Education

Literacy Coaching Certificate

Literacy specialists or coaches work with students who are struggling with reading and writing. They serve a variety of roles in schools, including implementing interventions with students, working with teachers on reading instruction, creating literacy success plans, and examining literacy data to inform professional development. This graduate certificate does require an internship course where students apply their skills with children and teachers in school settings.

To receive the K-12 Literacy Specialist add on certification in Missouri, students must complete all coursework, pass the required assessment (Praxis exam 5302 Reading Specialist), and submit an application and transcript to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

EDUC 5500 Evidence-Based Practices for Literacy Instruction is a prerequisite for this graduate certificate.

The following courses are required.

EDUC 5565Comprehensive Literacy Program Development3
EDUC 6560Teacher Development in Literacy Instruction3
EDUC 6570Literacy Assessments3
EDUC 6581Literacy Specialist Internship I1
EDUC 6582Literacy Specialist Internship II1
EDUC 6583Literacy Specialist Internship III1

Teacher Leadership Certificate

This certificate is designed for practicing teachers who want a research-based approach to facilitating instructional improvement within a department, grade level, or school.

Strengthening teacher leaders within a school increases the capacity of the entire staff to facilitate change for improvement and collaborate with stakeholders.  Teachers will enhance their skills in mentoring, curriculum development, and assessment through theory and reflective practice.  This program focuses on local context, using the Teacher Leadership Competencies as a framework.

The graduate certificate in teacher leadership will provide practicing educators with the skills to lead teams to improve teaching and learning; however, this certificate does not result in Missouri educator licensure.  The courses in this graduate certificate may be applied to the non-thesis Master of Science in Biology and the Master of Science for Teachers.  Other programs may accept these courses according to their guidelines.

The following courses are required:

EDUC 5150Teacher Leadership within Educational System3
EDUC 5220Instructional Coaching and Mentoring3
EDUC 5225Curriculum Development and Assessment3
EDUC 5330Community-Based Participatory Action Research 3

Students may transfer one equivalent graduate course into the certificate.  Students may substitute EDUC 5330 with another research course with advisor approval.

Admission Criteria

1. Currently teaching or two years of experience teaching (evaluated through resume)
2. 3.0 GPA in undergraduate or previous graduate coursework
3. Statement of purpose with a focus on how this program will impact their teaching and learning community

No GRE is required.

EDUC 5100 PLTW Training (LEC 0.0-8.0)

This graduate-level Project Lead the Way course prepares K-12 educators to become more effective teachers of STEM-focused material.


EDUC 5150 Teacher Leadership within Educational System (LEC 3.0)

Students will examine their educational context and research educational systems at various levels. Developing a collaborative culture of collective responsibility will be discussed, including equity, accountability, and continuous improvement processes. Teacher leaders will understand how educational policy is crafted and create an advocacy plan.


EDUC 5220 Instructional Coaching and Mentoring (LEC 3.0)

The differences between coaching and mentoring will be discussed, as well as research-support practices in each. Teacher leaders will research adult learning principles and apply them to instructional coaching. They will learn approaches to observing and providing constructive feedback, then practice them with peers.


EDUC 5225 Curriculum Development and Assessment (LEC 3.0)

Curriculum will be analyzed using research-based processes. Teacher leaders will model collaborative and reflective practice based on student data and practice leading teams to do the same. Instructional strategies and assessments that address issues of diversity and equity will be the focus.


EDUC 5330 Community-Based Participatory Action Research (LEC 3.0)

This course will focus on methods for engaging school and community members in research. Students will collaboratively identify research questions, practice data collection techniques, analyze, and report the results.


EDUC 5370 Effective Instructional Strategies (LEC 3.0)

Participants will develop an understanding of research-based instruction and the ability to implement the instructional strategies in their classrooms. The course will focus on leadership, empowerment, and collaboration. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.


EDUC 5500 Evidence-Based Practices For Literacy Instruction (LEC 3.0)

This course will address in depth the foundational concepts of literacy instruction: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language. Learners will examine the research supporting effective literacy instruction. Prerequisites: Education certificate or degree declared.


EDUC 5565 Comprehensive Literacy Program Development (LEC 3.0)

In this course, participants will critically evaluate literacy programs, focusing on effective differentiation strategies and other essential components. They will learn systematic approaches for integrating evidence-based literacy practices into daily instruction. Additionally, learners will develop comprehensive plans for building partnerships with families and communities to enhance the overall impact of literacy programs. Prerequisites: Education degree or graduate certificate declared.


EDUC 6560 Teacher Development in Literacy Instruction (LEC 3.0)

This course delves into the foundational principles of adult learning, emphasizing effective peer coaching and mentorship models. Participants will examine strategies for fostering a growth mindset and designing targeted professional learning experiences. The curriculum includes an in-depth analysis of techniques for creating and sustaining professional learning communities aimed at teacher development, with a focus on aligning these efforts with school-wide literacy goals. Prerequisites: Education degree or graduate certificate declared.


EDUC 6570 Literacy Assessments (LEC 3.0)

Learners will gain familiarity with evidence-based literacy assessments through exploration of comprehensive literacy and language assessment systems and tools aligned with state and national standards. Learners will engage in collaboration and application activities to practice administration, interpretation, reporting, and communication of assessment outcomes in educational settings. Students will demonstrate understanding of the use of literacy and language assessments in instructional planning and data-based decision making in educational programs. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.


EDUC 6581 Literacy Specialist Internship I (LEC 1.0)

Learners must work with both elementary and middle/secondary students, as well as their peers, in school-based settings. This work will include individuals and small groups, development of literacy intervention plans, creation of supportive literacy environments, and assessment. Internship hours must be appropriately documented and meet the state clock hour requirement for licensure. Prerequisites: Department must approve internship placement.


EDUC 6582 Literacy Specialist Internship II (LEC 1.0)

This course is a continuation of Literacy Specialist Internship I. This course may be taken concurrently with EDUC 6581 and EDUC 6583. Prerequisites: Department permission required for internship placement.


EDUC 6583 Literacy Specialist Internship III (LEC 1.0)

This course is a continuation of Literacy Specialist Internship I and II. This course may be taken concurrently with the other Literacy Specialist Internship courses. All three internship courses must be successfully completed with the appropriate balance of activities for Missouri certification. Prerequisites: Department permission required for internship placement.