What Reading Specialists Do

A person holding a valid Pennsylvania Reading Specialist certificate is qualified to provide instruction and interventions to students (PreK-12) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening across the curriculum.

Professional Licensure

Graduates of Seton Hill’s Critical and Cultural Literacy Program (or the standalone postbaccalaureate Reading Specialist Certificate Program) are eligible to become reading specialists by passing the Reading Specialist Praxis. After passing the Praxis exam and reporting their scores to Seton Hill University, graduates can apply for an “Instructional I Reading Specialist” certificate through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). (This system is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of  Education, and graduates are responsible for initiating the process and all associated fees.) In addition to preparing you for Level I certification, both the master's degree and the standalone postbaccalaureate certificate program fulfill many of the academic requirements for Level II certification as well.