advance your career. You can participate in Walden’s collaborative online environments as you share ideas with educators across the country.”

    Dr. Kelley Costner
    Associate Dean of Master’s and Undergraduate Programs
    The Richard W. Riley
    College of Education and Leadership

  • Curriculum

  • Tuition and Fees

  • Program Data

  • Learn More

Completion Requirements

  • 15 total semester credits

This certificate can be completed in as little as 10 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336. Credits earned from this certificate program may be applied toward Walden’s M.S. in Education with a specialization in Elementary Reading and Literacy (PreK–6).

Courses

  • Foundations of Reading and Literacy

    Close Popup

    Education professionals in this course establish a mindset for reading and literacy instruction through which they recognize the dynamic landscape of 21st-century education. They explore historical perspectives on literacy education and the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that influence today’s classroom. They learn, analyze, and apply research-based foundations of effective literacy instruction, including the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. They explore and discuss a variety of related topics, including language development, new technologies, writing, learner diversity, assessment, and developmental approaches to instruction. Through this course, education professionals also learn the importance of collaboration, parent/family connections, data-driven decision making, and ongoing professional development.

  • The Beginning Reader, PreK–3

    Close Popup

    Building a strong foundation of literacy skills and experiences in young children is critical to their success in school and in life. In this course, education professionals learn and apply a developmental approach to reading and literacy instruction in preschool through grade 3. Using the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—as an organizational framework, education professionals explore the characteristics of emergent, beginning, and transitional readers. They also plan and implement developmentally appropriate assessments, materials, and strategies for instruction, including effective use of current technologies. Through this course, education professionals learn the importance of effective planning and organization in the literacy classroom.

  • The Developing Reader, Grades 4–6

    Close Popup

    The intermediate grades present new and unique challenges to literacy learning. In this course, education professionals learn and apply a developmental approach to reading and literacy instruction for grades 4–6. Using the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—as an organizational framework, education professionals explore the characteristics of intermediate and advanced readers. They also plan and implement developmentally appropriate assessments, materials, and strategies for instruction. Through various conceptual and application-based assignments, they explore text structures, specialized vocabulary, content area and interdisciplinary reading, literature, reading-writing connections, critical thinking, comprehension, research and study skills, multiple literacies, and use of current technologies.

  • Literacy Development in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classroom

    Close Popup

    Today’s classrooms reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the world outside of school. Through this course, education professionals work toward establishing a culturally responsive classroom where literacy development can flourish for all  students. Education professionals learn and apply strategies to scaffold and support English-language learners at all levels of language acquisition. They examine the second-language acquisition process and methods to assess second-language and literacy proficiencies. Additionally, they learn to select culturally sensitive and relevant instructional materials and work with parents, community members, and other colleagues to support student success.

  • Literacy Development in an Academically Diverse Classroom

    Close Popup

    Today’s inclusive classrooms require teachers to become competent and confident in working with students who struggle with reading and writing. Education professionals in this course focus on accelerating the literacy development of students with reading difficulties, including students who have specific learning disabilities, and addressing the needs of  students considered gifted. They use diagnostic assessments, apply research-based strategies, and work with reading specialists/coaches and special educators to support academically diverse needs within the larger classroom context. They also explore and discuss a variety of topics, including informal and formal assessment, methods to differentiate and scaffold instruction, progress monitoring, leveling books, intervention strategies, and use of motivating texts. Additionally, education professionals learn the importance of collaboration with support resources.

  • Prev
  • Next
Request Info

Next State Date is July 1. Apply Now

2013-2014

Curriculum Component Requirements Cost
Courses 15 total semester credit hours $500 per semester credit hour
Technology Fee per semester $150

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Call 1-866-492-5336 for information about a full range of options for:

Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Please find below detailed information for the Graduate Certificate in Elementary Reading and Literacy relating to the types of occupations this program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.

Occupations
Program Completion Rate
Program Costs
Median Loan Debt

Occupations—This program generally prepares students to enter the types of occupations listed below. For more information on these specific occupations, visit www.onetonline.org.

In addition to this list, there are other career options that graduates of this program may choose to pursue. To enter certain professions, students may need to satisfy specific additional requirements established by state and/or professional organizations in addition to completing their program.

View examples of our student and alumni accomplishments in their chosen fields.

Occupation Name* Occupation Code*
Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers 25-2010
Elementary and Middle School Teachers 25-2020
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-3000

*The “occupation name” is a general job title. “Occupation code” refers to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupation Classification.

Program Completion—The program completion rate for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program did not yet have any graduates.

Program Costs—The total program costs are the estimated average costs over the duration of the program, excluding any scholarship or tuition reductions, for students completing the program on time. These costs can vary based on the number of credits. Typically, tuition and fees are subject to change annually.

Expense Cost
Tuition and Fees $7,725
Books and Supplies $0
Room and Board Not applicable

View cost per credit in the Tuition and Fees section.

Median Loan Debt—The Median Loan Debt for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program did not yet have any graduates.

For assistance in deciding which certificate program fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.