NJDOE Approves Centenary’s New Early Literacy Specialist Certificate Program

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, Nov. 5, 2025—Centenary University has received approval from the New Jersey Department of Education for a new certificate program to train and certify teachers as early literacy specialists, equipping them to support students from preschool through third grade. The new certificate is offered through the University’s Graduate Literacy Program.

Certified teachers in New Jersey can apply to this new six-course certificate program, which provides intensive training grounded in evidence-based best practices. Coursework covers foundations of literacy instruction, structured literacy, diagnosing and addressing learning difficulties, and children’s literature. The program culminates in a hands-on fieldwork experience in the teacher’s home district, supervised by a certified reading specialist.

A benefit of the program is that educators complete the certificate as certified early literacy specialists, with all six courses eligible to roll into Centenary’s Master of Education in Literacy Instruction. With just five additional classes, students can earn their Master of Education, K-12 reading specialist certification, and K-12 ESL teacher certification.

The program uses a hybrid format, with a once-per-month meeting on campus complemented by virtual classes and Centenary’s asynchronous learning platform, enabling full-time educators to advance their knowledge and credentials while maintaining their careers.

Lexis McCoy, Ed.D., director of the Master of Education in Literacy Instruction noted, “Creating confident readers takes highly trained educators. At Centenary, we train our literacy specialists in the most current evidence-based best practices and teach them how to reach learners through joyful learning experiences and positive relationships. We are very proud of our completers who are in the field working as reading specialists, ESL teachers, classroom teachers, and school leaders. Many of our graduates return to teach in our program and present at our conferences. It is a testament to the relationships we develop with our graduate students, our hands-on advising, and the strong network Centenary University has with our public school partners.”

Centenary University’s School of Education and Humanities is a leader in bachelor’s degree programs in teacher preparation, as well as studies in English, history, and mathematics. The graduate education programs feature master’s and doctoral level degrees. The University’s Master of Education in Literacy Instruction is recognized by the International Literacy Association (ILA) for its commitment to supporting the ILA’s Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals and ensuring that it offers the highest quality teacher preparation and ongoing professional development. Centenary University’s master’s degree program enables graduate students to meet state requirements for their New Jersey reading specialist certification while completing a master’s degree. Candidates have the choice to pair a master’s degree with a supervisor licensure or ESL certification.  

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Ph.D. in Happiness Studies and first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.