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
May 1
How to Apply to the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program
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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
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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.
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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.
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Application
The summer 2024 application is now open! The deadline to apply is May 1.
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. Please make check payable to: Pioneer RESA, and write 'Reading Endorsement UNG' on the MEMO line.
Mail check to: Attn: Dana Turner, College of Education, University of North Georgia, 82 College Cir, Dahlonega, GA 30597.
Learn More About the Reading Education Teacher Certificate Endorsement Program
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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.
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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.
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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.