Online Reading Teacher Certification Course FAQ's

School of Education

Online Reading Teacher Certification Course FAQ's

View the list of reading/literacy courses and start dates.

Quick Links to Questions

Tuition	Out-of-State Licensure
Application and Admissions	Accreditation
Courses and Course Sequence	Taking an Online Course
Transfer Credits	Your University Email Account
Required Software	Final Grades and Transcripts
Register Online	Request Information Online
Wisconsin Licensure

Tuition

How much is tuition for the online reading courses?

Tuition is $415 per graduate credit for Summer 2013 ($1245 per course) and $438 per graduate credit for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.

Tuition is the same fee for in-state, out-of-state and international participants. Tuition for students enrolled in a master's degree program at UW-Stout will be billed at the degree program credit hour rate.

Tuition bills and due dates are available online at your university Access Stout Self Service account. Please check your Student Center Page via Access Stout. No bills are sent via email or US mail. If you are enrolling in a summer course, the tuition is due in full on the first day of your first course.

Payment must be received on or before the due date to avoid a finance charge. No billing reminders will be sent.

Tuition may be paid by e-check, check, money order, employer purchase order, MasterCard or VISA credit cards.

Is financial aid available?

You must be enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Stout Master of Science in Education degree program and enrolled in a minimum of five (5) credits to apply for financial aid.

Application and Admission Requirements

How do I apply?

STEP 1
Complete the Reading Teacher Certification Program Application including Statement of Goals
Download and complete the application form (110K Word document) . Save the Word file to your hard drive, fill in the information, and save the file. (If you have difficulty downloading the file email gullixsona@uwstout.edu, Amy Gullixson, and she will email the form or call 715-232-2253 for assistance.)

STEP 2
Email your completed application as an email attachment to Amy Gullixson, School of Education Student Services Specialist, gullixsona@uwstout.edu If you have any difficulty emailing the application as an attached file, call Amy at 715-232-2253 for assistance.

STEP 3
Submit an official transcript showing your bachelor's degree completion and gpa.

Official transcripts must be received from the issuing college or university in a sealed envelope. Mail to: Amy Gullixson, 122 VR, UW-Stout, Menomonie, WI 54751.

Amy Gullixson will submit your complete set of application materials directly to the Graduate School for review, and you will be notified of your status within one week after receipt of the application.

Benchmark I

Eligibility is determined by:

Evidence of your professional development goals and commitment to working with students with reading needs (written statement of goals)
Evidence of your professional development self analysis and reflection (written statement of goals)
Goals relating to seeking reading certification (written statement of goals)
Evidence of your current teaching license (application form)
Evidence of 2.75 gpa or higher (transcript)

STEP 4
After you receive program acceptance notification via email from Amy Gullixson, register online.

If you have questions...
Request Information Online

When is the application deadline?

Eligible students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. New classes begin in September, January and June each year. All applicants will be notified of their status within 1 week after receipt of the application.

May I enroll in one of the reading courses without taking the entire course sequence?

Yes, you may register for individual courses for license renewal, advanced certification, or professional development. There is an easy, no-hassle online registration process. Simply complete the secure online registration form.

Is it necessary for me to submit an application before registering for the first course?

Yes, if you are enrolling in all six courses for certification, then participants are required to apply, meet all application requirements, and receive notice of acceptance before registering.

What are the refund and drop/cancellation policies?

If, after submitting the enrollment form, you find that you need to drop the class before the first day of class, send a cancellation request by email to wardda@uwstout.edu (Telephone cancellations cannot be accepted).

UW-Stout Refund Policy

For eight through eleven week courses:

100% refund if a course is dropped during Week 1
50% refund if the course is dropped during Week 2
25% refund if the course is dropped during Week 3
No refund is granted beyond the third week of the course.

Courses and Course Sequence

Will I have to drive to campus?

No travel to campus is required. All courses are offered online. The practicum course will be offered online with a requirement that you assess and instruct a school-age student in your local community.

What is the course sequence?

The reading certification course sequence is five courses and a practicum. All courses are three graduate credits.

The reading teacher course sequence is:

You will compile a Professional Reading Teacher's portfolio with artifacts from each course. This collection of relevant electronic materials will demonstrate your professional growth throughout the program and will be assessed using the eportfolio rubric.

How many courses should I take per semester?

If you are teaching full-time, most teachers prefer to take one course per semester.

Carefully weigh your teaching responsibilities, family, and personal life commitments. Consider how much time you will have to devote to coursework and the requirements involved in taking an online course including electronic interaction (posting responses to the course discussion board, reading and replying to other participants' postings).

Plan of Study (one course per term) 316 Reading Teacher Certification

Semester I
RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12

Semester II
RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12

Semester III
(One of the following)

RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program K-5
OR
RDGED 704 Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program (6-12)
(only one literature course is required, your choice)

Semester IV
RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development

Semester V
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties

Semester VI
RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties

Plan of Study (two courses per term)
316 Reading Teacher Certification

Semester I
RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12
RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12

Semester II
(one of the following literature courses)
RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program K-5 OR RDGED 704 Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program 6-12 (only one course is required, your choice)
RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development

Semester III
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties
RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties

How long does it take to complete the reading course sequence?

