Master of Education in Special Education with Dyslexia Credential
The Master of Special Education with Dyslexia Credential prepares current state-certified teachers and tutors to educate students who are reading below grade level or have been diagnosed with a reading or language disability. The program includes the courses and training needed for Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Level I Certification. Students who complete this certificate would become eligible for the Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner credential from the Wilson Reading System® Corporation. Additional coursework in Special Education provides foundational content knowledge and skill development that are applicable to the field of special education in general with an emphasis on dyslexia studies.
The program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree who currently hold, or who have completed all requirements to obtain, a state teaching credential. Read the Press Release at this link.
Graduate Education Virtual Info Sessions
One great thing about the graduate programs is that you’re not only surrounded by students who just graduated college. You also have peers and faculty who are working professionals and teachers in the field. They provide such an important perspective to your learning experience. Some work in public schools, charter schools, or private schools and through collaborating with them, you learn how the concepts you read about actually apply in the real world.
Jamie Comeau ’25G, Master of Education in Special Education with Dyslexia Credential
We are thrilled to be collaborating with Wilson Language Systems® to offer a credential in dyslexia instruction. Superintendents and school principals are eager to hire teachers who have this specialized skill set. They know this type of instruction can make a world of difference in the lives of many children for whom learning to read is a challenge. Likewise, parents often request a Wilson trained teacher because they know their track record for helping students with dyslexia to learn to read is exceptional.
Dr. Beth Schaper, Visiting Assistant Professor of Education (Secondary Education), Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, and former School Superintendent
Program Information
The academic coursework of the program is sequenced to run during the summer, fall, and spring semesters with a full-time student completing the coursework in one academic year. This sequence will allow a full-time student to complete their Wilson Level I Dyslexia Practitioner Certification sequence and the remainder of the coursework during the same year. A part-time student will complete the Wilson Level I Dyslexia Practitioner Certification sequence and coursework during the 1st year and the remainder of the coursework during the 2nd year which concludes in the spring.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Master the methods of intensive multisensory, explicit teaching and assessment practices and apply them to help a student(s) with language-based learning disabilities (dyslexia) to read.
- Understand the structure of the English language as it pertains to the science of reading and multisensory reading instruction.
- Complete a 65+ lesson practicum with an approved student that helps the student make significant progress in learning to read and spell more effectively with the effective practitioner earning a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner® credential.
- Understand key components of effective practice in the field of special education including assessment, diagnosis of disabilities, inclusion, modified instruction, current research, and individualized educational planning.
- Apply knowledge and skills to educational programming for students with a variety of special educational needs. Understand and properly select from a variety of instructional and placement options to meet individualized students’ learning needs and develop appropriate plans for individualized support.
Coursework
The program includes 34 credit hours of course work and features the 10-credit Wilson Reading System® training with its required practicum.
EDU 550 Fundamentals of Special Education (3 credits)
EDU 557 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Special Education (3 credits)
EDU 559 Assessment of Special Learning Needs in Children and Adolescents (3 credits)
EDU 565 Inclusion: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
EDU 579 The Science of Reading (3 credits)
EDU 575 Wilson Reading System Introductory Course (1 credit)
EDU 577 Wilson Reading System Steps 1-6 Practicum (3 credits)
EDU 578 Collaborative Approach to Individualized Education Planning (3 credits)
EDU 582 Structured Literacy (3 credits)
EDU 584 Language-based instruction in Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Writing (3 credits)
EDU 585 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 1 (3 credits)
EDU 586 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 2 (3 credits)
Program Sequence
The Program begins in early July (Summer II)
FULL TIME
Summer II (7 credits)
EDU 550 Fundamentals of Special Education
EDU 559 Assessment of Special Learning Needs in Children and Adolescents
EDU 575 Wilson Reading System Introductory Course
Fall (12 credits)
EDU 577 Wilson Reading System Steps 1-6 Practicum (this practicum will stretch across the full academic year)
EDU 585 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 1
EDU 584 Language-based instruction
EDU 565 Inclusion: Theory and Practice
Spring (9 credits)
EDU 579 The Science of Reading
EDU 582 Structured Literacy
EDU 586 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 2
Summer I (6 credits)
EDU 557 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Special Education
EDU 578 Collaborative Approach to Individualized Education Planning
PART TIME
Year 1: Summer II (4 credits)
EDU 550 Fundamentals of Special Education
EDU 575 Wilson Reading System Introductory Course
Year 1: Fall (6 credits)
EDU 577 Wilson Reading System Steps 1-6 Practicum (this practicum will stretch across the full academic year)
EDU 585 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 1
Year 1: Spring (3 credits)
EDU 586 Wilson Reading System Intensive Instruction for the Non-responsive Reader, Part 2
Year 1: Summer I (6 credits)
EDU 557 Research and Evidence Based Practice in Special Education
EDU 578 Collaborative Approach to Individualized Education Planning
Year 2: Summer II (3 credits)
EDU 559 Assessment of Special Learning Needs in Children and Adolescents*
Year 2: Fall (6 credits)
EDU 584 Language-based instruction*
EDU 565 Inclusion: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Year 2: Spring (6 credits)
EDU 579 The Science of Reading*
EDU 582 Structured Literacy*
* denotes RIDE-approved Dyslexia proficiency endorsement coursework. Coursework can be started with non-degree student status.
M.Ed. in Special Education Stories
Tuition and Fees
- Graduate Tuition Rates: Education
- $830 Fee for Wilson coursework, in addition to tuition. This fee must be paid by all enrolled students and is not waived for anyone with a tuition waiver or Graduate Assistants.
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- $65 application fee
- Résumé
- Two professional recommendation forms
- Official college transcripts (a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA is required for full admission)
- State-issued teaching credentials
- Statement of Interest (approximately 500 words):
- Describe how you became interested in pursuing a credential in dyslexia studies. How do you envision this training being put to good use in your future pursuits?
Application Deadlines
Since this is a cohorted program, space is limited. If you are interested in joining the next cohort, please consider applying early.
Priority: November 1st
Regular: March 1st
Space Available Basis: June 1st
All other applicants who submit their materials after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
Marcy Zipke, Ph.D.
Director
Harkins Hall 319
401.865.2695
mzipke@providence.edu
Taylor Odell
GA for Counseling and Special Education
todell.ga@providence.edu