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Education

Reading Specialist

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS): Initial Licensure

Boost your career and hone your literacy skills.

This program is ideal for established K-12 practitioners looking to move to a higher-level position while acquiring a Specialist Teacher of Reading license. You'll study literacy research, pedagogy, and policy. Get thorough training in strategies for teaching to meet the needs of diverse learners. Study children’s literature and approaches to aid struggling readers and writers. Learn how to transfer your own deep knowledge to school or district staff as a teacher-leader.

Research literacy issues and policy in doctoral-level courses. Explore collaborative problem-solving. Take courses in literacy, literature, teaching writing, and the varied roles of the language arts professional. To prepare for your in-depth research, you’ll study quantitative and qualitative research methods. Student teaching experiences cover literacy assessment in theory and practice. 

During your program, we'll get to know your strengths, and will encourage you to engage in the evidence-based thinking, self-reflection, and inquiry that will foster development and cultural awareness throughout your career. You’ll emerge with the skills and training that will position you for an even more successful career.

At Lesley, our reading specialist programs have earned a reputation for producing outstanding graduates. Come study with dedicated faculty at the place that educates more teachers than any other place in New England. You'll benefit from the reputation of a school with exceptional programs in Massachusetts, where school principals prefer to hire Lesley graduates and believe they're the most prepared for the classroom. (Source: Radius Global Market Research, 2017)

 

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

45 Credits
Outcomes
Our reading specialist certificate program prepares you to:
Grace Enriquez
Reading & Literacy
Dr. Grace Enriquez
Grace’s work and research focuses on critical literacies and children’s literature for social justice. She was recently awarded two research grants, and her work has been published in national and international journals. Grace is co-author of The Classroom Bookshelf blog, which features reviews of books for children and young adults. The blog is now published nationally through the School Library Journal.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, charter schools, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this certificate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Reading Specialist
  • Tuition
    $925/credit x 45
    $41,625
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,125
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Graduate education is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your program is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.