Guide
to
Reading Specialist
Certificate of Advanced Study
(K-12)
and
Master’s Degree in Reading Education
University of Pittsburgh
2015-2016
Section 1 Welcome
Section 2 Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12)
 Overview and mission statement
 Core Courses
 Requirements
 Transfer credits
 Plans of study
Section 3 Master’s Degree in Reading Education
 Overview
 Requirements
 Comprehensive examination
 Applying for graduation
Section 4 Frequently Asked Questions
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Section 1
Welcome
If you have received a letter offering you admission and have decided that the University of
Pittsburgh offers a program that is right for you, then you need to accept the offer of
admission. The letter you received includes a link to an online space in which you can accept
the offer of admission.
Two to three days after accepting the offer of admission, you will receive a PITT username and
password. Your PITT username and password will allow you to access key resources at the
my.pitt.edu portal. The my.pitt.edu portal is where you will register for classes, manage billing
and tuition, and keep your contact information, including your current mailing address, up to
date.
After accepting the offer of admission and receiving your PITT username and password, you are
ready to develop a plan of study and register for classes. That plan of study must include any
required courses identified in your letter.
In the pages that follow, you will find information about the requirements you need to meet in
order to successfully complete the requirements for the Reading Specialist Certificate of
Advanced Study and the Master’s Degree in Reading Education at the University of Pittsburgh.
The information included in this guide refers to students beginning their programs of study in
Fall 2013 or after.
In order to make sure that you understand the University of Pittsburgh regulations for graduate
students, you should download the Graduate and Professional Bulletin of the School of
Education. That document provides information about important topics such as transfer credits,
statute of limitations, and graduation requirements. You can access the graduate bulletin at:
http://www.bulletins.pitt.edu/graduate/education.htm
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the requirements described in the graduate
bulletin and in this guide.
On behalf of the reading education faculty, I welcome you to the University of Pittsburgh and
hope that your experiences in reading education are intellectually stimulating and inspiring.
Michelle Sobolak
Reading Education Program Coordinator
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Section 2
Mission Statement
Reading Specialist Certificate of
Advanced Study (K–12)
The mission of the Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12) program at the
University of Pittsburgh is to provide candidates with opportunities to build specialized
knowledge, engage in principled practice in supervised settings, and prepare for leadership
roles in schools and school districts. The curriculum addresses the International Reading
Association’s Standards for Reading Professionals (2010) in the areas of (1) Foundational
Knowledge, (2) Curriculum and Instruction, (3) Assessment and Evaluation, (4) Diversity, (5)
Literate Environment, and (6) Professional Learning and Leadership.
The certificate curriculum includes 8 core courses, two of which are practicum experiences.
These courses are sequenced as shown below.
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core courses
IL 2203: Language and Language Systems (ONLINE)
This course provides an overview of literacy research and instructional approaches that relate
to language and language systems with emphasis on the historical development of English,
linguistic and sociocultural perspectives on second language learners and speakers of dialects,
and instructional approaches for encoding and decoding.
IL 2211: Comprehension and Vocabulary
This course provides an in-depth consideration of reading processes related to comprehension
and learning from text, and instructional approaches that support student text comprehension,
including vocabulary instruction.
IL 2216: Literacy Assessments and Intervention Models (ONLINE)
This course provides an overview of reading processes and assessments of those processes with
a focus on phonology, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The course also provides an
introduction to the Response to Intervention model and its application in various contexts.
IL 2217: Literacy Practicum with Elementary Students
This course engages candidates in working with students in kindergarten through grade 3 to
assess students’ literacy abilities in decoding, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension,
and to design instruction targeted to support students’ literacy development. The course is
also an opportunity for candidates to videotape and analyze their interactions with students.
 Prerequisites:
o IL 2203 and IL 2216
o Current clearances as noted in Clearances section below
 Prerequisite or co-requisite: IL 2211
IL 2219: Disciplinary Literacy (ONLINE)
This course provides an introduction to the literacy development of adolescents with particular
attention to the demands of discipline-specific reading and writing.
