Microcredentials

Science of Reading

Overview: Science of Reading Microcredential

The Science of Reading Microcredential offered by Southern Nazarene University equips future educators with the research-based knowledge and instructional strategies necessary to teach reading effectively to all learners. Grounded in cognitive science and aligned with Oklahoma’s Strong Readers Act (SB362), this credential ensures teacher candidates develop explicit, systematic skills in five essential areas of reading: phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Through coursework, practicum experiences, and diagnostic application, candidates learn to assess, plan, and deliver instruction that supports foundational literacy and reading success for diverse learners, including those with reading difficulties or dyslexia. This microcredential appears on the student’s transcript and serves as a verified demonstration of readiness to teach reading using evidence-based practices.

Completion of this microcredential requires three integrated courses that collectively ensure explicit and systematic preparation in all five core components of the Science of Reading: phonological awareness, decoding (phonics), fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

ED 3323 – Developmental Reading & Practicum
Introduces the foundations of early literacy through structured practice in phonological awareness and phonics. Candidates begin applying core SoR components through guided reading and formative assessments with young learners. Candidates explore the learning brain and how it enables students to develop reading skills.
ED 3553 – Reading Theory & Practicum
Emphasizes evidence-based instructional strategies that support reading fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension. Candidates design and deliver lessons that reflect SoR-aligned pedagogy in authentic classroom settings.
ED 4333 – Reading Diagnosis and Practicum
Equips candidates to assess and remediate reading difficulties using data-driven approaches aligned with SoR. All five components are addressed through diagnostic tools, targeted intervention plans, and individual student tutoring.

The following course information maps SNU’s required courses for the Science of Reading Microcredential to the five non-negotiable instructional areas required by SB362, each framed as instructional strategies grounded in scientific research.

ED 3323 – Developmental Reading & Practicum (3 credit hours)

Course Description: This is an introductory course designed to focus on language acquisition, emergent and early reading, and materials at the primary and elementary level. Special attention is given to the foundations and development of literacy, basic approaches to reading, the phonetic structure of language, strategies of a balanced reading curriculum, new trends in reading research, and means of evaluation and field experience. Candidates complete practicum experiences with small groups of elementary students. This is the first reading course of three required for all elementary education majors. (2 hours of field experience required)

Science of Reading Area / Explicit and Systematic Instruction Provided Through:

Phonological Awareness: Direct instruction in language acquisition and early literacy, including auditory discrimination and rhyming activities in early reading.
Decoding (Phonics): Introduction to the phonetic structure of language and letter-sound relationships using sequential, explicit methods.
Reading Fluency: Exposure to fluency-building techniques during early guided reading with small groups.
Vocabulary: Emphasis on early vocabulary acquisition through read-alouds and shared reading.
Reading Comprehension: Foundational strategies, including predicting, questioning, and retelling in early readers.

ED 3323 – Developmental Reading & Practicum (3 credit hours)

Course Description: This is an introductory course designed to focus on language acquisition, emergent and early reading, and materials at the primary and elementary level. Special attention is given to the foundations and development of literacy, basic approaches to reading, the phonetic structure of language, strategies of a balanced reading curriculum, new trends in reading research, and means of evaluation and field experience. Candidates complete practicum experiences with small groups of elementary students. This is the first reading course of three required for all elementary education majors. (2 hours of field experience required)

Science of Reading Area / Explicit and Systematic Instruction Provided Through:

Phonological Awareness: Direct instruction in language acquisition and early literacy, including auditory discrimination and rhyming activities in early reading.
Decoding (Phonics): Introduction to the phonetic structure of language and letter-sound relationships using sequential, explicit methods.
Reading Fluency: Exposure to fluency-building techniques during early guided reading with small groups.
Vocabulary: Emphasis on early vocabulary acquisition through read-alouds and shared reading.
Reading Comprehension: Foundational strategies, including predicting, questioning, and retelling in early readers.

ED 3553 – Reading Theory & Practicum (3 credit hours)

Course Description: A course designed to focus on refining and extending reading competence through skill development, content reading, and developing intrinsic motivations. Special attention is given to classroom organization, lesson plans, material planning, evaluation, and field experience. (10 practicum hours required)

Science of Reading Area / Explicit and Systematic Instruction Provided Through:

Phonological Awareness: Reinforcement of earlier strategies with additional metalinguistic awareness and segmentation techniques.
Decoding (Phonics): Structured phonics instruction is embedded in lesson planning and practice.
Reading Fluency: Focus on repeated readings, modeling, and pacing to build fluency.
Vocabulary: Systematic integration of vocabulary instruction in content areas.
Reading Comprehension: Explicit instruction in comprehension strategies such as summarizing, visualizing, and using graphic organizers.