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School of Arts, Humanities & Education

K-12 Reading and Differentiated Instruction

Online Graduate Certificate in K-12 Reading and Differentiated Instruction

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

As a practicing teacher, you can gain more specialized knowledge in literacy instruction and personalized learning through the K-12 reading and differentiated learning graduate certificate program at American Public University (APU).

APU’s online K-12 reading and differentiated learning program helps those who wish to better meet the needs of diverse learners by implementing personalization through individualization and differentiation. As one of the few programs available that focus on personalized learning, you will discover how to evaluate diagnostic approaches for struggling K-12 readers and create unique instructional and assessment activities.

This K-12 reading certificate includes technology-based assignments, case studies, differentiated lesson plan activities, and problem-based scenarios.

This graduate certificate program does not lead to state certification or licensure, nor can it be used to maintain state licensure or certification. 

NOTE: This program is primarily suited to those who have a master’s degree. The program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Evaluate diagnostic approaches for struggling K-12 readers
  2. Analyze reading, differentiated, and personalized instructional strategies that positively impact student learning
  3. Design instructional activities and assessments that meet the diverse needs of K-12 learners

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4087

|
This course is designed to give regular education teachers strategies to use in academically and culturally diverse classrooms. Using case studies as a launching point, course participants will examine the complexities of balancing the needs of gifted education, general education, special education, and culturally diverse students in a standards-driven climate. Use of tiered assignments, alternative assessments targeting different intelligences, and other modifications will be evaluated, implemented, and refined. Course participants will collaborate to address beliefs, best practices, challenges, current research, and ways to apply them to their own teaching practice.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3953

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This course explores a variety of issues and strategies related to literacy and literacy assessment in the early and middle grades. Cases focus upon the problems and opportunities related to literacy instruction for at-risk student populations. Course participants will develop instructional This course explores a variety of issues and strategies related to literacy and literacy assessment in the early and middle grades. Content and activities focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency and related strategies through differentiated instruction, technology integration, and family partnerships. The focus of the course is on at-risk student populations and developing effective instructional and diverse assessment skills needed for teaching emergent, beginning, and instructional-level readers. (Prerequisite: EDUC503)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3948

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This course is designed for classroom teachers to effectively assess classroom reading. Participants will learn how to administer formal and informal measures of reading assessment, including screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring measures. The assessment-to-instruction connection is emphasized with a focus on emergent literacy, word recognition, fluency, spelling, comprehension, and affective factors. Educators will use a variety of assessment tools, practices, and adaptations to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3949

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This course is designed to assist educators in the teaching of reading and language arts. The focus will be on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The emphasis will be on creating environments conducive to developing all students’ skills in the four language arts using research-based instructional strategies. The course also focuses on differentiating instruction for students of varying literacy levels.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3950

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This course concentrates on interdisciplinary teaching and learning in elementary, middle, and high schools. Witnessing and discussing a range of cross-curricular activities, participants will develop an understanding of the benefits, challenges, and essential components of effective integrated instruction.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4361

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This advanced graduate course will examine the evidence-based practices for individual and collective student personalization in K-16+ classrooms and similar settings. Personalization is closely related to two additionally important approaches: individualization and differentiation. All three require a shift from a teacher-centered approach to an authentic student-centered approach. An effective student-centered focus requires tailoring of lessons to the abilities, interests, preferences, future life dreams, socio-emotional attributes, and other individual and collective needs of diverse students. The course examines motivation, assessment, and technological tools and how they pertain to personalization in online, face-to-face and hybrid contexts.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 6
Register by Jan 3
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In addition, the following is required for admission into this program. All documentation must be provided prior to course registration:

  • Official bachelor’s transcript showing conferral of degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or a master’s transcript showing conferral of degree
  • Graduate writing sample
  • Signed statement of understanding (SOU)

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

If you have a non-U.S. transcript, please view our International Admissions page for more information.

There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application. View steps to apply.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • 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. In addition, you may email our coordinator of certification and licensure at [email protected].
  • 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.

An APU admissions coach will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your documentation, and to notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

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 coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.