Reading Education

Online Reading Teacher Certification Program

Do you want to teach reading at the elementary, middle or high school level? Enroll in the Online Reading Teacher Certification program. This program helps you earn your Wisconsin reading teacher license (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 316), which is required of all teachers who have a special assignment to teach reading at the elementary, middle or high school level. This can be a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS degree program.

Note: It’s possible that coursework completed as part of your initial certification(s) could be applied toward the Reading Teacher/Reading Specialist Program. Complete the form below to find out if any of your previous coursework fulfills certification requirements.

Request for Transcript Evaluation Form (for post-baccalaureate students only)

Reading Specialist Program

The Reading Specialist Program leads to the Wisconsin Reading Specialist license (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 17, formerly 317). This program is designed for certified reading teachers whose goal is to direct a K-12 reading program or to work with reading teachers, classroom teachers, administrators, and others as a resource teacher in reading. The Reading Teacher license is a prerequisite for certification as a reading specialist. This can be a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS degree program.

Graduate Program

In addition to the above reading options, UWM offers a 30-credit online or face-to-face Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Reading. The certifications can be a part of this program.

Note: Successful completion of UWM’s MS in Curriculum and Instruction – Focus on Reading program does not qualify students for initial educator licensure by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

A candidate seeking licensure in Iowa must first be licensed/certified as an educator in the state in which preparation was completed. UWM will assist candidates in contacting the appropriate licensing board in the state in which the candidate’s preparation was completed and will assist the candidate in understanding the requirements of the appropriate licensing board prior to the candidate’s completion of UWM’s MS in Curriculum and Instruction – Focus on Reading program.

A candidate seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must contact that board (515-281-5849) for licensure requirements in Iowa.

Applicants can expect to hear back with the Graduate School’s official admission decision 6-8 weeks after their application is complete. If admitted by the Graduate School, they can also expect to hear back from the department with their advisor assignment shortly thereafter.

Applications completed less than four weeks before the start of the semester that the applicant intends to enroll will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may not be processed in time for enrollment for the intended semester. In this case, please contact the Office of Student Services at soeinfo@uwm.edu.

Admission Criteria

Online Reading Teacher Certification Program

• 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
• To be endorsed for a Reading Teacher license at the end of the program you must have the following:
  • Two years successful regular classroom teaching experience.
  • Eligibility to hold a Wisconsin license to teach or completion of an approved teacher education program (initial licensure).
  • Application for the program is ongoing.

Reading Specialist Program

• 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
• To be endorsed for a Reading Specialist license at the end of the program one must have the following:
  • Three years successful regular classroom teaching experience.
  • A Wisconsin reading teacher license (DPI 316).
  • A master’s degree with a major emphasis in reading.
  • Application for the program is ongoing.

Faculty

Candance Doerr-Stevens, PhD

• Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
• Program Director, Curriculum and Instruction, MS

• doerrste@uwm.edu
• 414-229-4523
• Enderis Hall 353

Kristine Lize, PhD

• Teaching Faculty IV, Teaching and Learning
• Program Director, English and Language Arts, 4-12 Education
• Interim Program Director, Reading Education

• kcmarver@uwm.edu
• 414-229-4190
• Enderis Hall 355

Advising

• (Last names A – L) – Andrea Azarian
• (Last names M – Z) – Tyree Bolden

Andrea Azarian

• Senior Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services

• azarian@uwm.edu
• 414-229-4721
• Enderis Hall 209

Tyree Bolden

• Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services

• boldentc@uwm.edu
• 414-229-4721
• Enderis Hall 209