Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement
This 19-credit program is designed for experienced and certified teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the student is eligible for New Jersey certification as an early literacy specialist. All courses include a keystone assessment/artifact that demonstrates the accomplishment of course goals and the integration of acquired knowledge and skills.
Candidates for this program must have completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university prior to applying. A standard certification or CEAS in P-3 or elementary is required for entrance into this program. Those who have completed three years of full-time teaching are eligible for New Jersey educational services certification as an early literacy specialist.
Upon successful completion of this Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement program, candidates will have given evidence of the following outcomes and goals:
- Knowledge and application of the theories and concepts of literacy acquisition and development in young children as evidenced through course exams, assigned projects, and discussions.
- Identification and evaluation of a variety of instructional methods and materials to meet the needs of diverse learners evidenced through assigned projects and discussions.
- Understanding of multisensory literacy instruction and assessments as appropriate for emergent readers and writers with diverse literacy and language needs.
- Design and implementation of data-driven early literacy instruction evidenced through assigned projects, discussions, and clinical practice.
- Identification, evaluation, administration, and analysis of results from a variety of formal and informal assessment measures and techniques focused on the area of literacy acquisition and development evidenced through assigned projects, discussions, and clinical practice.
- Literacy leadership within the educational setting as evidenced through assigned projects, discussions, and clinical practice.
Requirements For Admission
- Official transcript(s) showing the award of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended are required;
- Evidence of minimum undergraduate or graduate GPAs of 3.0;
- A copy of a valid New Jersey instructional certificate (P–3; Elementary); and
- A personal interview with the director of the reading/ literacy specialization director may be required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Early Literacy Specialist Endorsement Program | ||
| EDC5027 | Literacy for Multilingual Learners | 3.0 |
| EDC5201 | Nature of the Reading Process | 3.0 |
| EDC5204 | Articulation Superv & Eval of Read Prog | 3.0 |
| EDC5212 | Assessment Emergent Lit & Lg Skills | 3.0 |
| EDC5213 | Techniques for Supporting Early Writing | 3.0 |
| EDC6084 | Reading Specialist Practicum | 3.0 |
| EDC6203 | Introduction to Wilson Reading System | 1.0 |
| Total Credits | 19.0 | |