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Welcome to the Early Literacy Certificate of the Extended Studies Program. Here you will find:

General Information

Are you interested in teaching reading? The Reading Program of the College of Education is pleased to present the Certificate in Early Literacy to elementary school teachers. The certificate consists of a three semester sequence of courses, designed to help teachers expand their knowledge base in literacy instruction of kindergarten through sixth grade learners. The content of all courses is aligned with the guidelines for the professional preparation of reading teachers as defined in the International Reading Association's Standards for Reading Professionals, the standards identified for reading teachers by the Colorado Department of Education and the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education at UCCS.

The certificate for early literacy courses are offered online; offered through our online platform, eCollege, and will be taught by Dr. Barbara Swaby. All 4 courses are offered every semester. and if you want an accelerated certificate program the courses can all be taken within one or two semesters. The online certificate will be completed over the course of one year. Once all four courses are completed, you will receive a Certificate of Reading Instruction from the University of Colorado. You may also take any of the classes individually without working toward the Certificate in Reading Instruction.

As an active participant in this Certificate in Early literacy, you will:

  • Learn the basic components of an elementary reading program
  • Learn the basic components of an elementary reading lesson
  • Learn effective, research based strategies for the development of literacy in emergent readers
  • Gain a strong foundation in the various methodologies available in the field of reading
  • Learn research based strategies for developing decoding skills in elementary students
  • Develop a clear understanding of the nature of comprehension, and learn multiple strategies for the instruction of comprehension in primary and intermediate level learners
  • Learn a wide range of diagnostic and remedial strategies for use in the areas of word analysis, vocabulary and comprehension
  • Learn how to meet the literacy needs of diverse learners
  • Learn an instructional structure that will assist you in making appropriate literacy decisions related to elementary students

Admission Requirements

Any teacher with an undergraduate academic degree and an elementary teaching license (K-6) is eligible to enroll in the Certificate in Early Literacy Program. To be considered for the Certificate in Early Literacy Program, candidates must fulfill several requirements. For additional information about these requirements please contact Cindy Brown at 719-255-4344

Required Coursework (12 credits)

Students involved in the Certificate program complete coursework in four semesters: Fall, Spring and Summer. The content of the courses is based on best practices supported by research and is presented in a meaningful, relevant and manageable context to in-service teachers. The focus of the courses is immensely practical, helping teachers to translate all theoretical knowledge directly into practical, strategic instruction.

Courses are listed below in sequence and all course rotations are subject to change.

Spring

Course #
&
Title		 Course Descriptions Semester Credits
CURR 5401 - Teaching Reading in the Elementary School Comparative analysis of predominant current philosophies/methodologies of reading instruction, current organizational procedures, skill development, and comprehension activities in the elementary school. 3
CURR 5412 - Reading Writing Connection Explores the relationships that exist between reading (decoding) and writing (encoding). Both reading and writing are viewed as inseparable parts of the complete language arts complex. Reading to write and writing to read are both important focus areas of this course. 3

Summer

Course #
&
Title		 Course Descriptions Semester Credits
CURR 5404 - Facilitating Reading in Preschool & Kindergarten Classrooms Historical background of reading readiness and strategies for advancing literacy in the preschool and kindergarten classroom. 3
CURR 5410 - Informal Diagnosis and Remedial Techniques of Reading Causes of low reading ability and techniques employed in teaching of the poor reader, diagnosis, motivation, and skills. 3

Fall

Course #
&
Title		 Course Descriptions Semester Credits
CURR 5404 - Facilitating Reading in Preschool & Kindergarten Classrooms Historical background of reading readiness and strategies for advancing literacy in the preschool and kindergarten classroom. 3
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