Strengthen your expertise in supporting students with dyslexia and other disabilities through our BRIDGE Certificate program at the University of Houston. Designed for educators and related professionals nationwide, this online certificate program will help you develop practical strategies to improve literacy outcomes among diverse learners. 

At a Glance

• Format: 100% online
• Completion time: Typically, 2 semesters
• Semester start: Fall or Spring
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any field
• GRE: Not required

Program Overview  

The BRIDGE Certificate program provides a comprehensive foundation in supporting diverse learners — from understanding disabilities and instructional interventions to applying evidence-based strategies for reading and dyslexia remediation.

Participants develop skills in using data and assessment to inform instruction, alongside a deeper understanding of how children learn to read. The program is designed to enhance everyday instructional decision-making and strengthen systems to advance student success in literacy.

BRIDGE stands for Bringing Resources for Inclusive Delivery in General Education and reflects the program’s focus on best practices for supporting students with disabilities. 

What You’ll Learn 

In this certificate program, you’ll focus on key concepts in reading disability support, including:

• Disability law and characteristics of diverse learners
• Evidence-based interventions and instructional programs
• Data-based decision making and assessment practices
• Designing and delivering effective dyslexia interventions 

Career Pathways

The BRIDGE Certificate is well suited for teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, school leaders and district administrators across Texas or the country. It’s also a match for professionals working in tutoring centers, nonprofit organizations and educational settings that provide literacy and dyslexia support to children and adolescents. 

The certificate also can help move you closer to a graduate degree — up to nine hours of completed coursework may be used toward a master’s or doctoral degree in the UH College of Education. 

Coursework

This certificate requires the following  five courses — all offered online:

• SPEC 6360: Individuals with DisABILITIES  
• SPEC 6363: Specially Designed Instruction 
• SPEC 6365: Data-Based Individualization of Instruction  
• SPEC 7343: Reading Development from Science to Practice
• SPEC 7344: STRIDE - Strategies to Remediate Intervention for Dyslexia Education 

Costs & Financial Support

To estimate tuition and fees, use the UH tuition calculator (select 9 hours for typical enrollment). Plus, explore opportunities for funding your graduate certificate program. 

Admission Questions

For questions about the application process, please contact the UH College of Education’s Graduate Student Success Team at coeinfo@uh.edu.