Course Requirements (30 Hours)

Admission Requirements

The Dyslexia Therapy Education degree is offered in collaboration between the School of Education and the DuBard School for Language Disorders in the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences. The DuBard School for Language Disorders has extensive experience presenting educational and professional development opportunities to participants internationally. This International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and International Dyslexia Association (IDA) accredited program provides you with the knowledge necessary to help students with language-based learning difficulties face challenges in the classroom and in life. 

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) Competency Exam in multisensory structured language education which, when successfully completed, will lead to eligibility for the Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) national credential and membership in ALTA. Graduates will be eligible for the Mississippi Educator Licensure endorsement for dyslexia therapy.

Professional Licensure Disclosure:  Programs at The University of Southern Mississippi are designed to meet the professional competency standards for licensure in Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi cannot determine whether any program leads to licensure in any state other than Mississippi.  It is recommended that students who intend to seek licensure in another state verify that their program of study meets the desired state’s licensure requirements. For assistance with out-of-state licensure questions, please refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosures webpage.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures, applicants must meet the following requirements and submit the following documents:

1. A baccalaureate degree in education, speech and hearing sciences, or a related field with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (4.00 scale) on the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
2. Official scores from one of the following standardized exams – Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Praxis II Subject Assessment Examination.
3. Letters of Recommendation – Three (3) letters of recommendation from professionals in education or speech and hearing sciences who are qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study in dyslexia therapy.
4. Statement of Purpose – In a letter or essay format, describe your professional experiences and goals and how obtaining this degree will help you to realize those goals.
5. CV/Résumé
6. Copy of current educator license. Students who are otherwise qualified, but who do not hold a current educator license, may be admitted on a conditional basis, and will have until the end of the first semester of enrollment to obtain appropriate licensure.

This program admits new students each summer term. The application priority deadline is April 1. Representatives from both academic areas begin review of qualified applicants after April 1. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.