Gateway #1: Admission to Literacy Specialist Program
Applicants complete all required forms of the application process, including application to teacher education and application to the UT Graduate School.
- Have at least two years of teaching experience.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Have a specific, stated professional interest in literacy education, and in receiving the literacy education certificate.
- Have successfully completed TN 360 or prerequisite course REED 530 or literacy-related course upon approval. Contact Zoi A. Traga Philippakos at zphilipp@utk.edu.
- Qualified applicants undergo UT Admission Boards review.
- Admissions Boards report the Admissions Decisions, Projected Licensure Area, and estimated date of program completion.
- A Plan of Study is created for the applicant after admission to the Literacy Specialist Program.
- Candidates complete initial ProCAD.
Gateway #2: End of First Semester of LSP Program
- Candidates complete REED 529.
- Submit artifacts on HAL
- ILA standards (evaluated by instructor and self-assess) list standards are satisfactory (3) or higher
- Clinical experience Working 1:1 with learner, progress monitoring, etc.
- ProCAD Dispositions proficient
Gateway #3: End of Second Semester of LSP Program
- Candidates complete REED 537 and REED 540 (asynchronous online).
- Submit artifacts to HAL
- ILA standards (evaluated by instructor and self-assess) list standards are satisfactory (3) or higher
- Clinical experience Working 1:1 with learner, progress monitoring, etc.
- ProCAD Dispositions proficient
Gateway #4: End of Third Semester of LSP Program
- Candidates complete SPED 516.
- Submit artifacts to HAL
- ILA standards (evaluated by instructor and self-assess) list standards are satisfactory (3) or higher
- Clinical experience Working 1:1 with learner, progress monitoring, etc.
- ProCAD Dispositions proficient
- Complete Read 360
Gateway #5: End of Program
- Candidates complete REED 605.
- Submit artifacts to HAL
- Candidates pass PRAXIS for Literacy Specialist (ADD LINK)
- The Program confirms completion of all program requirements
- The Program confirms completion of LSP courses
- Office of Professional Licensure confirms completion and after receiving successful praxis notification the candidate is recommended to the state for the certificate to be added to their license. (5302 test)
- TNCompass status update completed by UT
Gateway #6: Transfer of Credits to Advance Degree
Literacy education faculty host free virtual literacy series (#UTLitSeries)! Sessions occur once a Month and have a one-hour duration. Topics address literacy development and instruction (e.g., phonological awareness components with practices, oral language). Be sure to check out our social media pages for more information on topics and faculty hosts. All sessions are offered via Zoom, and are open to educators, parents, and policymakers. You may also access previous recordings at
Visit our YouTube channel to catch up on all of our literacy professional development series videos!
Contact Information
If you have questions about the program or the course of study, please contact: Zoi A. Traga Philippakos at zphilipp@utk.edu
A222 Jane & David Bailey Education Complex
1126 Volunteer BoulevardKnoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-1920
