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  1. Home
  2. The Center for Business Development and Community Outreach
  3. Certificate Programs

Teaching Writing and Literacy Certificate

Every day technology is changing how we communicate.

Are you trying to include more writing in your curriculum? Do the writing elements of the PA Core Standard concern you? No matter what subjects you teach, Penn State’s Specialist Certificate: Teaching Writing and Literacy is for you!

This 15-credit program is similar to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s range of educational endorsements. The Writing Specialist Certificate is designed to afford educators deep study in all aspects of teaching literacy. It provides the teacher with real-world skills for implementing the writing requirements of the PA Core Standards.

Thanks to social media, texting, emails, blogging, digital publishing, and the Internet, the role of the written word has become more important than ever. People will make decisions based on how we present ourselves in our writing. By adopting standards that require School Districts to incorporate writing at every level and in every subject, law makers and state officials have stressed just how important it is for our children to be able to write well.

The Teaching Writing and Literacy Certificate is designed for teachers who want to incorporate more quality writing into their curriculum. The program contains twelve core credits plus a 3-credit elective concentration for a 15-credit certificate. These courses may “step up” as electives into PSU Harrisburg’s Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum.

Who Should Attend?

This program is designed for K-12 teachers in all content areas including ESL, gifted and special education. Literacy coaches, paraprofessionals, Curriculum Coordinators and school Administrators will also find this program of tremendous value. (3 credits)

Certificate Program Benefits

Certificate programs provide a flexible, convenient, short-term opportunity for professional development, self enhancement, and earning a formal academic credential from Penn State. Certificate program courses can “step up,” or be applied to, academic degrees at Penn State.

Required Core Courses (12 credits):

COURSE DESCRIPTION DATE TIME
EDUC 452: Teaching Writing
(3 credits)

The first course in the series offers techniques for teaching the writing process, kindergarten through grade 12, including writing in the content areas and incorporating the Common Core State Standards.

This course is a prerequisite for EDUC 463, 425 and 477. 

To be determined. -
EDUC 463: Teaching with Modern Web Technologies
(3 credits)

This course relates educational theory and practice to applications of the modern Web, applying content from educational foundations, curriculum, and research.

Prerequisite: EDUC 452

To be determined. -
EDUC 425: Literacy Assessment
(3 credits)

This course emphasizes alternative literacy measures for assessing writing, specifically focusing on portfolio and performance evaluation for classroom and large scale assessment.

Prerequisite: EDUC 452

To be determined. -
EDUC 477: Teaching Struggling Readers and Writers
(3 credits)

This course offers a comprehensive overview of learning problems and effective strategies for teaching K-12 students who have difficulties reading and writing.

Prerequisite: EDUC 452

To be determined. -

Elective Courses (3 Credits - choose one):

COURSE DESCRIPTION DATE TIME
EDUC 432: Children's Literature in Teaching Writing
(3 credits)

Participants will learn methods for transferring writing skills and literary devices from literature to student writing in all subject areas.

No prerequisites 

To be determined. -
ENGL 472: Current Theories of Writing and Reading
(3 credits)

Investigates models of textual production and reception current within English studies. 

 

To be determined. -
EDUC 464: Technology and the Learning Process
(3 credits)

This course examines and evaluates the relationship between technology-based resources for writing and learning theories through design, implementation and evaluation of online instructional modules.

No prerequisites.

To be determined. -
EDUC 400: Diversity and Cultural Awareness Practices in the K-12 Classroom

This course addresses diversity, cultural awareness and sensitivity about cultures, concepts and methods in society, communities and educational settings.

No prerequisites. 

To be determined. -
EDUC 416: Teaching Secondary English and the Humanities
(3 credits)
 
This course is designed to prepare candidates with the objectives, content, methods and knowledge necessary to teach English in today's secondary classrooms in middle and high schools. The pedagogical approaches, dispositions, and skills appropriate for adolescent learners will be highlighted. To be determined. -
EDUC 471: Best Practices in Literacy
(3 credits)
An application of best literacy practices to classroom instruction and assessment of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  To be determined. -
EDUC 465: Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Learners
(3 credits)

The course provides teachers with knowledge, understandings, and skills to engage culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in mainstream classrooms.
To be determined. -

How to Apply for Graduate Credit Certificate Programs:

This is a post-baccalaureate certificate designed specifically for people working in education. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required to enroll in this certificate. If you are interested in enrolling, you will need to apply for the certificate. Please contact us at 570-963-2600.

Financial Aid:

Information on financial aid, including grants and loans, is available for part-time students enrolled in a credit certificate program.

The Center's Programs and Training Options

  • Course Offerings at the Center for Business Development
  • About Community Outreach and Development

    • Diversity Circles
    • Entrepreneur and Small Business Development
    • Family Business Alliance
  • Career and Professional Development

    • AutoCAD Training
    • Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
    • Introduction to Revit 3D Modeling Software 
    • Introduction to Teaching English to English Language Learners
    • Professional Development for Educators
    • Spanish in the Workplace
    • Supervision Essentials Certificate Program
    • Workshops and Seminars
  • Certificate Programs

    • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP)
    • Financial Accounting Certificate
    • Integrated Digital Marketing
    • Introduction to Business Management Certificate
    • Introduction to Corporate Communication Certificate
    • Nursing Management Certificate
    • Supply Chain Management Certificate
    • Teaching Writing and Literacy Certificate
  • Corporate Training

    • Customized Training Programs
    • Functional Manager Program
    • Leadership Development Series
    • Organization-Wide Training Program
  • Industry Focused Courses and Credentials

    • APICS/ASCM Certification Prep Programs
    • Certified Recovery Specialist Program
    • Human Resources Management (SHRM)
    • Real Estate Classes
  • Youth Programs

Contacts

John C. Drake
Center Director
[email protected]
 
Jo Ann Durdan
Education Program Assistant
[email protected]

Caroline Mongelli
Administrative Support Assistant
[email protected]

Office Location:

Gallagher Conference Center
(570) 963-2600

Contact The Center

Penn State Scranton

120 Ridge View Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2500
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