Dyslexia Therapy

Education Specialist, Ed.S.

The WCU Dyslexia Therapy Program provides therapy training through a comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Based Structured Literacy Approach. After completion of the program, graduates are eligible for state licensure as a Dyslexia Therapist through the MS Department of Education, and are eligible to sit for the Alliance Exam for becoming a Nationally Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and the International Dyslexia Association’s Exam through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). The program is accredited through the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC).

Program Overview

Hours

This program is 36 hours and may be completed in two years. This program begins in the Summer trimester only

Delivery Method

The Specialist of Education in Dyslexia Therapy is structured in a two-year cohort format. The first 10 courses are face-to-face with a practicum component that requires supervision of 720 clinical hours. The Specialist degree will include 36 total trimester hours. Students will be assigned additional assessments to add to the rigor of the existing Dyslexia Therapy courses, plus completion of two additional courses that are required in the existing Specialist of Education program. All students will be required to sit for the Knowledge and Practice Examination of Effective Reading Instruction Exam (K-PPERI) which is required by IDA. Upon passing this exam, the candidate earns the national title of Certified Dyslexia Specialist.

Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements

Prospective students must:

Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university

Complete an online application & pay application fee

Submit transcripts of all college work completed to date to Graduate Admissions via eScript or mailed from the institution

Have a GPA of 3.25+ in a related master’s program

Hold or qualify to hold a teacher’s license to teach at the elementary or secondary level in Mississippi if seeking AAA License approval upon completion of the program

NOTE: Students who hold a master’s degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University may not apply for the specialist program in Dyslexia Therapy