If you enroll in one course each term, then it is possible to complete all of the reading teacher courses during five consecutive semesters (18 months) including summer sessions. Another option is to enroll in two courses per term and complete the certification in one year.

Some students prefer to spread the courses across 6-9 semesters. However, it will be very difficult to consolidate your learning and successfully complete the practicum if there is a one year gap or more between each course.

May I enroll in RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties without taking the other courses in the sequence?

No. RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development is a prerequisite and must be completed at UW-Stout before enrolling in RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties. RDGED 706 serves as the foundation for delivering the assessment experiences necessary to meet the needs of an individual child during RDGED 707, the reading practicum.

You may enroll in RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques at the same time as you are enrolled in RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties.

Can reading certification course credits apply as electives in a master's degree program at University of Wisconsin-Stout?

Yes, Reading Teacher Certification credits may be completed as a concentration area in the Master of Science in Education degree program. You will complete 19 credits of required core courses and 11 elective credits for a total of 30 credits. Eleven credits from the reading certification program may apply as electives in the master's degree program.

Transfer Credits

Can previous graduate level literacy or reading coursework be applied to the UW-Stout reading teacher certification sequence of courses?

There are six required courses for the 316 Reading Teacher certification.

A maximum of six graduate credits completed within the past 5 years may be transferred pending a syllabus review of previous reading/literacy coursework.

Transfer credits may only apply to the first three courses in the reading certification sequence of courses (RDGED 701 Developmental Reading, RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas, RDGED 703 Children's Literature or RDGED 704 Young Adult Literature).

NOTE: The last three courses (RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties, RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development and RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties) must be taken from University of Wisconsin-Stout to demonstrate competencies using specific assessments and instructional techniques to prepare for the practicum.

To determine if you have taken a course that is eligible for transfer credit, complete the following steps:

STEP 1
Compare the syllabus of the course you have taken with the course objectives, content, evaluation and requirements of the syllabi for UW-Stout courses RDGED 701, RDGED 702 and RDGED 703 or RDGED 704. You may access the syllabi for these courses by clicking on the course title.

STEP 2
List the dates when you enrolled in the course including the beginning and ending date when the course was offered and number of credit hours. Mail this information and the syllabus of the course you completed to Dr. Carolyn A. Heitz, Reading Certification Coordinator, 320 Shannon Drive, Robins, IA 52328.

STEP 3
After a course has been approved for transfer credit, submit an official transcript from the issuing college/university to Dr. Heitz. Official transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed envelope.

NOTE: Undergraduate credits will not be approved for transfer credit.

Contact Dr. Carolyn Heitz if you have questions about transfer credits. Email: heitzc@uwstout.edu or telephone: (319) 294-8452

Required Software and Access to Library Databases

What software is required?

You will compile a Professional Reading Teacher's eportfolio with artifacts from each of the courses. This collection of relevant electronic materials will demonstrate your professional growth throughout the program and will be rated using the ePortfolio rubric.

The portfolio will be introduced in RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12 and artifacts will be added upon the completion of each course. The eportfolio will be reviewed at the completion of 12 credits and at the completion of the final course, RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties.

Access to Microsoft Word is required to prepare the documents for the portfolio during each of the courses. Microsoft Office is available to UW-Stout students at a university student discount of $25. The software maybe purchased online at WISC: the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog.

NOTE: You must be registered for a course at UW-Stout to access the WISC catalog. You will not be able to purchase software until you are assigned your university e-mail username and password.

How will I access the university library?

You will have full access to University of Wisconsin-Stout library databases, online articles from professional journals, and other resources available through the library's distance learning electronic services.

Benchmarks

What is the program GPA requirement?

After completion of 15 credits (prior to enrolling in the Practicum in Reading Difficulties) students must demonstrate a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the required reading courses and provide evidence of a Satisfactory Educator Background Check (if you are not currently licensed to teach).

316 Reading Certification Benchmarks Chart

Wisconsin Licensure

What are the requirements before I can apply for Wisconsin reading teacher (WI 316) licensure

Prior to applying for the license, students must demonstrate:

Satisfactory Dispositions ratings
Satisfactory Learner Assessment and Instruction Profile ratings
Reflective Summary of Professional Development goal attainment
Satisfactory eportfolio ratings
GPA of 3.0 or higher in the 18 credits of required reading courses

What are the teaching experience requirements for a reading teacher license in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will issue the reading teacher (316) license to applicants who can verify two years of teaching experience, hold a valid Wisconsin teaching license, and show proficiency in the teaching of reading based on work completed in UW-Stout's reading courses and practicum.

