Dyslexia Certificate Online Language-based Learning Disability Support
Program Overview Why get a graduate certificate in language-based learning disabilities?
Because learning differently requires teaching differently, Southern New Hampshire University's Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Disabilities was developed in partnership with the renowned Landmark School to help you better support students with language-based learning disabilities.
The certificate is also ideal for parents, to help them understand and advocate for a child who has been diagnosed with an LBLD.
Skills you'll learn:
- Identifying students with LBLD
- Responding to students with LBLD
- Use of appropriate instructional models
- How to help students advocate for themselves
- Best practices for student support
- Identifying resources
Courses & Curriculum Online classes that help you help your students
In just 15 credits (5 courses), you'll gain insight into the minds of students who struggle to process written and verbal language to be able to help them gain self-confidence and become more proficient and successful students.
Courses were built by Landmark educators in conjunction with SNHU instructional design professionals. Each course is taught by Landmark faculty and offers practical and effective strategies that will help you reach and empower your students with LBLD.
Online Courses
You'll complete 5 courses that focus on how students with LBLD process information, express knowledge, respond well to appropriate instructional models and exemplars, and learn to self-advocate for their own learning.
Note: This graduate certificate does not lead to initial teacher licensure or administrator endorsement.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full Dyslexia Certificate curriculum.
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
This graduate certificate does not lead to initial teacher licensure, administrator endorsement, or prepare you to become a Landmark specialist. For currently licensed educators, please note that state requirements for adding endorsements vary greatly. As a result, SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of this certificate will result in rank, endorsements or salary increases and strongly encourages you to contact your state licensure board prior to enrolling.
A partnership built for student success
Landmark School was founded in 1971 with the goal of educating students whose reading, writing, spelling and mathematical skills did not match their thinking and problem-solving capacities. Most called these children dyslexic or learning-disabled. The school's founder, Charles "Chad" Drake, saw their promise and called them bright and capable.
Landmark currently educates 450 students on two campuses in Massachusetts. The school boasts a faculty and staff of more than 300 and is recognized internationally as a leader in understanding and catering to those with language-based learning disabilities. Landmark teachers understand the dramatic range in learning differences and tap into each student's intelligence. They uncover hidden talents, remediate skill deficits and teach students how to learn, ask questions and self-advocate. As a testament to Landmark School's effectiveness, 92% of its graduates attend college – more than 30% higher than the national average.
"Recognizing that Landmark School was founded with a focus on understanding dyslexia and key educational practices relating to dyslexia, SNHU welcomed the addition of Landmark expertise to their MEd," said Kaia Cunningham, adjunct instructor at SNHU. "Both SNHU and Landmark agreed that embedding a certificate program in dyslexia would attract educator interest and meet a need in the field."
For nearly 40 years, Landmark's Outreach Program has provided professional development programs and in-school consulting for educators across the country.
Explore the Landmark School's Six Teaching Principles™ that help students, grades 2-12, with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) achieve academic and social success.1
The Six Teaching Principles™ are:
- Provide opportunities for students to experience success
- Use multi-sensory approaches to teach
- Use micro-units and structured tasks for every student
- Ensure automatization through practice and review
- Provide models for students to use as a guide
- Include students in the learning process
"The Landmark School's partnership with SNHU shares our commitment to helping all students reach their full potential," Cunningham said. "Our courses communicate our institution’s knowledge and best practices to deliver information to educators so they can help their students attain academic proficiency."
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Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025
Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
10-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Dedicated to your success
Our instructors are at the heart of SNHU's mission of student success. With passionate dedication to our students and their learning, our faculty are with you every step of the way. Whether they're engaging with students on discussion boards, communicating concepts and ideas, or helping you explore your passion, SNHU instructors strive to make your learning experience valuable and memorable.
Featured Faculty
Kaia Cunningham
Position
Adjunct instructor
What our instructors have to say
Hear what SNHU instructors have to say about the language-based learning disabilities certificate.
"Taking the Landmark School courses through SNHU to gain strategies and knowledge about dyslexia and other similar learning disabilities can help teachers create an equitable classroom, no matter who or where they teach."
Kaia Cunningham, adjunct instructor
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
This certificate is not eligible for federal financial aid. Students seeking alternatives to federal financial aid can explore tuition assistance, grants and scholarships, as well as private loans. To learn more about private loans, visit our Funding Your Education with Student Loans page.
Online certificate tuition
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
*Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with a certificate in dyslexia studies?
As learning disabilities are identified earlier, more special education programs are added to schools and other organizations. This is predicted to cause an increase in demand for teachers certified to work in the field of special education.
The online Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Disabilities Graduate Certificate, in partnership with Landmark School, is designed for teachers and educators already leading in the area of curriculum and instruction. The certificate program is also ideal for those interested in becoming a language-based learning disability (LBLD) or dyslexia specialist.
Occupations
The dyslexia certificate online is an ideal credential for people in the following professions:
Work with students who have visual or auditory impairments, are on the autism spectrum or have other emotional disorders.
Choose books and materials to include in the library collection to support students of all levels of reading and learning ability.
Help with exhibit design to incorporate sensory learning and other features inclusive to students of all levels of learning ability.
