  {"id":6286,"date":"2025-09-17T16:01:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T20:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program-page&#038;p=6286"},"modified":"2026-03-18T12:03:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:03:45","slug":"reading-specialist-certification","status":"publish","type":"program-page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/reading-specialist-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading Specialist Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='program-hero'><div class='top-part'><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\"\/><div class='content-area'><h1 id=\"content-start\">Reading Specialist Certification<\/h1><p class=\"program-info\"><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?program_type=certificate\">Certificate<\/a><\/p><div class='image-holder'><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/09\/082322_reading-specialist-cert-hero.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/09\/082322_reading-specialist-cert-hero.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"A teacher works on reading with a younger student.\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='bottom-part'><div class='wrapper'><div class='content-area'>\n<p>If you&#8217;re passionate about helping students become confident, capable readers, Montclair\u2019s Reading Specialist Certification will prepare you to lead that transformation school-wide.<\/p>\n<p>Designed for certified teachers with at least three years of experience and a Master\u2019s degree, this 30-credit, low-residency program equips you with the advanced knowledge and tools to diagnose reading challenges, design targeted interventions, and support literacy growth for diverse learners. You\u2019ll deepen your expertise in reading theory, assessment, and instructional leadership while preparing to mentor fellow educators and collaborate with families and school teams.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re aiming to become a district literacy coach, reading interventionist, or K-12 reading specialist, this program sets you up for impact. Most importantly, you\u2019ll be part of a vibrant learning community dedicated to equity, inclusion, and literacy for all. If you\u2019re ready to lead beyond your own classroom and champion stronger outcomes for every reader, Montclair\u2019s Reading Specialist certification is your next chapter.<\/p>\n<p><em>*F1\/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/catalog.montclair.edu\/programs\/reading-specialist-educational-services-certification\/\">See the curriculum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/apply\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/register\/grad-inquiry\">Request Info<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><aside><p><strong>Program Format<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality=hybrid\">Hybrid<\/a><\/p><p><strong>College or School<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?college=ceel\">College for Education and Engaged Learning<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Area of Study<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?area_of_study=public-service-and-the-humanities\">Public Service and the Humanities<\/a><\/p><p><span class='prpl-button full-width'><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/portal\/graduate-events\">Upcoming Admissions Events<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/aside><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-band lt-gray no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<div class=\"prpl-row program-page-expandables\"><div class=\"prpl-column one-third\">\n<h2>Get the Best of Both Worlds<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"prpl-column two-thirds\">\n<div class=\"prpl-drawer compact open\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">Hybrid<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<p>With the exception of two courses in the practicum sequence, all the courses in the program are fully online. You can credit up to six previous, successful, and relevant graduate courses towards obtaining this certification, even if the previous coursework has been used to obtain a graduate degree, allowing you to get this certification even faster.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-band no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<h2>Application Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>To apply, you must have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Applicants need to hold a standard teacher certification<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0A master\u2019s degree in reading, literacy, or a related field from an accredited college or university before applying<\/li>\n<li>To matriculate in this program, students must be able to demonstrate appropriate interest and ability in the field of literacy education. Once accepted into the program, students also need to have completed two years of classroom teaching prior to graduation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If this sounds like you, you\u2019ll need to submit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Transcript:<\/strong> One from each college attended.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Essays\/Personal Statement:<\/strong> You\u2019ll write an essay (no more than 3, double-spaced pages) addressing each of the prompts below:\n<ul>\n<li>Why you are interested in the profession in which you want to pursue graduate work and, if applicable, the particular concentration within that profession?.<\/li>\n<li>Your knowledge of issues and trends in this profession or field.<\/li>\n<li>What areas and topics you hope to study in depth and why?<\/li>\n<li>Any related professional or personal experiences you have had, including opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, and how these experiences make you particularly well-suited for the profession.<\/li>\n<li>Potential challenges and opportunities associated with diversity you think are relevant to the profession you are pursuing. Be sure to explain what you mean by \u201cdiversity\u201d (related, for example, to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, disability) and how it may pose challenges or present opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Be sure to cite any claims you make, if applicable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Proof of your Teacher Certification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Please note that out-of-state certified applicants may apply but will not be recommended to the New Jersey Department of Education for Reading Specialist certification.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"prpl-band lt-gray no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<div class=\"prpl-row\"><div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<h2>Related Programs<\/h2>\n<p>Not sure if this certification is right for you? Check out our other instructional certifications, designed for applicants with a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<p><div class=\"related-program-container\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/bilingual-bicultural-education-teacher-certification\/\" class=\"name\">Bilingual\/Bicultural Education Teacher Certification<\/a><span class=\"program-info\"><span class=\"program-info\">Teacher Certification<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"program-contact-band\"><div class=\"background-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\"\/><\/div><div class=\"content-container\">\n<h2>Questions? We&#8217;re Here to Help.