Specialist Credential Programs

Specialist Instruction Credentials

A specialist instruction credential authorizes the holder to work as a specialist in the area designated. Specialty preparation requires advanced coursework and development of special competencies.

Reading Literacy Added Authorization (Certificate)

San Francisco State University offers a 15 unit Reading Literacy Added Authorization (Certificate) consisting of five courses, all of which apply to the Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential, should the Reading Literacy Added Authorization candidate wish to complete the more advanced credential.

The Reading Literacy Added Authorization authorizes the holder to assess student reading and provide reading instruction in response to the assessments. The holder is also authorized to develop, implement, and adapt the reading and content curriculum, and assist classroom teachers in these areas. The certificate holder may perform these services at one or more school sites at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite credential.

Admission to the Reading Literacy Added Authorization program requires that the candidate hold a valid elementary or secondary teaching credential, either

  1. a teaching credential that requires a bachelor’s degree and a professional preparation program that includes student teaching, or
  2. a clear, full-time designated subjects teaching credential, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s degree and has passed the CBEST.

Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or better in the last 60 semester units.

The applicant must verify three years of successful, full-time teaching experience in any grades or subjects, pre-school through adult at the time of program completion. They must hold a California teaching credential. Out-of-state credentials must meet the requirements of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. However, neither student teaching nor internship teaching nor teaching while holding an emergency credential will count toward the three years of experience required for the Reading Literacy Added Authorization. The following courses are required:

Reading Literacy Added Authorization (Certificate) (15 units)

E ED 705Exploring Child and Adolescent Literature3
E ED 7263
E ED 7703
E ED 771Literacy Clinic II: Multidisciplinary Assessment and Remediation of Language and Literacy Problems3
E ED 869Enhancing Access for Bi-Literate Learner, TK-123

Application Process

In addition to the university graduate application, please submit the following to the:

Reading/Language Arts Coordinator
San Francisco State University
Department of Elementary Education
Graduate College of Education
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue, Burk Hall 179
San Francisco, CA 94132

Submit a statement of purpose, unofficial transcript, and two letters of recommendation addressing professional and academic abilities.