IL 2218: Literacy Practicum with Adolescent Students
This course engages candidates in working with students in grades 4-12 to assess students’
literacy abilities in decoding, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, and to design
instruction targeted to support students’ literacy development. The course is also an
opportunity for candidates to videotape and analyze their interactions with students.
 Prerequisites:
o IL 2203 and IL 2216
o Current clearances as noted in Clearances section below
 Prerequisites or co-requisites: IL 2211 and IL 2219
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IL 2243: Theory and Practice for Teaching Writing (ONLINE)
This course examines theoretical and applied approaches for teaching writing.
IL 2281: Leadership in School Literacy Programs
This course examines theories about leadership in school literacy programs and issues related
to providing professional development, mediating parent involvement, and developing
principled approaches to support students who struggle with literacy.
 Prerequisites: This is the last course candidates take for the Reading Specialist
Certificate of Advanced Study.
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requirements
The requirements for successful completion of PITT's Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced
Study (K-12) include the following:
 Official acceptance into the program with assigned advisor
 Current teaching certificate
 Current clearances required by PDE
 Completing 8 core courses
 Maintaining a 3.0 grade point average
 Attaining a passing score on the Reading Specialist Praxis Test
 Completing the PDE online application for certification
 Completing a graduation application upon completion of the 8 required courses
Reading Specialist Praxis Test
Candidates should complete most of their courses before taking the Reading Specialist Praxis
Test. Information about the Reading Specialist Praxis Test can be found at the link below:
http://www.ets.org/praxis/prepare/materials/5301
You may also take the paper version of the test (0301).
PDE Requirements: Courses
Recent requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for all certification
programs in the commonwealth include three courses in special education and one course in
teaching English language learners. These courses are offered at PITT but do not have to be
taken at PITT.
Increasingly, candidates are completing these requirements as part of their initial certification
programs. Candidates who have not taken these courses, or comparable courses, are granted
conditional admission as explained in their admission letter. The courses must be completed
and appear on the candidate’s transcript before the application for certification is submitted.




IL 2257
IL 2500
IL 2501 OR IL 2502
IL 2523
Teaching English Language Learners
Foundations of Special Education
Students with Disabilities (Elementary OR Secondary)
Literacy Assessment and Instruction for Children with
Disabilities in Inclusive Settings
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PDE Requirements: Clearances
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), anyone working with or
observing children in public and private schools, IUs, and vocational-technical schools are
required to provide proof of the following clearances:
 Federal Criminal History Record
 Pennsylvania State Criminal Record Check
 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Federal Criminal History Record Fee: $38
Applicant must register online or by phone, and then visit a fingerprinting facility
Pennsylvania State Criminal Record Check Fee: $10
Applicant can apply online, or via postal mail
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Fee: $10
Applicant must apply via postal mail
Plan to obtain clearances at least 2 months prior to registering for IL 2214 and IL
2215.
Always retain the original clearances and provide copies to the university and any
school in which you are working.
Copies of clearances must be filed with Donna Rudman, Administrative Assistant for Teacher
Education, 5300 Posvar Hall.
Detailed information about securing clearances can be found at the link below:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/CurrentStudents/TeacherPreparation/FederalandStateCriminal
Clearances.aspx - Federal Criminal
PDE Requirements: Application for Certification
The application for certification is an online process. Information is available at the link below:
http://www.PA-TIMS.com
Once you have completed the online application, please either email or drop off the cover page
of your application to Donna Rudman, 5300 WWPH, drudman@pitt.edu. The University has to
sign-off on your application before it will be processed and you must let Donna Rudman know
that you applied to initiate that process. Not contacting Donna Rudman once you apply to the
state for your certificate will substantially delay the process.
