Reading Specialist Licensure and Certification

The following Reading Specialist programs at Wayne State are designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska:

• Reading Specialist MSE graduate program
• Reading Specialist non-degree graduate endorsement

If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program. For a list of licensing entities, please visit NC-SARA's professional licensure directory.

Also, be sure to notify the Director of Education Services at WSC to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements if you relocate during the course of a program.

Arkansas reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Content Specialist Literacy K-6 endorsement in Arkansas.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Content Specialist Literacy K-6 endorsement in Arkansas.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. You must have three years of teaching experience, or you must pass identified Praxis exams. Certain endorsements also require an Arkansas history course.

For more information on licensure requirements in Arkansas, contact the Arkansas Department of Education.

California reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading and Literacy Specialist endorsement in California. You must also have three years of teaching experience.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading and Literacy Specialist endorsement in California. You must also have three years of teaching experience.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. California has a two-tier credential structure. A preliminary credential is the first document issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements. The preliminary credential is issued for a maximum of five years. A clear credential is issued when all credential requirements have been completed. 

For more information on licensure requirements in California, contact the California Department of Education.

Colorado reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement in Colorado.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement in Colorado. 

Must meet content competency requirements, through Praxis exam, endorsement worksheet or Multiple Measures of Competency. May be granted interim authorization while fulfilling additional requirements.

For more information on licensure requirements in Colorado, contact the Colorado Department of Education.

Florida reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading K-12 endorsement in Florida.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading K-12 endorsement in Florida.

Can obtain a temporary certificate while completing any needed requirements while teaching.

For more information on licensure requirements in Florida, contact the Florida Department of Education.

Iowa reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement in Iowa.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement in Iowa.

No Praxis exams required. If candidates do not obtain a Nebraska license first and seek reciprocity, they must go through a transcript review, which could identify deficiencies. Iowa also requires a certificate from Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training.

For more information on licensure requirements in Iowa, contact the Iowa Department of Education.

Kansas reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist PK-12 endorsement in Kansas. You must also earn a minimum 3.25 GPA in the program.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist PK-12 endorsement in Kansas. You must also earn a minimum 3.25 GPA in the program.

Must receive Nebraska certification first. School Administration must have passed Praxis or have taught for the year prior to application.

For more information on licensure requirements in Kansas, contact the Kansas Department of Education.

Minnesota reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Leader K-12 endorsement in Minnesota.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Leader K-12 endorsement in Minnesota.

Additional endorsements require at least 80 practicum hours within that content area. K-12 must student teach at elementary, middle, and high school.

For more information on licensure requirements in Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Department of Education.

Missouri reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Reading K-12 endorsement in Missouri.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Special Reading K-12 endorsement in Missouri.

An applicant who completed a teacher education program in another state and possesses a valid professional certificate in that state may be granted a Missouri certificate in an area most closely aligned to the certification if Missouri issues such certificate. If an educator is completing or has completed a teacher education program in another state (either on campus or online), it would be beneficial to obtain that state's certificate whether one plans to reside in that state or not. In most cases, a Missouri certificate is issued with no further coursework or test requirements. If an area of certification is not equivalent, an educator may be evaluated based upon Missouri's current requirements for the most closely aligned certificate.

For more information on licensure requirements in Missouri, contact the Missouri Department of Education.

Nebraska reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate program (MSE) is designed to prepare students for licensure or certification as a Reading Specialist in Nebraska. This endorsement requires that you already have a valid teaching certificate and two years of teaching experience.
• The Reading Specialist non-degree graduate endorsement is designed to prepare students for licensure or certification as a Reading Specialist in Nebraska. This endorsement requires that you already have a valid teaching certificate and two years of teaching experience.

Nebraska Department of Education Teacher Certification

Wisconsin reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement in Wisconsin. You must also have three years of teaching experience, meet all requirements under s. PI 34.065, and have a reading teacher license under s. PI 34.082.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement in Wisconsin. You must also have three years of teaching experience, meet all requirements under s. PI 34.065, and have a reading teacher license under s. PI 34.082.

Must have a 3.0 GPA in content area or pass a designated content test. All applicants applying for a Wisconsin teaching license in early childhood, elementary education (PK-5), special education, or reading are required to pass the Foundations of Reading Test for Wisconsin, a test of reading instruction knowledge and skills administered by Pearson Education, Inc. Out-of-state teacher license applicants, except those pursuing a license via reciprocity, must verify that they have met all coursework requirements that fulfill all Wisconsin statutory requirements, including training on science-based reading and language arts instruction.

For more information on licensure requirements in Wisconsin, contact the Wisconsin Department of Education.

Wyoming reading specialist certification

• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) MSE program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading K-6 and 7-12 endorsements in Wyoming.
• The Reading Specialist (PK-12) graduate-level endorsement program at Wayne State may certify you for the Reading K-6 and 7-12 endorsements in Wyoming.

A Praxis test is required for the Elementary Education and Secondary Social Studies. Application process includes a 20-question multiple choice test for the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions, with a 75% passing scoring required (can be retaken until passed). A provisional license can be issued to candidates who have been hired but have not passed the Praxis (good for one year).

For more information on licensure requirements in Wyoming, contact the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board.