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K-12 Reading and Differentiated Instruction
Graduate Certificate
The graduate certificate in K-12 Reading and Differentiated Instruction allows practicing teachers to advance their knowledge in reading/literacy instruction, differentiation, and personalized learning. This concentrated, 6-course graduate program is ideal if you currently have a master’s degree and seek additional coursework to help you better meet the varied individual and collective needs of diverse learners. If you do not have a Master’s in Education, you might want to consider our M.Ed. in Teaching degree, Elementary Reading concentration.
Note: This program has specific admission requirements.
Program Courses
The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all courses.
Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Evaluate diagnostic approaches for K-12 struggling readers across curricular areas.
- Analyze reading, differentiated, and personalized instructional strategies that positively impact student learning.
- Design instructional activities and assessments that meet the diverse needs of K-12 learners.
Degree at a Glance
- Number of Credits 18
- Max Transfer Credits 9
- Tuition Per Credit $350 | $325 with military grant
- Program Length 1 year full time
- Program Format Online | Monthly course starts
- Program Director Kathleen Tate
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Admission Requirements
This graduate certificate program does not lead to state certification or licensure, nor can it be used to maintain state licensure or certification. We strongly encourage you to explore your state-specific requirements prior to applying here in order to make an informed decision.
All graduate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
In addition, the following documentation is required for admission into this program, and must be provided prior to course registration:
- Official bachelor’s or master’s transcript showing conferral of degree
- Graduate writing sample
- Non-Certification Questionnaire
- Statement of Understanding (SOU)
Important notes:
- This program is not designed to lead to certification or licensure. We strongly encourage you to explore your state-specific requirements prior to applying here in order to make an informed decision.
- As of November 1, 2014, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required for admission into this program.
- You are required to take EDUC590 as the first course in this degree program, but other courses may be taken in conjunction with EDUC590.
Please be prepared to submit a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students) upon request.
An APU admissions representative will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.
Need help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-777-9081 or info@apus.edu.
Graduate Tuition Rates
Per credit hour: $350 | $325 with military grant*
*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, APU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans. See all military-affiliated student benefits.
Paying for School
Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:
Ways to Save
Transfer Credits
Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.
Employer Contributions
APU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.
School of Education
This program resides in the American Public University School of Education which provides opportunities for practicing teachers to enhance their professional training in critical needs areas such as differentiated instruction, reading and literacy, gifted education, online learning, and educational leadership. We offer programs at all educational levels ranging from undergraduate certificates to masters of education. Undergraduate programs include pre-K child development, family and adolescence studies, and courses in instructional design. We also offer graduate-level certificates designed to enhance your leadership skills as school administrators.
The School of Education also provides individual continuing education courses to help you earn CE credits or meet your employer's professional development requirements. Our online educational courses are taught by the same professors teaching our degree programs. These courses are convenient, relevant, and affordable, and are ideal if you are an educational professional seeking to maintain certification or looking for career or salary advancement.
At APU, we understand your need for flexibility because most of our students are working adult learners balancing school around work and life commitments. This is why we offer 8-week or 16-week online courses that start monthly. Through an online virtual classroom, you’ll communicate with students and professors in forum communities as you work to complete your weekly written assignments on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. And with our mobile application, you can even work offline and upload your assignments when you reconnect.
We encourage you to browse the School of Education webpage to learn more about the school and to find a program that’s right for you.