The Early Grade Reading Graduate Certificate is the first university program that focuses specifically on early grade reading in developing countries. This 15-credit, fully-online program offers state-of-the-art professional development for practitioners and policymakers working on early grade reading projects around the world.

The goal of the Early Grade Reading Program is to:

  • Increase the capacity of government and non-governmental personnel to develop, monitor and improve early grade reading programs in developing countries.
     
  • Provide accessible training to practitioners and policy makers who work in early grade reading but cannot attend university classes in the U.S.
     
  • Serve as a stepping stone to a Master’s degree for those who finish the certificate and then want to apply to the International Education concentration at UMass Amherst (the 15 credits from the Graduate Certificate can be applied towards the 36-credit Master’s degree or the doctoral degree with specialization in international education).