Graduate Certificate in Family Literacy at Pennsylvania State University

The certificate in Family Literacy, based on a multidisciplinary approach to literacy instruction involving both adult educators and early childhood education and family literacy specialists, is intended for location-bound students who work in a variety of literacy-related settings, both formal and informal. These settings include public schools and preschools (teachers, teaching assistants, reading specialists), organizations such as Head Start and grant-funded family literacy programs. The goal of the certificate is to build the capacity of the field to provide high-quality, research-based instruction and program development in family literacy. The certificate consists of a 12-credit program delivered online through the World Campus. The program objectives include strengthening program effectiveness through developing an understanding of staff roles and responsibilities as part of a collaborative family literacy team and supporting a learner-centered approach to delivering program services.

1. FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS: Students will understand the qualifying and distinguishing characteristics of families, such as strengths, goals, and needs, for whom family literacy services are designed.
2. PROGRAM CHARAC: Students will be able to identify key characteristics and quality standards for the four components of family literacy programs: Adult Education (AE), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Parent Education (PE), and Interactive Literacy Activities (ILA).
3. ROLE OF PROF DEV: Students will understand the role of professional development in family literacy.
4. ROLE OF DIVERSITY: Students will understand how diversity impacts family needs and delivery of program services.
5. ROLE OF AE: Students will understand the role of adult education and how it relates to adult learners' needs and their roles as caregivers, workers, and community members.
6. CHILDREN LANG & LIT: Students will identify key characteristics of children's language and literacy development and how parents can support their children becoming successful readers and writers.
7. PARENT ROLE: Students will learn how to strengthen and enhance parents' knowledge of their roles and responsibilities as their children's first teachers8.ENGAGE IN ILA: Students will learn how to engage in interactive literacy activities with children and how to engage with schools and teachers.