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Postsecondary Literacy Instruction

The Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction is a graduate certificate offered by the Graduate Program in Literacy in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. This is a stand-alone certificate that can be earned without being accepted into a graduate degree program, and all courses are taught online. The purpose of the Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction is to prepare instructors with theoretically and pedagogically sound expertise in literacy instruction at the postsecondary level, including teaching developmental reading and basic writing in the community college, four-year college, and adult literacy program contexts. With foci that incorporate both theory and practice, coursework in the Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction addresses educational issues that arise in most community colleges and adult literacy programs.

Application Information

Program Code

18GC-PLI

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  For Fall semester admission, we recommend June 15th as the application deadline.  For Spring semester admission, we recommend November 15th as the application deadline.

  

Program Details

Program Requirements

Duration

varies

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Student Success Factors

Successful applicants:

• Hold a Baccalaureate Degree (Master's Degree is recommended, but not required)
• Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework
• Have completed a graduate-level reading and/or writing and/or language arts education course in the past five years (Note: Applicants who do not meet this prerequisite may be required to complete an additional online course as part of the Certificate coursework)
• Have basic familiarity with computers and the Internet

Career Possibilities

The Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction

• Prepares students to teach developmental reading and basic writing in community colleges and adult literacy programs
• May satisfy some employment requirements and/or continuing education requirements for many institutions of higher education

Note: Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction does not result in the issuance of a teaching license, nor is it a Master's Degree. Since postsecondary institutions vary widely in their teaching requirements, applicants are encouraged to contact the institution at which they are interested in teaching to ascertain specific employment requirements.

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Curriculum Guide Versions:

Fall 2012

Predominant Program

Postsecondary Literacy Instruction Coursework
• LSLS8001, Foundations of Postsecondary Literacy Instruction, , 3
• LSLS8002, Methods of Postsecondary Literacy Instruction: Focus on Reading, , 3
• LSLS8003, Practicum in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction, , 3
• LSLS8004, Methods of Postsecondary Literacy Instruction: Focus on Writing, , 3
• LSLS8005, Postsecondary Literacy: Second Language and Society, , 3
• LSLS8007, Projects in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction, , 3 - 6

Special Features

Special Opportunities

The Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Literacy Instruction (PLI) is designed to address a variety of current professional and disciplinary demands that arise in most community colleges and adult literacy programs: developmental reading, basic writing, reading and writing in English as a Second Language, linguistic and cultural differences, learning styles, etc. Additionally, by placing students in an actual developmental classroom, they are provided with a hands-on practicum experience at a site convenient to them that allows the incorporation of teaching interests into projects and lessons that encompass various facets of the methods and theories learned in their PLI classes. As a culminating experience, students work independently with their instructor to complete an intensive focus project about an aspect of postsecondary literacy instruction that interests them. Students who complete the PLI program will have 18 semester transcript hours that directly relate to the instruction of postsecondary students with developmental needs. Since many community colleges expect candidates for teaching positions to have earned a Master's Degree plus 18 semester credit hours in the content area, the program is designed to ensure the course work meets this requirement.

Contact

Connie Kendall Theado

Email: connie.kendall@uc.edu
Phone: 513-556-1427

2610 McMicken Circle
615-L Teachers College
Cincinnati,OH  45221-0022