This non-degree professional certificate offers the latest research and evidence-based practices in Orton Gillingham multisensory structured literacy. This program is for K-12 teachers, literacy specialists, and educational therapists who serve students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. It provides deep knowledge, at the graduate level, of language development, dyslexia, and an explicitly structured multisensory approach to reading.
The University of La Verne Dyslexia Training Professional Certificate program is accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Literacy Education Council (IMSLEC). It is the first university in the State of California to offer this accredited certification to teachers, helping to address a significant equity issue for students who have been unable to access skilled support for dyslexia.
Our teacher training program follows IMSLEC standards, which set the highest quality standards for Multisensory Structured Language Education and meets the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) standards.
Participants in our program will gain the skills, mentorship, and certification needed to support students in our region and serve as leaders in their fields.
Certification Options
Teacher Level Certification- 2 semesters
Teacher Trainer Certification- guided, multi-year program
Program Structure
After completing Year 1, participants are invited to continue their training with a two-year commitment. Candidates will deepen the knowledge and experience gained in Year 1 and be prepared to train teachers to work with children with dyslexia and other literacy challenges. To be fully certified as a teacher trainer, participants are required to continue to accumulate a total of 600 tutoring sessions after completing the two years of additional training.
Throughout each level, there is a Supervised Practicum Component where participants are supervised by a trained, certificated OG-trained teacher. Practicum also includes 4 lesson plan checks and 4 observations per semester.
By incorporating this intervention into both our curriculum and evidence-based interventions, we have seen some students make over three years’ worth of progress in six months.
Cathy Johnson, Foundress of the Johnson Academy
Time Commitment
Upfront Training Prior to Seminar (12 hours)
Per Week
Weekly seminars (2.5 hours)
Tutoring twice per week (1.25 hours each session)
Tutoring prep time (1.5-2 hours for each session)
Reading/background study time (2 hours)
TOTAL: ~10 hours per week
Teachers can earn continuing education units (CEUs) by completing our program. CEUs can be used to advance on the pay scale as determined by partner school districts. These units do not currently apply to a graduate degree.