The Reading and Language Arts Consultant (097) certification program is at the Sixth Year level and is designed to prepare educators for leadership positions in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree, must have a valid teaching certificate (or be eligible for Connecticut certification) in elementary, middle, or secondary education; must have completed a minimum of ten months of successful classroom teaching experience with the Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts certification; and must have completed all state required tests. Upon completion of an approved planned program of study and field experiences, the successful completion of program performance assessments, and the demonstration of required certification competencies, a student may apply for the Reading and Language Arts Consultant endorsement.

 

Program Objectives

This program prepares the educator for the leadership roles of the Reading and Language Arts Consultant in curriculum and instruction, including the following: organizing, supervising, and enhancing literacy programs; coordinating the instruction and assessment of students in reading and language arts; guiding, improving, and enriching reading and language arts instruction in all content areas; and collaborating with teachers, administrators, parents, and other literacy leaders.

 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for entry into this Sixth Year degree or certificate program, the applicant must first have:

1. A completed graduate admissions application and application fee;
2. A Bachelor’s degree with a B- cumulative undergraduate GPA;
3. A Master’s degree;
4. Official transcripts from all institutions attended;
5. Proof of your current teaching certification(s), including certification in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts (102).
6. Passing PRAXIS I scores, or the Essential Skills Test waiver.
7. Successful passing scores on the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test.
8. Two letters of recommendation attesting to your suitability for becoming a Reading and Language Arts Consultant and your potential for graduate-level work;
9. A 350–500 word well-written essay addressing your reasons for wanting to enroll in the program and describing your relevant teaching experience;
10. A successful interview with the program director;
11. Proof of completion of at least 10 months of successful classroom teaching experience as a Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts teacher.

Program Requirements

This Sixth Year-level program is aligned with the International Reading Association’s standards for the preparation of reading professionals. To complete the certification requirements for the Reading and Language Arts Consultant (097) endorsement, the student must first show completion of all of the coursework and field experiences for the Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts certification and then completion of advanced coursework. This includes the following:

1. Pre-requisite coursework , including Educational Psychology, Special Education, and Children’s or Adolescent Literature;
2. Professional Educational coursework in reading and language arts, including Methods and Materials in Teaching Language Arts, Developmental Reading in the Elementary School, Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, Diagnosis and Intervention of Reading and Language Arts Difficulties, and Tests and Measurements; 
3. Literacy field experiences, including the Field Experience in Reading and Language Arts and the Practicum in Reading and Language Arts;
4. Additional coursework in Educational Technology, Instruction for the English Language Learner, and Statutory Requirements.
5. Advanced coursework, which includes an additional two (2) credits in Advanced Diagnosis and Intervention of Reading and Language Arts Difficulties, four (4) credits in Organization, Administration, and Supervision of Reading, and six (6) credits for the Internship for the Reading and Language Arts Consultant.

 To complete the Sixth Year degree program, students must complete the full certificate program plus additional final degree requirements and electives to fulfill the 30 credit program.

 

Contact Information
Patricia Mulcahy-Ernt, Ph.D.
Professor of Education in Reading and Language Arts
Director of the Graduate Programs in Literacy and English Education
School of Education
Carlson Hall 118
University of Bridgeport
126 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
mulcahyp@bridgeport.edu
(203) 576-4201 (work)