Reading Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential

Program Description

The Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) is for candidates, holding a valid teaching credential, who want to specialize in the field of literacy and become effective leaders for California’s multicultural population. Candidates who complete the specialist credential program will have developed competencies to provide specialized services in literacy in any grade—preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and in classes organized for adults. The holder of a RLLSC may:

  1. Provide direct reading intervention to students and adapt instructional routines and strategies to provide direct specialized reading instruction to students with severe reading difficulties, including monitoring and adjusting intervention instruction.
  2. Coordinate adoption and facilitate implementation of adopted literacy curricula, including training to teachers.
  3. Select and administer reading and literacy assessments, interpret results to determine student growth and identification of struggling students, select interventions, communicate results, and provide guidance and coaching to teachers.
  4. Design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive literacy plan.
  5. Support students’ literacy development and inform and train teachers in literacy skills using information and communication technologies.
  6. Evaluate literacy practices and report findings; guide teachers and administrators in collaborative efforts to design, implement, and evaluate local, state and/or federal programs; and plan and conduct staff development.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the department. See Notice to Students: Licensure and Certification for more information.

Program Requirements

A. Required Prior to Admission

  1. RLLSC program application.
  2. University application [link to Cal state apply].
  3. Department Application.
  4. Transcripts (official copy of transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree and all post-B.A. coursework).
  5. Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
  6. Application processing fee.
  7. Preliminary or Clear Teaching Credential
  8. Verification of at least 1 year of full-time teaching experience in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit.

B. Required for Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) (29 units)

NOTE: The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA) coursework is a subset of the coursework required for the Reading & Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC). By taking an additional 15 units (5 courses) within 5 years of earning the RLAA, RLAA holders may earn the RLLSC. See the catalog page for the RLLSC for these additional requirements.

C. Required for RLLSC Recommendation

  1. Completion of RLLSC coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  2. Successful completion of RLLSC Portfolio.
  3. Three years of full-time teaching experience in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit.

Total Units Required for the Credential: 29

More information

For more information about this program, please contact dominic.grasso@csun.edu

Admission Requirements

1. Credential Program Application - Once you have submitted your application to the Master’s OR Graduate Credentials program via Cal State Apply, all candidates must submit a separate online credential program application concurrently along with a nonrefundable $50.00 application processing fee (an additional $1.38 service fee will be assessed at checkout).

2. Send official transcripts 

Electronic transcripts:

  • In your previous school’s transcript ordering system, choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
  • If submitting California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and use this convenient system.
  • If you are a CSUN graduate, the only transcripts you are required to submit are for any other post-baccalaureate coursework that you have completed at another institution.
  • Both Graduate Admissions and the Credentials Office will have access to your electronic transcripts, so no duplicates are needed.
  • Please do not send identical, duplicate electronic and paper transcripts!
Paper transcripts: 
  • If your previous school(s) do not supply electronic transcripts, have official paper copies of your transcripts sent in unopened envelopes to:

California State University, Northridge
Office of the Registrar
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8207

Foreign transcripts (if applicable):

  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide a sealed official evaluation to the Office of International Admissions. 
  • An official detailed evaluation of coursework must be conducted by an approved agency. For a list of approved agencies, visit FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION (ca.gov)
  • The sealed official evaluation will need to be mailed to International Admissions at the following address:

California State University, Northridge
International Admissions- Bayramian Hall 160
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8207

3. Valid Credential - You must possess a valid basic teaching credential and hold an English Learner Authorization or a valid, clear, designated subjects teaching credential.

4. Verification of Experience - *One year of successful teaching experience in any grade, preschool through adult.  Acceptable experience does not include student teaching, internship-teaching, substitute teaching or teaching while holding an emergency credential. Please complete our Verification of Experience form. The form must be completed by the district or employing agency and signed by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of personnel, or director of human resources.

 *By the conclusion of the program, three years of full-time teaching experience will be required.

Additional Program Requirements

  •  GPA – 3.0 with no grades lower than “C”
  •  Exit Portfolio (for additional information contact faculty Advisor)
  • Three years of full-time teaching experience upon completion of program

Contact Information and Advisement

For questions regarding the program application process, please contact the Credential Office at (818) 677-2733 or credprep@csun.edu.

Academic advisement is conducted by the Elementary Education department (818) 677-2621.

Program Completion Process

Information regarding how to apply for the Reading Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential can be found on our website.

IMPORTANT! Before beginning the online application, make sure you are not logged into the CSUN portal.  All required documents must be uploaded with your online application do not mail or fax any documents.  The only item that should be mailed are transcripts, if applicable.

Application & Submission Guide

Please read our application guide fully, then click the link below to proceed to submit your application.

This guide will also assist you during the application submission process. If you experience issues while completing your application, refer back to the guide prior to contacting the Credential Office.

Read the Credential Application Guide 

Apply Now!