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Applying for graduation after completing the certificate
Even though students do not technically graduate after completing the 8 reading specialist
certificate classes, the university asks that students complete a graduation application and plan
of studies upon completion of the 8 required courses. Completing the graduation application at
this time allows the university to keep track of individual program completion and also allows
for transcripts to be updated with a notation that reading specialist certificate coursework is
completed. If you are completing the last of the 8 courses in the summer, please plan to
complete the graduation application and plan of studies in May, as this is the deadline for
August completion. On the plan of studies, please only include the 8 required courses for the
reading specialist certificate. Please do not include any courses taken to complete PDE or
prerequisite requirements.
Because completion of the 8 courses does not grant a degree, on the second page of the
graduation application, do not mark anything under degree but list reading specialist under
certificates earned this term. Once the forms are completed, please submit them to your
advisor for their signature.
Application deadlines, graduation applications and plan of studies forms can be found at:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/CurrentStudents/StudentServices/Graduation.aspx
Transfer Credits
Candidates may transfer 6 credits and have them added to their transcript. In order to
successfully complete the transfer process, candidates must:
 Provide their advisor with a description of the course that they wish to take and secure
approval
 Upon completion of the course, request an official transcript
 Attach the official transcript to the transfer credit form, have it signed by the advisor, and
submit it to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services, 5500 Posvar Hall.
 Candidates can secure the transfer credit form from the Office of Admissions and
Enrollment Services

Students who graduated from the PITT Primary Plus PY program may transfer 3 credits,
which will account for IL 2203.
Act 48
Act 48 requires PA certified teachers to earn a number of hours per 5-year cycle to keep a
certificate active. Six graduate credits (two courses) fulfill all the hours required per cycle. If
you would like to report two of your courses for Act 48 credit, please do so at the following link:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/FutureStudents/CertificateProgramsAct48NonDegree/Act4845
Credits.aspx
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You will need your Peoplesoft number (you can find that at my.pitt.edu under demographic
information). You will also need your state assigned PPID.
Once you input two courses (do not put in more than two), a request for verification will be
sent to the Admissions and Enrollment Services Office. They will verify your classes. This is not
an instantaneous process and it may take a while for them to show up on the PDE website,
however, it will happen. You must initiate this process, as classes are not automatically
reported.
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Plans of Study
Candidates should arrange for a meeting with their assigned advisor to complete a plan of
study before registering for any classes.
Core courses are typically offered once each year and are subject to change based on need or
enrollment.
Plan of study for 1-year certificate completion
fall
IL 2203
Language and Language
Systems (ONLINE)
IL 2211
Comprehension and
Vocabulary
spring
IL 2216
Literacy Assessments and
Intervention Models
(ONLINE)
IL 2217
Literacy Practicum with
Elementary Students
IL 2219
Disciplinary Literacy
(ONLINE)
summer
IL 2218
Literacy Practicum with
Adolescent Students
IL 2281
Leadership in School
Literacy Programs
IL 2243
Theory and Practice for
Teaching Writing
(ONLINE)
Plan of study for 2-year certificate completion
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
fall
IL 2203
Language and
Language Systems
(ONLINE)
spring
IL 2216
Literacy Assessments
and Intervention
Models (ONLINE)
summer
IL 2219
Disciplinary Literacy
(ONLINE)
IL 2211
Comprehension
and Vocabulary
IL 2217
Literacy Practicum
with Elementary
Students
IL 2218
Literacy Practicum
with Adolescent
Students
IL 2281
Leadership in School
Literacy Programs
IL 2243
Theory and
Practice for
Teaching Writing
(ONLINE)
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Plan of study for 3-year certificate completion
fall
IL 2203
Language and
Language Systems
(ONLINE)
spring
IL 2216
Literacy Assessments
and Intervention
Models
(ONLINE)
summer
IL 2219
Disciplinary Literacy
(ONLINE)
YEAR 2
IL 2211
Comprehension
and Vocabulary
IL 2217
Literacy Practicum
with Elementary
Students
YEAR 3
IL 2243
Theory and
Practice for
Teaching Writing
(ONLINE)
IL 2218
Literacy Practicum
with Adolescent
Students
IL 2281
Leadership in School
Literacy Programs
YEAR 1
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Plan of Study
Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12)
Name:
PREREQUISITE
COURSES
(These do not have to
be taken at PITT.)
