Reading Specialist Certification

The Reading Specialist Certification is designed for applicants desiring to work as an all-level Reading Specialist in Texas. Students must successful complete a departmental comprehensive and/or portfolio examination before taking the Reading Specialist Exam.

This certification is also offered in coordination with the M.Ed. in Reading/Language Arts.

To be regularly admitted to the graduate school, applicants must submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application
2. Application fee
3. Apply  to the Reading Specialist Preparation Program if seeking Texas Reading Specialist certification (Instructions )
4. Pay the $55 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7 ) if seeking Texas Reading Specialist certification
5. Official transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution
6. Two letters of recommendations with recommendation checklists
7. A copy of applicant’s teaching certificate
8. A teacher service record with at least two years of successful teaching experience
9. Interview with writing sample
10. Official GRE or MAT scores, if GPA in last 60 hours is below a 3.0
11. An official service record for each year of classroom service

For information regarding the recommendation checklists, interview, and writing sample, please contact the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations at (936) 294-4045.

NOTE: Candidates may be permitted to enroll for one semester while their admission file is incomplete.

Applicants with completed files are reviewed for regular admission by graduate faculty in each program area and are selected by faculty based on information in the completed file.

The Reading Specialist Certification requires the completion of 36 credit hours and is designed for those holding a valid Elementary or Secondary teaching certificate. The candidate must have two years successful teaching experience and successfully complete a departmental comprehensive and/or portfolio examination before taking the Reading Specialist Exam. Candidates must be enrolled in coursework during the semester they submit their comprehensive portfolio. The certification program originates in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations.