List of courses and dates for the next session
Quick Links to Questions
about Reading Certification Courses
Tuition and Financial Aid
Q. What is the tuition?
Tuition is $347 per graduate credit for 2008-2009. The tuition is the same fee for in-state, out-of-state and international participants.
Q. Is financial aid available to students in the reading teacher certification program?
Yes, financial aid is available for participants in the reading teacher certification program if you are taking two 3-credit courses per semester. To qualify you must be enrolled in a minimum of six reading course credits for the current term. For more information call UW-Stout's Financial Aid Office at 715-232-1363 or email finaid@uwstout.edu
Application and Admission Requirements
Q. 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 to you or call 715-642-0209.)STEP 2
Email your completed application as an email attachment to Dr. Carolyn Heitz, Program Coordinator. Email: heitzc@uwstout.edu If you have any difficulty emailing the application as an attached file, feel free to call Dr. Heitz at (319) 294-8452 for assistance.Eligibility is determined by:
- Evidence of commitment to working with children with reading needs
(statement of goals)- Evidence of potential
(statement of goals)- Evidence of your current teaching license
(application form)Participants must apply, meet all enrollment requirements, and receive notice of acceptance before registering.
STEP 3
After you receive admission notification, register online.If you have questions...
Complete the Request Information Form
Call Online Professional Development: (715) 642-0209
Q. 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 2 weeks after receipt of all application documents.
Q. May I enroll in one of the reading courses without taking the entire course sequence?
Yes, you may register for individual courses for salary lane change, licensure renewal, advanced certification, or professional development. There is an easy, no-hassle online registration process. Simply complete the secure online registration form . You do not need to apply for admission to the university's graduate program if you are only enrolling in one course.
Q. Is it necessary for me to submit an application before registering for the first course?
Yes. Participants must apply, meet all application requirements, and receive notice of acceptance before registering if they are taking the six course sequence.
Q. Do I need to apply for admission to the university's graduate program if I am submitting the application to the reading teacher cohort program?
No, educators who are registering for the reading teacher certification course sequence do not need to apply for graduate admission to the university unless you are beginning a Masters degree program at University of Wisconsin-Stout . We welcome students who are not in degree-seeking programs.
Transfer Credits
Q. Can previous graduate level literacy or reading coursework be applied to the UW-Stout reading teacher certification sequence of courses?
There are six courses required for the 316 Reading Teacher certification.
A maximum of six graduate credits taken within the last 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).
To determine if you have taken a course that would be 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 the UW-Stout courses RDGED 701, RDGED 702 and RDGED 703 or RDGED 704. You can access the syllabi for these courses by clicking on the course title.STEP 2
Mail the syllabus of the course you have completed and would like evaluated for possible transfer credit 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, then you will need to submit an official transcript from the issuing college/university to Dr. Heitz. (NOTE: Undergraduate credits will not apply.)Official transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope.
Contact Dr. Carolyn Heitz if you have questions about transfer credits. Email: heitzc@uwstout.edu or telephone: (319) 294-8452
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.
Wisconsin Licensure
Q. 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 teaching license, and show proficiency in the teaching of reading based on work completed in UW-Stout's reading courses and practicum.
If you have questions about the verification of your teaching experience, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction at (608) 266-0452 or (608) 266-2386. Wisconsin Reading Teacher License Requirements
Out-of State Licensure
Q. If I live outside of the state of Wisconsin, will the reading certification apply in my state?
Contact your state's accrediting agency or 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. Then you may enroll in the coursework in our online program and apply for license/certification in your state.
Accreditation
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.
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.
Master of Science in Education Degree
Q. Can reading certification course credits be applied toward a master's degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout?
Yes, Reading Teacher Certification credits may be completed as a component of the Master of Science in Education degree program. In our online degree program you will complete 19 credits of core courses and 11 elective credits, for a total of 30 credits. Eleven credits from the reading certification program may apply as electives toward a master's degree.
Courses
Q. Where will the courses be offered? 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.
Q. How many courses should I take per semester?
If you are teaching full-time, most teachers prefer to take one course per semester. Recommended Plan of Study
Carefully weigh your teaching, family, and personal life commitments, and consider how much time you will have to devote to coursework, and the requirements involved in taking a course online including electronic interaction (posting responses to the course discussion board, reading and replying to other participants' postings).
Course Sequence
Q. How long does it take to complete the reading course sequence?
It is possible to complete all of the reading teacher courses during five consecutive semesters (18 months) including summer sessions if you enroll in one course per term. Another option is to enroll in two courses per term and complete the certification in one year.
Another option is to spread the courses across 6-9 semesters. However, it would be very difficult to consolidate the learning to successfully complete the practicum if there is a one year gap or more between each course.
Q. What is the recommended 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:
- RDGED 701 Developmental Reading
- RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12
- RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program
or
RDGED 704 Teaching Young Adult Literature in the Reading Classroom - RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development
- RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties
- RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties
You will compile a Professional Reading Teacher’s portfolio with artifacts from each course in the sequence. This collection of relevant electronic materials will demonstrate your professional growth as a result of completing the University of Wisconsin-Stout Reading Certification program.
It is recommended that you take the 701 Developmental Reading K-12 course first.
The first three courses, RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12, RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12 and either RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program or RDGED 704 Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program are considered to be the foundational courses.
After having completed the foundational courses, the next two courses are:
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties and RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development.
You may enroll in RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques at the same time as RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties, although it is preferable to complete RDGED 705 prior to enrolling in RDGED 707.
Plan of Study (one course per term)
316 Reading Teacher Certification
Semester I |
Semester II |
Semester III |
Semester IV |
Semester V |
RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12
|
RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12
(one of the following) RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program K-5 |
RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development |
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques For Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties |
RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties |
Plan of Study (two courses per term)
316 Reading Teacher Certification
Semester I |
Semester II |
Semester III |
RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12 RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12 |
(one of the following literature courses) RDGED 703 Children's Literature in the Reading Program K-5 and RDGED 706 Assessment of Language and Reading Development |
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques For Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties |
Q. 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 RDGED 707 Practicum in Reading Difficulties, although it is preferable to complete RDGED 705 prior to enrolling in RDGED 707.
Required Software and Access to Library Databases
Q. What software is required?
Each student will compile a Professional Reading Teacher’s portfolio with artifacts from each of the courses. This collection of relevant electronic materials will demonstrate each student’s professional growth.
The portfolio will be introduced in RDGED 701 Developmental Reading K-12 and reviewed during 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 is available to UW-Stout students at a university student discount of $30. 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.
Q. 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.
Taking an Online Course
Q. How do I take an online course?
You are required to have a computer and 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, complete the minimum number of weekly postings to the discussion, and willingly share classroom experiences.
Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific assignment due dates, 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 to the instructor.