Human
Development OR
Educational
Psychology
PeopleSoft Number:
DATE AND
LOCATION
COMPLETED
REQUIRED PDE COURSES
(These do not have to be taken at
PITT.)
Advisor:
DATE AND
LOCATION
COMPLETED
READING SPECIALIST COURSES
IL 2257: Teaching English
Language Learners
IL 2203: Language and Language
Systems
Teaching of
Reading OR
Language Arts
IL 2500: Foundations of
Special Education
IL 2211: Comprehension and
Vocabulary
Children's
Literature OR
Adolescent
Literature
IL 2501 or IL 2502: Students
with Disabilities (Elementary
OR Secondary)
IL 2216: Literacy Assessments and
Intervention Models
IL 2523: Literacy Assessment
& Instruction for Children with
Disabilities in Inclusive
Settings
IL 2217: Literacy Practicum with
Elementary Students
TERM TAKEN
IL 2218: Literacy Practicum with
Adolescent Students
IL 2219: Disciplinary Literacy
IL 2281: Leadership in School
Literacy Programs
IL 2243: Theory and Practice for
Teaching Writing
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Section 3
Master’s Degree in Reading Education
overview
There are two options for the Master’s Degree in Reading Education:
 MEd plus Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12)
 Master of Education (MEd)
The MEd plus Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12) is recommended for most
candidates and is described below.
Information about the MEd can be found at the link below:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/AcademicDepartments/InstructionLearning/Programs/ReadingEducat
ion/MasterofEducationMEd.aspx
requirements
The MEd plus Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study (K-12) requires an additional five
classes beyond the requirements for the Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study, as well as
successful completion of a comprehensive exam. It is recommended that candidates first complete
the requirements for the Reading Specialist Certificate of Advanced Study and then pursue the
courses necessary to obtain the master's degree in reading education. These courses are listed in the
table below.
ADDITIONAL COURSES REQUIRED FOR MASTER’S DEGREE
IN READING EDUCATION
SEMESTER
COMPLETED
(24 READING SPECIALIST CREDITS + ADDITIONAL 15 CREDITS)
Psychological Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
Several options are available, including:
 EDUC 2000: Psychology of Learning and Development for Education
 EDUC 2007/PSYED2127: Human Learning
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
Several options are available, including:
 EDUC 2100 Education and Society
 EDUC 2102 History of Education
 EDUC 2103 Race and Racism in Education and Society
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ADDITIONAL COURSES REQUIRED FOR MASTER’S DEGREE
IN READING EDUCATION
SEMESTER
COMPLETED
(24 READING SPECIALIST CREDITS + ADDITIONAL 15 CREDITS)
Research Methods (3 credits)
Several options are available, including
 EDUC 2201 Introduction to Research
 EDUC 2202 Education & Psychological Measurement
 IL 2405 Introduction to Action Research (fall only)
Research Seminar (3 credits)
 IL2290 Research seminar for MEd students
Elective (3 credits)
Can be taken from course offerings in the School of Education or the
College of Arts and Sciences
Statute of Limitations
All requirements for a master's degree must be completed within a period of four consecutive
calendar years from the candidate's initial registration for master's study in an MA or MS degree
program or within five years in an MAT or MEd program. Under certain conditions, the
dean/associate dean may grant an extension of a student’s statute of limitations.
Comprehensive Examination
All candidates for the Master’s Degree in Reading Education are required to take a comprehensive
examination and attain a passing score. Typically, candidates take the exam in their last semester of
coursework because candidates have to be a registered for at least one course during the semester
in which they take the exam.
