Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education
Build a foundation for your students' futures.
Strengthen the foundation for your career.
Are you passionate about fostering a love for reading, writing, and other forms of communication, such as image making, for the next generation? Do you believe in the transformative impact of literacy on a student's academic and personal development? Are you ready to enhance your resume and take the next step in your career? Our Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education provides students the opportunity to learn about cutting edge curriculum and instructional design principles of interdisciplinary reading, writing, and viewing texts, in and out of schools, in places such as museums and national parks.
Stepping Stone to a Master's Degree
Students can complete the program as a stand-alone certificate or apply the credit hours to the 30-credit Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Literacy and Reading Education.*
*If accepted and all requirements met
Convenient Schedule
Courses are scheduled in evenings to accommodate working professionals.
Multimodal Curriculum
Explore a multimodal curriculum that embraces a variety of teaching approaches, ensuring you are prepared to engage with diverse learners and teaching scenarios.
The GW Advantage
At GW, we capitalize on our unique location in the heart of our nation's capital. Our classroom extends into the city, incorporating the resources just steps from campus, allowing you to immerse yourself in a vibrant educational hub. Benefit from our access to leading national archives and libraries, and major science, arts, humanities, and performance centers.
We take learning beyond traditional settings as we design literacy activities in informal settings that students choose. Classes have met at the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Museums, the MLK Memorial Library, the Botanical Garden, and more. Students have harnessed these extraordinary resources to design curriculum and pedagogy, creating a truly distinctive "Only at GW" experience.
Degree Awarded:
Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education
Department:
Curriculum & Pedagogy
Course Delivery:
Foggy Bottom Campus
Program Entry:
Spring, Summer, Fall
- Our Mission
The mission of our literacy education certificate program is to empower individuals through comprehensive literacy education, broadly defined to include multimodal communication modes, such as visual and printed texts. We are dedicated to fostering skills that can be applied in both formal and informal settings, such as museums, parks, summer programs and through private tutoring. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that literacy is the cornerstone of personal growth, joy, social inclusion, and academic success.
- Curriculum
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 12 credits in required courses and completion of a portfolio to be evaluated during the final semester of study.
Course List Code Title Required: Courses must be taken in the order shown. CPED 6691 Interdisciplinary Adolescent Literacies CPED 6624 Foundations and Research of Literacy and Reading Education CPED 6223 Interdisciplinary Elementary School Literacies CPED 6628 Literacies in Informal Learning Environments - Program Outcomes
- Graduates will understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of interdisciplinary literacy.
- Graduates who are licensed teachers will take what they learn from the certificate program to extend and enhance their work in schools.
- The certificate also prepares its graduates to work in out-of-school settings, such as tutoring clinics and after school and summer programs.
Apply Now
GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >
To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at teachinfo
gwu [dot] edu (teachinfo[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.
| Apply Now | Schedule Consultation with Admissions Coach |
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.
- Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.
Applications are now being accepted for Summer and Fall 2025. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Application Timeline Spring Summer Fall Priority Deadline Aug 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Round 1 Deadline Sept 15 Dec 15 Dec 15 Round 2 Deadline Nov 1 Jan 15 Jan 15 Round 3 Deadline Dec 15 March 1 March 1 Round 4 Deadline N/A May 1 May 1 Round 5 Deadline N/A N/A June 15 Round 6 Deadline N/A N/A Aug 1 For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at teachinfo
gwu [dot] edu (teachinfo[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.
Tuition & Financial Aid
We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.
The tuition rate* for the Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education program is $1,960 per credit hour.
This program requires 12 credits.
Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.
*Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
GSEHD’s Curriculum and Instruction programs have a unique concoction of interdisciplinary pedagogy, reading, and literacy, all of which prepare teachers to work with diverse programs and cultures. GW has a strong connection with prestigious schools in the DMV area, which provides greater opportunities to network and complete practicums. I believe this program will help me achieve my goals, particularly through the guidance and expertise of the faculty and the hands-on experience I've received.
MAEVE CHEN (Current Student)
Career Outlook
Prepare for a wide range of career opportunities in literacy education, from working with young learners in K-12 schools to empowering adults in community programs. This specialized credential equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to work with students and promote literacy development. From a conventional perspective, there are great opportunities for promoting literacy and reading education in school settings. In addition, our program is framed with 21st Century ideas that define literacy broadly, which incorporates settings such as museums and other informal learning environments.
- Career Opportunities
-
- Literacy Specialist: Literacy specialists work in K-12 schools to support students who are struggling with reading and writing. They provide targeted interventions, assess students' literacy skills, and collaborate with teachers to improve literacy outcomes.
- Reading Coach: Reading coaches work with teachers and school staff to improve literacy instruction. They provide professional development, model effective teaching strategies, and help educators implement evidence-based literacy practices.
- Adult Literacy Instructor: Adult literacy instructors work with adult learners to improve their reading and writing skills. They may work in adult education programs, community colleges, or adult literacy organizations.
- Education Consultant: As an education consultant with expertise in literacy, you can provide guidance to schools and districts on how to improve their literacy programs, develop assessments, and implement effective literacy strategies.
- Private Tutor: With a graduate certificate in literacy education, you can offer private tutoring services to students of all ages who need help with reading and writing.
- Instructional Designer: In this role, you can design instructional materials, including online courses, for educational institutions or organizations with a focus on literacy instruction.
- Potential Employment Settings
-
- K-12 Schools/School Districts
- Adult Education Programs
- Libraries
- State Departments of Education
- Non-Profit Educational Organizations
- Informal Learning Environments, including Museums
