Northern Illinois University’s College of Education, through its Department of Literacy and Elementary Education, has added a certificate of Graduate Studies in Postsecondary Developmental Literacy and Language Instruction to its growing roster of online graduate programs and certificates.
The new online certificate in postsecondary literacy is a 15-credit-hour program of study available to all graduate-level students – including students at large – who are in good academic standing at NIU. The certificate is intended to prepare current and future college educators to work in developmental or transitional programs in both community college and university settings.
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 evidence-based instruction; and
- participate professionally in the field of postsecondary developmental literacy.
Sonya L. Armstrong
Sonya L. Armstrong, program coordinator for the new online postsecondary literacy certificate, said the program will provide students with the opportunity for mastery in five areas related to postsecondary literacy instruction: theory, practice, assessment, research and professional development.
Obtaining graduate credit or a certificate online can give education professionals the opportunity to pursue graduate work as well as learn valuable skills, which will help to advance their careers and better serve the students they teach. Just as important, NIU’s online graduate programs allow students to achieve their education goals while continuing to work a full-time job.
U.S. News & World Report ranked the College of Education’s online graduate programs No. 1 in the nation in 2014 up from fourth place in 2013.
“This is the 21st century, and online programs are becoming ubiquitous in higher education,” said NIU College of Education Dean La Vonne Neal. “It’s important that NIU remain at the forefront of high quality online education.”
For more information, call (815) 753-8486 or email sarmstrong@niu.edu.
