K-12 Reading Teacher Certificate

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The K-12 Reading Teacher program qualifies candidates for Minnesota or Wisconsin K-12 Reading Teacher licensure. The program prepares graduates to develop, implement, and supervise K-12 reading curriculum in district level positions or to coach and consult with teacher colleagues. The addition of seven additional courses, focused on research-based intervention strategies for the development of reading and writing from kindergarten through community college, results in an M.A. in Literacy Education.

Program Outcomes

Consistent with the mission of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and the Board of Teaching requirements for licensure as K-12 Reading Teachers, the K-12 Reading Teachers graduate certificate program expects its graduates to be able to do the following:

Understand the foundations of reading processes and instruction.
Employ a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading instruction.
Apply a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction.
Create a literate environment that fosters reading.
Value professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.

Program Structure and Delivery

The K-12 Reading Teacher program can be completed in 15 months and is designed to fit the schedule of employed persons who want to take classes on weekends and during the summer. Courses are delivered in a blended format, integrating face-to-face classroom meetings and online activities or interactions in a planned, instructionally valuable manner.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses: 17 cr.

Faculty

The faculty and advisers for the K-12 Reading Teacher/Master of Arts in Literacy Education program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their educational and professional experience, expertise and proven ability to teach adult students.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 6 graduate credits of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota GPDE continuing education coursework designed to align with Minnesota reading standards into the program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to qualify for the K-12 Reading Teacher Program must have or be eligible for a Minnesota classroom teacher license. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and have maintained an overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following:

Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel), and
An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated by a university accepted evaluation source, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards).
A reflective essay which includes the following:
1. brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience; and
2. statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program; and
3. description of the areas the applicant considers to be his or her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities; and
4. personal information the applicant wishes to share.
Letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability; and
A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.
Applicants with international transcripts may require an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or MELAB accepted.)

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities campus.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

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