Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading

The MGH Institute has developed a comprehensive 16-credit curriculum in language and literacy specifically created for educators seeking in-depth training in the relationships of language development to reading proficiency and communication disorders.

Designed to develop leaders in literacy who can leverage their expertise to improve reading and writing practices in a variety of educational and health care settings, this program complements the credentials of any classroom teacher, special educator, speech-language pathologist, administrator, principal, or psychologist seeking a broader perspective on the science of reading instruction. And with a foundation in spoken language development, the curriculum has immediate relevance for educators of second language learners and for classroom teachers with students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

“The demands of competent reading instruction, and the training experiences necessary to learn it, have been seriously underestimated by universities and by those who have approved licensing programs. The consequences for teachers and students alike have been disastrous.”
 
Louisa C. Moats, Project director, NICHD, from Reading IS Rocket Science

Traditional approaches to reading instruction have fallen short of the mark, leaving 40% of this country’s fourth graders without the basic reading skills to pass nationally standardized tests. As a result, improving literacy skills has moved to the forefront of national educational priorities in recent years.

The 2002 Reading First Initiative of the No Child Left Behind Act established national goals for high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade. The reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act emphasized the need for early intervention and the identification of communication disorders in young children who are at high risk for reading failure. Together, these acts have dramatically heightened the need for highly qualified teachers who are educational leaders trained in research-based practices designed to maximize the development of both spoken and written language skills in young children, adolescents and adults.

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a Graduate Information Session, scheduled throughout the year

Submit an online request for information to receive additional, detailed materials about the Reading Certificate program. You'll have the option to register for an upcoming information session at the same time.

After you've reviewed the requested materials, if you still have program-specific questions related to applicability of certain prerequisite courses or the program's curriculum, please email the Reading Certificate Coordinator.