Graduate Certificate in Literacy Instruction & Intervention

This four-course, 16-credit graduate certificate focuses on literacy instruction and leadership. It is intended for teachers, administrators, and other educators with experience working in elementary, middle, or secondary schools. Taken as a whole, the certificate represents the cornerstones of literacy instruction. Courses examine effective instructional practices in reading and writing, including those related to disciplinary literacies, literacy assessment, literacy intervention, children’s and young adult literature, adolescent literacy, and classroom discourse, among others. This certificate will provide the theoretical, empirical, and practical knowledge necessary for school leaders, classroom teachers, and other educators to develop and implement literacy programs and practices that support meaningful reading and writing experiences for students as they proceed through elementary, middle, and high school.

The certificate program is geared toward in-service educators who desire deeper knowledge of literacy and literacy instruction but who may not wish to pursue an academic degree at the present time. However, should certificate participants choose to continue their studies in Literacy or Reading Education, earned credits may be applied toward the requirements for a master’s degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study.

The Graduate Certificate in Literacy Instruction & Intervention includes four courses:

• SED LS 627 Children’s and Young Adult Literature (4 cr)
• SED LS 727 Topical Seminar in Literacy and Language (4 cr)
• SED LS 762 Literacy Acquisition and Development: Addressing Strengths and Needs (4 cr)
• SED LS 790 Literacy Assessment to Inform Instruction (4 cr)

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding of key literacy theory and research and the ability to critically analyze the literature and determine implications for practice.
• Acquire, apply, and refine knowledge of best practices in literacy assessment and instruction and the capacity to use this knowledge effectively during instruction, and to support other educators’ instructional practice.
• Acquire, apply, and refine knowledge of new and multimodal literacies and their effect on literacy learning in and out of school and across the life span and the capacity to use this knowledge effectively during instruction, and to support other educators’ instructional practice.
• Acquire, apply, and refine knowledge of the sociocultural and socio-emotional foundations of literacy learning in and out of school and across the life span and the capacity to use this knowledge effectively during instruction, and to support other educators’ instructional practice.
• Acquire, apply, and refine knowledge of the diverse needs of readers and the capacity to use this knowledge effectively during instruction, and to support other educators’ instructional practice.
• Demonstrate the capacity to inquire and reflect upon one’s own and others’ instructional practice.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Literacy Instruction & Intervention, please email Kate Frankel, program director, at kfrankel@bu.edu. To apply to this program, please visit the Admissions section of our website.