Graduate diploma in education (reading development and instruction)
Note: This program does not qualify students for Newfoundland and Labrador Teaching Certification.
Program Information
The Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) is a four-course online graduate diploma with a strong focus on reading development and instruction. The diploma is intended as a program of study for students who want to further develop their professional learning and deepen their understanding of reading development to better support classroom-wide instruction, including the instruction of children who experience reading difficulty.
| RDI Program information Booklet |
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| For a detailed overview of the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) (RDI) program please refer to the RDI Program Information Booklet. |
| Funding Opportunity |
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| A Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) government bursary may be available for students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) program. Information can be found at the NL K-12 Professional Learning Newfoundland and Labrador website. (Note: A NLESD or CDLI account is required to access the application form - instructions provided at the site). |
| Online Program |
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| All courses included in the program are delivered by distance education. On-campus attendance is not required, but there are bi-weekly online synchronous meetings held for each course during each semester. Please note the synchronous meeting schedule posted for each course in Memorial Self-Service at time of registration. |
The courses will be offered fully online with biweekly synchronous meetings online, using the "Online Rooms" feature in the Brightspace/D2L platform. The fourth course in the program is a practicum-oriented course in which students will gain practical experience in reading assessment and instruction, while working with individual students and their classroom teachers in school-based settings. Students in this diploma program will begin their studies in the winter term and complete the program on a part-time basis-one course per semester-over four semesters.
Graduates of this program will be well positioned to take up many roles, such as reading-related program specialists in school districts or departments of education, school-based reading specialists, literacy support teachers, literacy coaches, classroom teachers and those who work in private practice as remedial reading tutors. The knowledge gained from this diploma may also help to strengthen the training of counselors.
Promotional Video
Application Deadline
The deadline for application to the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) program is August 15th and the program start date is January (Winter semester). Please refer to application submission deadlines.
Admission/Application Information
Please visit the links provided in the table below to learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) admission/application regulations and requirements.
| Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) |
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| School of Graduate Studies Admission Regulations |
| Faculty of Education Admission Requirements |
| Graduate Diploma Admission Requirements (refer to Master of Education Admission Requirements) |
Program Requirements
Please visit the link provided in the table below to learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) program requirements.
| Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) |
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| Program Requirements |
Students are required to complete the following FOUR courses:
| Course# | Course Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ED 6470 | Word and Sentence Level Reading Development and Instruction | This course examines the underpinnings of word identification, including phonological awareness, working memory, orthographic knowledge, and fluency. It will also examine the role of grammatical knowledge and syntactic awareness in sentence-level reading processes. Instruction and assessment of word-level and sentence-level processes are also key areas of focus. |
| ED 6471 | Text-level Reading Development and Instruction | This course examines the underpinnings of text including reading motivation, vocabulary development, and strategies for studying and comprehending text. The cognitive processes underlying reading comprehension will also be of particular interest. Instruction and assessment of text-level processes are also key areas of focus. |
| ED 6472 | Issues and Interventions in Reading Development and Instruction for Diverse Learners | This course examines the nature of reading development and instruction for diverse learner populations. Key areas of focus include the nature of second language reading as well as reading difficulties affecting word identification and reading comprehension. Special attention will be paid to assessment issues, principles and practices, including implementing assessments, interpreting results and planning appropriate evidence-based interventions. |
| ED 6473 | Praxis for Reading Specialists | This course extends the focus on assessment and instructional planning in prior coursework and also addresses issues in literacy leadership. Students will gain further experience in conducting reading assessments of school-age students and developing instructional plans to support student learning in small-group and whole-class settings. Issues in supporting classroom-based educators' practice will also be explored. |
Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) program may request a transfer to the Master of Education (Reading Development and Instruction) program prior to graduation.
- A candidate in full-time status may register for a maximum of 12 credit hours in any regular semester and a maximum of 6 credit hours in intersession or summer session.
- A candidate with part-time status may register for a maximum of 3 credit hours in any semester or session, excluding summer session, when 6 credit hours are permitted.
Program Cost
Please refer to Graduate Tuition and Fees for general information and the School of Graduate Studies Minimum Expense form for detailed tuition, special fee, and other program cost information.
Interested?
Students are required to apply online to have information formally assessed. Applications and official supporting documents are to be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the application deadline. Complete detailed application packages are expected by the deadline date. Applications may be submitted online by following the process outlined at School of Graduate Studies-Application Package.