Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement

The University of North Georgia offers a Reading Endorsement for Georgia certified teachers. The University System of Georgia Reading Consortium (USGRC) designed the endorsement for Georgia's P-12 classroom teachers. The endorsement may be taken for graduate college credit or for PLU credit. The Georgia Reading Endorsement is officially approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Request Information Apply

Applicants certified in Georgia should verify with their employer or the GaPSC whether the advanced degree leads to a certificate upgrade or pay increase. The GaPSC provides the Certificate Upgrade Advisor to assist with this process. Out-of-state applicants should also verify with their employer or certification body to verify certificate upgrades.

Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program Quick Facts

Online program, no campus visit required
Asynchronous classes with some synchronous meetings
Program length 12 credit hours

Year-round program enrollment
Field-based experience
Current teacher certification is required

Program Application Deadlines

If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.

Summer Deadline

April 15

How to Apply to the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program

Endorsement for Graduate Credit
Requirements

Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures. If an endorsement program applicant holds a master’s degree, only the transcript showing the master’s degree awarded is required for submission to Graduate Admissions.

Current teacher certification.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcripts

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Select Teaching Certificate Endorsement-Reading.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.50 calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures is required, or if an endorsement program applicant holds a master’s degree, only the transcript showing the master’s degree awarded is required for submission to Graduate Admissions.

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and beyond.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. Applicants who have received degrees outside of the United States may be required to submit proof of English proficiency. Applicants will be notified if a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is required. If required, scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Personal copies and photocopies are NOT accepted. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two calendar years from the test date. Required minimum scores are, TOEFL internet based - 79, TOEFL computer based test - 213, TOEFL paper based test - 550, IELTS - 6.5.

Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) currently accepts transcript credential reports from four specified agencies. For more details, review the GPSC website at www.gapsc.com/MovetoGeorgia/FromOutsideUSA/foreignCredentialReports.aspx.

Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG will be obtained by Graduate Admissions.

If you completed your undergraduate degree at UNG, request official transcripts only from schools attended after graduating from UNG.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Appeal of Graduate Admissions

A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

All International

International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

This program requires current teacher certification. The University of North Georgia is unable to offer a path to enrollment for foreign nationals without current teacher certification in the United States.

Endorsement for Professional Learning Unit (PLU) Credit

Application

The summer 2025 application will open October 1, 2024.

Apply for PLU Credit

Financial Aid & Payment Information

Financial aid is not available for PLU credit or non-degree seeking students. Students must be enrolled in a degree program to receive financial aid.

Payment for PLU Credit

Payment must be made in full by May 29 (before June courses begin). Make check payable to Pioneer RESA. Write 'Reading Endorsement UNG' on the memo line.

Mail check to:

Attn: Sarah Snyder, College of Education
University of North Georgia
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597

Dept. Elementary & Special Education Catalog Cost

Questions?

For questions about the program, contact:

Dr. Nicole Maxwell
678-717-3990
nicole.maxwell@ung.edu

For questions about the application process, contact:
Graduate Admissions
grads@ung.edu
706-864-1543

Learn More About the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program

Courses & Program Info
Completely online courses

The four graduate courses required for this endorsement include:

Summer - LART 6001 Trends and Practices in Reading Education

Fall - LART 6002 Assessment in Literacy Instruction

Spring- LART 6003 Materials and Reading

Summer - LART 6004 Literacy and Diversity

These courses are available at UNG completely online and may be taken for professional learning or graduate (3 semester hours or 5 PLU credits per course). A single Reading endorsement online application is required for professional learning units. If you are or will be a graduate student, you will apply via Graduate Admissions.
These courses may be applied as electives in some master's degree programs; please check with your advisor about this option before enrolling in the courses.

A one-time purchase of a 'standard edition' membership to LiveText, Inc. is required for the program. If you've used LiveText with another program or institution, please don't repurchase it. Contact LiveText (866-548-3839) to have additional years added to your membership or the addition of the 'UNG domain'. This online program is required for all students.

Contact program coordinator for more information concerning this option.

Onsite School/District Level Program

UNG will coordinate an onsite program or institute for schools or districts with a group of 20 or more participants. These programs may be run throughout a school year or as a summer institute with application of knowledge during the following school year.

Contact program coordinator for more information concerning this option.

Each of the above options must include a field-based experience. Most endorsement level students are employed in P-12 schools, which provides direct contact with schools and students. Reading endorsement participants are expected to apply advanced knowledge and skills in their respective classrooms. Students completing the UNG master's degree program will plan a capstone experience that has direct linkage to school improvement and/or action research in their schools or classrooms.

What is the Reading Endorsement?
The University System of Georgia Reading Consortium (USGRC) has designed a Reading Endorsement for Georgia's P-12 classroom teachers. The Georgia Reading Endorsement was officially approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in the Fall 1998.

The USGRC identified four strands which should be addressed by programs offering an endorsement.
Consortium members also developed two models for delivering the endorsement content:

theories of reading and the reading process,

linking assessment and instruction, and

instructional strategies specific to the content areas of individual classroom teachers.

The Summer Reading Institute and follow-up classroom implementation, and a distance learning approach utilizing web-based classes.

How do I Add the Reading Endorsement to My Certificate?

For questions regarding certification, contact Dr. April Nelms.

Professional Licensure and Certification

The University of North Georgia offers degree programs that meet the educational requirements students need to apply for professional licensure and certifications in Georgia. However, the programs may not meet education requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

For additional information, please review the Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure.

Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement

Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program Quick Facts

Program Application Deadlines

Summer Deadline

How to Apply to the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program

Requirements

Applying to UNG

Application

Financial Aid & Payment Information

Payment for PLU Credit

Questions?

Learn More About the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program

Completely online courses

Professional Licensure and Certification