To seek reading specialist training in Nashville, candidates must apply and be admitted into graduate school. It is preferred that the candidate is a licensed teacher in Tennessee. However, the master's of education (M.Ed.) with reading education emphasis offered at Vanderbilt University can lead to teaching licensure.
Reading specialist training involves classroom instruction, practicum in Nashville public schools and completion of a master's thesis. Students are trained in areas such as literacy development, speech and language for exceptional learners and assessment strategies for special needs students.
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approves reading specialist education programs such as the one at Vanderbilt University. In addition, Vanderbilt's program meets the standards established by the International Reading Association.