Help design the educational courses and programs that are fun, educational and accessible to all students.
Help students of all ages and learning ability develop study skills, academic skills in writing and math, or even life skills.
Plan classes, teach lessons and assess student needs and progress – individually, in small groups or in a classroom setting.
Median annual salary for special education teachers in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.2
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers about the online dyslexia certificate
Teachers can become the biggest support to students outside of their family. Having a teacher trained in the most up-to-date learning science and strategies regarding dyslexia can make a huge difference in the learning experience of a child who is struggling.
Our curriculum uses the Landmark School’s Six Teaching Principles™. These principles form the foundation of our teaching approach to help every student succeed, not just students who struggle with language.
The Six Teaching Principles™ are:
- Provide opportunities for our students to experience success
- Use multisensory approaches to teaching
- Use micro-units and structured tasks for every student
- Ensure automatization through practice and review
- Provide models for our students to use as a guide
- Include our students in the learning process
Students with dyslexia need systematic intervention and appropriate accommodations. By embracing these principles as the foundation for teaching, every teacher can help students feel included and empowered with the learning process.
These skills are grounded in patience and support, with an optimistic outlook and plan to provide students with coaching and strategies that they can apply to any learning situation.
Teachers and other educators, including parents, who wish to work with students who have language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) may be interested in earning a credential specific to this area.
Demonstrating the ability to have a meaningful impact on student learning as a whole, but also with helping students identified as having LBLDs is a rewarding path. You'll be able to assist students in their structured learning, as well as with social skills, executive function and even confidence.
A dyslexia specialist certificate is a professional credential tailored for special education teachers who want the specific knowledge and pedagogy involved in helping teach LBLD students with reading, spelling, writing and handwriting skills.
To achieve this credential, coursework in theory, research and pedagogy is necessary. The Southern New Hampshire University Graduate Certificate for Dyslexia and Other Language-Based Learning Disabilities provides the instruction needed to move forward in this richly rewarding area of education practice.
"This certificate is beneficial for teachers because it presents many strategies they can employ immediately in their classrooms to help students develop better academic skills," said Kaia Cunningham, adjunct instructor at SNHU.
And with approximately 15% to 20% of the population having a language-based learning disability, the need for this credential and commitment to learning is great.3
Not only can you earn a dyslexia certificate online, but you can earn one from an accredited, highly regarded university.
Most learners who are interested in learning more about dyslexia and LBLDs are already working and teaching in the field. They have full-time jobs, as well as lives, families and other challenges to their time that can make earning an additional credential difficult in a practical sense. Online education is a wonderful solution.
Online learning means that you get to learn on your schedule, as you wish. With the Graduate Certificate for Dyslexia and Other Language Based Learning Disabilities at Southern New Hampshire University, you can complete the 5-course certificate in about a year, or even less.
"A certificate takes a shorter period of time to complete and can quickly deliver practical skills and ideas that teachers need to help students in today's diverse classrooms," said Kaia Cunningham, adjunct instructor at SNHU.
Our professional admission counselors and academic advisors can help ensure that you are able to take the courses you need when you need them. Our faculty is made up of professionals working in the field. In addition to top-notch instruction, they provide networking opportunities as well as professional advice to how best to apply your newfound specialized learning to assist students of all ages.
Most people, even non-teachers, are familiar with the term “dyslexia.” What many people don’t know, however, is just how prevalent language-based learning disabilities are among students of all ages.
Approximately 15%-20% of Americans have a language-based learning disability, according to the International Dyslexia Association.3
To address this need, the dyslexia training certification online program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) provides a suite of 5 courses that are specific to supporting students who encompass the spectrum of language-based learning disabilities (LBLD).
Dyslexia is one of them, but as a professional teacher, you know that learning disabilities affect student learning in myriad ways. Students with LBLD often struggle with social skills, executive function and negative feelings towards learning as a result of their challenges. If you are a certified teacher interested in expanding your toolkit, the Graduate Certificate for Dyslexia and Other Language-Based Learning Disabilities could be just what you need.
Five courses means you can finish in just about a year. It’s possible to take a little more and or a little less time, depending on your schedule and your needs.
"The courses will help teachers better understand how dyslexia causes classroom struggles for their students and how to support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of their students," said Kaia Cunningham, adjunct instructor at SNHU.
The courses are designed by Landmark School teachers, in partnership with SNHU. The Landmark instructors not only work in the field of LBLD, but have been for most of their careers. We offer this certificate program to you as a deep dive into the research and practical teaching strategies and skills you will need to help students of all types of LBLD succeed in the classroom and in life.
The Landmark School has been in the business of helping students with LBLD succeed since the early 1970s. Thanks to this exciting partnership, the dyslexia certification can help teachers learn new ways to enhance their classroom instruction and how to best address the diverse learning needs of children of all ages.
Sources & Citations
1Landmark School, Six Teaching Principles, on the internet, at https://www.landmarkschool.org/our-approach/six-teaching-principles (viewed March 22, 2024)
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (viewed April 24, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
3International Dyslexia Association, on the internet, at https://dyslexiaida.org/frequently-asked-questions-2/ (viewed March 22, 2024)