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College of Education

Literacy Coach Certificate

Lauren H. Stoddard, Literacy Specialist, Beck International Academy

“Earning my master's degree in literacy and my literacy coach certification through Clemson University undoubtedly prepared me for my position as a middle school literacy specialist. The program taught me how to implement the most effective literacy instruction practices with students, and it also prepared me for working within a school to build positive working relationships with teachers and administration. I am very thankful for the guidance and experiences provided by this program!”

Lauren H. Stoddard
Literacy Specialist, Beck International Academy
Clemson MED Literacy 2020

The Literacy Coach Certificate provides coursework on the principles of coaching teachers and their students in literacy, opportunities to conduct school-based research in literacy coaching, and active engagement in school-based coaching experiences. Teachers strengthen their knowledge and skills as a literacy coach. The program of study allows K-12 teachers to complete required coursework for the Read to Succeed (R2S) Literacy Coach advanced endorsement by the SC Department of Education. Teachers may submit their transcripts to the SC Department of Education following successful completion of the course of study.

  • Program Goals

    After completing the Literacy Coach Certificate, students will be able to:

    • Demonstrate skills in conducting and supporting team meetings, professional learning communities, and peer-coaching.
    • Serve as change agents using action research to evaluate scaffolded approaches to support K-12 teachers’ literacy professional development.
  • Admission Requirements

    Applying to the Program:
    The Literacy Coach Certificate only admits students for a fall entrance term.

    Apply by submitting a Graduate School application

    Application Deadline:
    The application deadline is August 1.

    Application Requirements:
    Applicants must:

    • Have obtained initial Teacher Certification
    • Have completed required prerequisite courses
      • EDLT 8100, EDLT 8120, EDLT 8130 or 8370, EDLT 8170 or 8270 – These prerequisite courses comprise the Literacy Teacher Certificate
    • Submit a copy of their unofficial transcript(s), official transcript(s) will be required if upon acceptance, via the online application.
      • Transcript(s) must show evidence of prerequisite course completion
  • Program Requirements

    The Literacy Coach Certificate requires the completion of the three courses listed below. All courses are three credit hours and are taught asynchronously online

    To gain this endorsement in South Carolina you must have:

    • Literacy Teacher Certification
    • All required courses for Literacy Coach 
    • Five years of successful teaching experience 
    EDLT 8160 Instructional Practicum: Differentiated Instruction for Literacy Learners
    Supervised practice emphasizing diagnostic and intervention work with learners who have literacy difficulties.
    OR EDLT 8240 Practicum in the Instruction of ESOL Elementary and Secondary Learners 
    Supervised observation and teaching experiences in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in cooperation with selected elementary and/or secondary schools.
    EDLT 8190 Coaching for Literacy Education
    Course in which the student develops expertise as a literary specialist and coach. The course provides theoretical rationales for literacy leadership, comprehensive literacy frameworks and coaching. Focus is on the roles and responsibilities of a literacy coach. Participants develop knowledge of lesson demonstration, conducting and supporting team meetings, professional learning communities, and peer-coaching. 
    <-- REQUIRED --> EDLT 8200 Action Research in Coaching: Literacy Coaches as Agents of Change
    Roles and responsibilities of a coach are studied in classroom and school contexts. Through action research, candidates identify, enact, reflect upon and evaluate scaffolded approaches to support teachers’ learning and professional development.

     

  • Financial Information

    Tuition and Fees
    The Literacy Coach Certificate is offered at our tier three online tuition rate - approximately $519 per credit/$640 per credit hour with fees.*

    South Carolina Teacher Incentive
    The Literacy Coach Certificate offers a South Carolina Teacher Incentive reducing tuition by 10% for all South Carolina K-12 teachers/leaders.

    Financial Aid
    For information regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

    * Tuition and fees are subject to change. The information provided on this webpage is only an approximation.

  • Find Out More

    For more information about this program, please contact Alison Search at alisonp@clemson.edu

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