<\/h2>\n<p>For questions about this program or information about how to enroll, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"contact-card-holder\"><div class=\"contact-card\"><div class=\"narrative\"><p class=\"name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/\">Office of Graduate Admissions<\/a><\/p>Get guidance on every step of the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts, test scores and next steps toward enrollment. The Office of Graduate Admissions provides the information and resources needed to put forward a strong application.<\/div><div class=\"details\"><ul class=\"contact-list\"><li><svg title=\"envelope icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M0 64l512 0 0 80L256 320 0 144 0 64zM0 448L0 182.8 237.9 346.4 256 358.8l18.1-12.5L512 182.8 512 448 0 448z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"mailto:graduate@montclair.edu\">graduate@montclair.edu<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"phone icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M164.9 24.6c-7.7-18.6-28-28.5-47.4-23.2l-88 24C12.1 30.2 0 46 0 64C0 311.4 200.6 512 448 512c18 0 33.8-12.1 38.6-29.5l24-88c5.3-19.4-4.6-39.7-23.2-47.4l-96-40c-16.3-6.8-35.2-2.1-46.3 11.6L304.7 368C234.3 334.7 177.3 277.7 144 207.3L193.3 167c13.7-11.2 18.4-30 11.6-46.3l-40-96z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"tel:973-655-5147\">973-655-5147<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"map icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M215.7 499.2C267 435 384 279.4 384 192C384 86 298 0 192 0S0 86 0 192c0 87.4 117 243 168.3 307.2c12.3 15.3 35.1 15.3 47.4 0zM192 128a64 64 0 1 1 0 128 64 64 0 1 1 0-128z\"><\/path><\/svg>The Graduate School, 4th Floor<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"contact-card\"><div class=\"narrative\"><p class=\"name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/profilepages\/view_profile.php?username=jacobsone\">Program Coordinator: Dr. Erik Jacobson<\/a><\/p>Get detailed information about the program itself\u2014from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes. The program coordinator can explain how the program connects to your academic and professional goals.<\/div><div class=\"details\"><ul class=\"contact-list\"><li><svg title=\"envelope icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M0 64l512 0 0 80L256 320 0 144 0 64zM0 448L0 182.8 237.9 346.4 256 358.8l18.1-12.5L512 182.8 512 448 0 448z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"mailto:jacobsone@montclair.edu\">jacobsone@montclair.edu<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"phone icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M164.9 24.6c-7.7-18.6-28-28.5-47.4-23.2l-88 24C12.1 30.2 0 46 0 64C0 311.4 200.6 512 448 512c18 0 33.8-12.1 38.6-29.5l24-88c5.3-19.4-4.6-39.7-23.2-47.4l-96-40c-16.3-6.8-35.2-2.1-46.3 11.6L304.7 368C234.3 334.7 177.3 277.7 144 207.3L193.3 167c13.7-11.2 18.4-30 11.6-46.3l-40-96z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"tel:973-655-3471\">973-655-3471<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"map icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M215.7 499.2C267 435 384 279.4 384 192C384 86 298 0 192 0S0 86 0 192c0 87.4 117 243 168.3 307.2c12.3 15.3 35.1 15.3 47.4 0zM192 128a64 64 0 1 1 0 128 64 64 0 1 1 0-128z\"><\/path><\/svg>University Hall 3233<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"prpl-band no-margin next-steps\">\n\t<div class=\"text-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"prpl-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"prpl-column one-half\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"next-steps-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Next Steps<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Wherever you learn\u2014on campus or online\u2014ÌÇÐÄvlog offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/apply-to-montclair-state\/\" class=\"program-sock\">Apply Now<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/request-information\/\" class=\"program-sock\">Request Information<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"prpl-column one-half\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"next-steps-right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Learn on Campus<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Immersive classes, vibrant campus life and hands-on experiences that put you at the center of it all. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality[]=in-person\" class=\"program-sock\">Explore Majors &amp; Minors <\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/red-hawk-life\/\" class=\"program-sock\">The Campus Experience<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Learn Online<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>ÌÇÐÄvlog offers the same nationally recognized faculty, engaging coursework and supportive community as our on-campus classes - designed to fit your life. With multiple start dates each year, you can begin when the time is right for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality[]=online\" class=\"program-sock\">Explore Majors &amp; Minors<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/online\/\" class=\"program-sock\">The Online Experience<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montclair&#8217;s Reading Specialist Certification, for the experienced teacher with a Master\u2019s, deepens expertise in reading theory, assessment, and instructional leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6288,"template":"","degree_type":[],"program_type":[28],"modality":[6],"college":[33],"area_of_study":[50],"program_level":[12],"class_list":["post-6286","program-page","type-program-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","program_type-certificate","modality-hybrid","college-ceel","area_of_study-public-service-and-the-humanities","program_level-graduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/6286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program-page"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/6286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8490,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/6286\/revisions\/8490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"degree_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/degree_type?post=6286"},{"taxonomy":"program_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_type?post=6286"},{"taxonomy":"modality","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/modality?post=6286"},{"taxonomy":"college","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college?post=6286"},{"taxonomy":"area_of_study","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_of_study?post=6286"},{"taxonomy":"program_level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_level?post=6286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}