Dyslexia Graduate Certificate
Now accepting applications for Spring 2025
Full List of Courses
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The UF Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia helps current educators and practitioners develop the knowledge and skills to provide individualized reading interventions for students with dyslexia. To find out more about the program, please see the video below.
About Our Program
It is estimated that dyslexia affects approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population, which means that 1 in 5 children could potentially struggle with dyslexia. Education on the challenges of dyslexia is essential, yet there is evidence to support the fact that teachers and other professionals are not adequately prepared to support students with dyslexia.
The Dyslexia Certificate is a fully online program that is designed for practicing educators and other related service professionals. Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Conduct and interpret effective literacy assessments.
- Design and implement evidence-based literacy intervention for students with dyslexia in K-12 settings.
This certificate is a total of 15 credit hours. Information about current tuition for online graduate coursework in our program can be found in our FAQ.
“Now I am better equipped to be the voice of students, parents, and even my own son. The dyslexia courses have been a timely blessing in my life.”
Traci Salari – Teacher, Parent & Graduate
Admissions Requirements
Potential students of this online certificate include teachers and other related professionals who aspire to work with children with dyslexia.
Requirements for admission include an earned Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related area of study from a regionally accredited university. Official transcripts are required for admission.
There is an expectation that potential students have some prior knowledge and experiences in teaching reading.
Application Deadlines:
Fall Admission – June 30th
Spring Admission – November 22nd
“This program really just gives you so much insight and information…every instructor is just so knowledgeable. It was very worthwhile.”
Maria Ciocca – Speech and Language Therapist & Graduate
Course Description and Sequence
All the courses delineated below are required for completion of the certificate. However, students may enroll in any of the courses outlined as part of their coursework in other graduate level studies.
Course 1: EEX 6135 Foundations of Literacy Development and Dyslexia
This course addresses the critical components of literacy development and introduces participants to the nature and needs of students with dyslexia. The focus is on the effects of dyslexia on learning to read and write. The course will also address the historical development of the field, relevant laws, and policies.
6 week course.
Course 2: EEX 6136 Dyslexia: Language and the Brain
This course addresses dyslexia’s neurobiological origins, its effect on language and literacy development, and the variations in the processing and development of the various elements of language and literacy among students with and without dyslexia. The course also addresses linguistic structures of and historical influences on the English language.
10 week course.
Course 3: EEX 6137 Dyslexia: Assessment for Intervention
This course addresses the principles and practices of effective assessment for students with dyslexia, including the various purposes of assessment, the psychometric properties of high-quality assessment tools, and issues related to test administration. Students will identify effective assessment tools, develop informal assessment procedures, and interpret assessment data to design intervention.
8 week course.
Course 4: EEX 6138 Dyslexia: Intervention Methods
This course addresses principles and practices of evidence-based literacy intervention for students with dyslexia, including the stages of literacy development, the varied challenges that students may encounter as they develop literacy, effective intervention in various components of literacy, and the issues involved in designing a comprehensive literacy intervention program.
8 week course.
Course 5: EEX 6855 Dyslexia: Practicum in Assessment and Intervention
The practicum integrates the theoretical study of dyslexia assessment and intervention practices with application in authentic settings. In this course, students apply the principles of effective assessment and intervention and implement evidence-based practices for students with dyslexia. Students also apply what they have learned to effect change their local settings.
16 week course.
“I think the UF Dyslexia Certificate professors are truly amazing in their expertise of the subject matter and flexibility in accommodating their students,”
Christopher Beland – School Administrator & Graduate
Course Schedule
The Dyslexia Certificate is designed to be completed in 3 semesters (one academic or calendar year). Below is the projected course schedule for the three current admit terms.
Fall Admission |
Course Schedule |
|
Fall: |
Course 1 (6 weeks) and Course 2 (10 weeks) |
|
Spring: |
Course 3 (8 weeks) and Course 4 (8 weeks) |
| Summer: |
Course 5 (12-14 weeks) |
*Total program: 15 credits
Spring Admission |
Course Schedule |
|
Spring: |
Course 1 (6 weeks) and Course 2 (10 weeks) |
|
Summer: |
Course 3 (8 weeks) and Course 4 (8 weeks) |
|
Fall: |
Course 5 (12-14 weeks) |
*Total program: 15 credits
Reading Endorsement
Florida teachers who currently hold a Professional Certificate may be eligible to add the Reading Endorsement to their credentials by taking the certificate courses.
In order to be eligible for the Reading Endorsement, participants must:
- submit documentation of current Florida certification at admission
- purchase Livetext, a system used by UF to monitor your completion of the Florida Reading Competencies,
- complete all 5 courses, and
- be in good standing in the program.
Completion of these courses does not automatically result in obtaining the Florida Reading Endorsement. Upon certificate completion, candidates must submit documentation as required by the Florida Department of Education on their own in order to add the Florida Reading Endorsement credential.
Florida Teachers, you may be eligible for tuition support
Even easier than 1, 2, 3. The Tuition Support Programs for Exceptional Student Educators (ESE) provide financial support to ESE teachers earning an endorsement in reading.
- Download the application here
- Upon funding approval, apply for the UF Dyslexia Graduate Certificate!
Please email Melanie Morales, Project Director, at esesupport@fiu.edu if you have questions.
Tuition support is made available through Florida’s Personnel Development Support Project, a special project funded by the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, through federal assistance under IDEA, Part B.
Interested in one of our online graduate degree programs?
Find Out More About the Dyslexia Graduate Certificate
