Reading Endorsement
Reading Specialist (K-12) Certificate
"Literacy unlocks the door to learning throughout life. It is essential to development and health, and opens the way for democratic participation and active citizenship. Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.”
–Kofi Annan
The reading specialist (K-12) certificate is an endorsement that aims to prepare candidates to take on the important and rewarding responsibility of teaching literacy and language arts to K-12 students with a range of learning needs, and to become literacy education leaders within schools and districts.
Courses are designed to address national and state standards endorsed by the International Literacy Association (ILA) to promote professional competencies and key skills for literacy teachers, reading teachers, reading specialists, and literacy coaches.
The literacy team at the University of Montana offers the State of Montana Reading Specialist K-12 Certificate for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and M.Ed. graduate students.
Reading Endorsement Program of Study
Reading Program Admission
You must be accepted into the Teacher Education Program to enroll in the Teacher Librarian Certificate Program. If you are currently in the Teacher Education Program, please consult with your College of Education academic advisor.
Available for anyone wanting to complete the program for undergraduate credit without a degree.
Applications for Teaching and Learning programs are reviewed beginning the first Wednesday of each month. Applicants can expect feedback within two weeks of submitting their application.
- Apply to UM as a degree-seeking post-baccalaureate student, as applicable.
- Complete and submit the program-specific Application Packet to the department via email at edadvising@mso.umt.edu. Submit two letters of recommendation using the attached form.
Applications for Teaching and Learning Graduate programs are reviewed beginning the first Wednesday of each month. Applicants can expect feedback within two weeks of submitting their application. You may submit an online application to the Graduate School at any time.
Graduate-level Certificate
Available for anyone wanting to complete the program for graduate credit, but not a full master’s degree.
- Apply to the Graduate School at UM via the online application portal.
- In the listings in the application, select Enrollment Status: Degree Seeking (includes certificates), Major: Teaching & Learning Reading Certificate, Degree: Post Baccalaureate/Graduate Certificate.
- Submit/upload the materials as listed in the Graduate School portal.
M.Ed. with Licensure and Reading Certificate
Available for anyone wanting to complete a master's degree with a Literacy Education Certificate.
- Apply to the Graduate School at UM via the online application portal.
- In the listings on the application, select: Enrollment Status: Degree Seeking (includes certificates), Major: Teaching & Learning (MEd), Degree: Master of Education, Concentration: Literacy Education.
- Submit/upload the materials as listed in the Graduate School portal.
Contact Us
Reading Faculty:
Dr. Kate Brayko
Associate Professor
Department of Teaching & Learning
kate.brayko@umontana.edu
Endorsement & Licensure:
Kathy Schneider
Licensure and Clinical Experiences Specialist
Teacher Education Services
kathy.schneider@mso.umt.edu
406-243-4846