What you’ll learn

Are you looking for a flexible and individualized certificate plan that deepens your culturally responsive and social justice pedagogy and practices? Designed for literacy educators across the U.S., this 12-credit certificate focuses on applicable strategies and skills you may use immediately in your school. This certificate focuses on instruction, intervention, assessment, and engaging approaches to teach literacy to learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and support them to thrive in school and beyond.

This certificate is a valuable learning experience in itself. Those who complete the certificate may also continue to earn the MA Reading and Writing with Reading Specialist endorsement, MA in Literacy Education without endorsement, or the MA in English Education to pursue rewarding careers as: reading specialists, literacy leaders, secondary English Language Arts teachers, curriculum specialists, and literacy instructional coaches.

Certificate completers are recognized for:

• A deep understanding of literacy development and instruction aligned with the Science of Reading
• Expertise in literacy curriculum design, instruction, literacy interventions, and assessment to address the needs of all learners, including children from diverse backgrounds in grades PK-12
• Engagement in teacher action research projects related to culturally responsive and sustaining literacy instructional and assessment inquiries.
• Knowledge of literacy coaching skills needed to effectively support other teachers in professional development, sharing best practices, and improving literacy instruction.

Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development

You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for your career. We are committed to graduating the most qualified literacy professionals. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education and Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.

Faculty

Faculty at CU Denver match your passion for education and believe in giving all students equal access to an excellent education. Engaged in literacy education at the local, state, national and international levels, these professionals bring with them a wide breadth of experience. Additionally, our faculty network and collaborate with local district leaders to ensure you are prepared for the current challenges that schools and districts face.

Curriculum

The Literacy and Language Development for Diverse Learners certificate totals 12 credit hours. Certificate courses are all fully online and may be completed within one year or in as few as 2 semesters. Courses may also be applied toward CU Denver’s MA in Reading and Writing with Reading Specialist Endorsement program, MA in Literacy Education, and MA in English Education after completing the additional required master’s degree courses.