If you hold a teaching license from a state other than Wisconsin and want to obtain a Wisconsin reading teacher license, you will need to obtain a Wisconsin teaching license before you are eligible for a 316 reading license.

Additional information about out-of-state applicants for a Wisconsin teaching license is found at:
http://tepdl.dpi.wi.gov/licensing/out-of-state-applicants

If you have questions about your current Wisconsin teaching license, obtaining a Wisconsin teaching license, or the verification of your teaching experience, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction at (608) 266-0452 or (608) 266-2386.

316 Reading License Frequently Asked Questions

Out-of State Licensure

If I live outside of the state of Wisconsin, will the reading certification apply in my state?

Contact your state's accrediting agency, State Board of Education or other certifying agency and obtain a statement regarding the coursework requirements in your state. They will assist you in verifying the applicability of this reading certification to your state's requirements. Each state has different certification requirements.

We will be happy to assist you by providing course descriptions and syllabi for the reading courses in University of Wisconsin-Stout's online program, and you may submit those to your state's certification agency for approval and apply for license/certification in your state.

Additional information about out-of-state applicants for a Wisconsin teaching license is found at:
http://tepdl.dpi.wi.gov/licensing/out-of-state-applicants

Accreditation

What is the educational accreditation of the University of Wisconsin-Stout and the School of Education?

The School of Education at University of Wisconsin-Stout is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202) 466-7496. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional school personnel.

The UW-Stout School of Education's undergraduate and graduate professional education programs including majors, minors, and concentrations are accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. These programs meet requirements of Wisconsin's PI 34 administrative rules.

University of Wisconsin-Stout is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA) located at 30 LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone: 312-263-0456 or 800/621-7440 fax #312/263-7462.

Taking an Online Course

How do I take an online course?

You are required to have a computer and broadband Internet connection. To ensure success in your online classes, you should be comfortable using email, the Internet and common software, such as a word processing program.

You may participate using your home or school computer to access the course Web pages, modules, and readings. Many of the course instructional concepts are developed through participating in an online class forum called a discussion board. The discussion board is used to dialog with your online peers about readings, exchange ideas and share information and resources, and respond to case studies posted by peers or your instructor.

Participants must check the discussion 3-5 times per week, participate in the online discussion board, and complete the minimum number of weekly postings to the discussion.

Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific assignment due dates each week, but there are no required "live" sessions to attend. Instead, lectures, activities, questions, and discussion take place via the course website. Student learning is assessed in a variety of ways: through online discussion participation, assignments and projects that are submitted online via the course dropbox.

Do I have to be online at the same time as everyone else? Is there a time each week that I have to be online with the whole class?

No, there are no scheduled "live" chats.

A wide variety of quality Internet resources are integrated as part of each course. Web-based discussion boards and email are utilized for instructor/student communication and class discussion.

While online education is highly flexible, there are weekly assignment deadlines. Your peer learners will depend on you for timely feedback as you interact via the discussion board. Therefore, students need to participate regularly each week. If you are planning extended travel away from a computer during the course, it's best to delay taking the class until the next session is offered.

In order to complete the online course requirements, you will need regular, reliable broadband Internet access.

University Email Account

Do I need to use a university email account instead of my home or school email account?

Yes, when the class begins, you will be expected to use your University of Wisconsin-Stout email account for all correspondence with your instructor. The Learn@UW-Stout courseware will only list your university email address for communication with the instructor, class peers, as well as the student business and registrar's offices.

Your instructor will email preclass information to your UW-Stout university email address; be sure to have it set up prior to the first week of class and login to read the orientation information.

Final Grades and Transcripts

How do I access my final grade report?

After the instructor posts final grades, you may access your grade report via the university website.

Grades are available online through the UW-Stout portal called Access Stout.

After you login, click on "Self Service" in the left-hand menu. Then click on "Enrollment." Then click on "View My Grades." Select desired term (i.e., Spring 2012) and click "Continue." The screen should then show your currently enrolled class(es) for the semester and grade(s).
If you would like to print a copy for your own records, scroll down and click on: "Printer Friendly Page."

Many students submit the free grade report when documentation is required for tuition reimbursement or for a professional development portfolio. To view the Grading System, click on "Grading System" under the Student Registration and Record Policies.

How do I request a transcript reflecting my coursework?

If an official transcript is needed for a certification agency or for school district tuition reimbursement, the transcript request process and fees are provided on the Registration and Records Office website. If you have additional questions, email the Registration and Records office at registrar@uwstout.edu or call (715)232-2157.

Request Information Online

How do I request additional information?

If you have specific questions or need more information about the application and registration process, you may request information online or telephone (715) 642-0209.

Accreditation

Our Students Say...

reading2

“I know the rigor of the UW- Stout program was key to my success in being offered a reading specialist and literacy coaching position with the DeForest Area School District.

The interview team was clearly impressed when I presented items from my portfolio. I feel well prepared to take on this new and exciting challenge.”
~ Kathy Williams

School of Education