Reading Education comprehensive exams are offered twice yearly. For the fall comprehensive exams,
candidates need to register by the end of September. The fall exam is given in October. For the spring
exam, candidates need to register by the end of February. The exam is given in March. There are no
comprehensive exams offered during the summer.
Please, sign up for the comprehensive exam with Tina DeReno at the front office at 5300 Posvar Hall.
There is a registration log that you may complete in person or you may email your information to Tina
at tdereno@pitt.edu.
You will need to provide the following information:
Name:
Address:
Pitt Email Address:
15
PeopleSoft ID #
Advisor
Program : Reading M.Ed.
There is not cost for the exam but you must stop by or email Tina to be placed on the list.
The reading education program coordinator will notify you of the date of the comprehensive exam
using your PITT e-mail address. On the specified date, you can access the comprehensive exam via
Courseweb. You will have one-two weeks to complete the exam and submit it electronically via
Courseweb. The exam will be read by two faculty members, and you will receive written feedback
from the program coordinator about your performance on the exam.
Applying for Graduation: M.Ed.
After completing the required courses and passing the comprehensive exam, candidates must apply
for graduation. It is not an automatic process. Candidates must obtain the graduation application
packet from the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services, 5500 Posvar Hall, during their last
semester of course work, complete the application, and have their advisor sign the required forms.
The completed graduation application packet must be submitted to Lindsay Luce, Student Services
Administrator, 5500 Posvar Hall.
See the University Registrar’s website for general information and application deadlines.
 http://www.registrar.pitt.edu/graduation.html
 http://www.registrar.pitt.edu/graduationcalendar.html
Make sure the Registrar’s office has your correct address because they will mail your diploma about 5
weeks after your official graduation date, provided your student account is cleared.
 http://www.registrar.pitt.edu/diplomas.html
Application deadlines, graduation applications and plan of studies forms can be found at:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/CurrentStudents/StudentServices/Graduation.aspx
16
Section 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions that candidates ask about the Reading Specialist Certificate of
Advanced Study and the MEd in Reading Education.
1. What is the Reading Specialist Internship Program?
Information about the Reading Specialist Internship Program can be found at:
http://www.education.pitt.edu/AcademicDepartments/InstructionLearning/Programs/ReadingE
ducation/ReadingSpecialistCertificate/ReadingSpecialistInternshipProgram.aspx
2. Why have I been given conditional admission?
Most often conditional admission is granted because candidates either have not completed the
PDE courses in special education and teaching English language learners. You and your advisor
can discuss your options for fulfilling these requirements.
The courses must be completed before you apply for certification.
3. Do I have to meet with an advisor to schedule classes?
You do not have to have a meeting with your advisor in order to schedule classes. You should
have an initial meeting with your advisor to complete a plan of study. That plan will be your
guide for completing the program.
4. How do I register for classes?
PITT has an online registration system. Registration is done through the my.pitt.edu portal.
To register:

Log in to my.pitt.edu with your University Computer Account username and password.

Click the Student Services tab at the top of the page.

Click Link to Student Center.

Click Self Service and then click Student Center.
Your Enrollment Appointment will be listed in the box entitled Enrollment Dates on the righthand side of the page. Once you have seen your advisor and have completed your plan of study,
you can enroll in classes right from your Student Center page.
5. I am having trouble logging in to register. What should I do?
If you have received a PITT username and password and are having difficulty logging in, we
suggest that you contact the technology help desk. They can be reached at 412-624-HELP [4357].
6. I have registered for classes but have changed my plans and need to withdraw. How do I do
that?
Log in to my.pitt.edu with your University Computer Account username and password.
Next, click the Student Services tab at the top of the page.
Then, click Link to Student Center.
Next, click Self Service and then click Student Center.
You will find a menu on the left side of the page where you can drop/add classes.
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