NIU Post-Secondary Literacy Certificate
The Certificate of Graduate Study in Postsecondary Developmental Literacy and Language Instruction is a 15-credit hour program of study administered by the Department of Literacy Education in the College of Education and is available to any graduate-level student (including Students at Large) in good academic standing at Northern Illinois University. This Certificate is intended to prepare current and future college educators to serve a diverse group of students in a variety of postsecondary literacy contexts, including learning assistance programs and developmental/transitional programs in both community colleges and universities.
The Certificate allows for mastery in five areas related to postsecondary literacy instruction: theory, practice, assessment, research, and professional development. Students completing the Certificate will be equipped to understand and critically analyze the historical context of developmental literacy instruction; recognize the social, cultural, linguistic, and academic diversity of students enrolled in developmental literacy coursework; design and implement appropriate and effective evidence-based instruction; and participate professionally in the field of postsecondary developmental literacy.
The Certificate includes four required core courses: LTRE 519, Teaching Postsecondary Reading (or LTRE 719, Principles and Methods of Teaching Postsecondary Reading, for those interested in doctoral-level study), LTRE 512, Disciplinary Reading Instruction at the Postsecondary Level, LTRE 711, Seminar in Research Studies in the Field of Reading, and LTRE 521, Postsecondary Reading Assessment. The fifth course can be chosen based on individual interests from a list of adult and higher education, adult reading, or Bilingual/ESL courses.