Certification Programs

The IMSE Orton-Gillingham practicum provides support in implementing IMSE OG strategies with fidelity. During the practicum, you will be able to ask questions, receive resources, and receive feedback as you implement Orton-Gillingham strategies with your students. Graduates will be listed on the IMSE website as a certified IMSE OG educator/tutor and have the opportunity to be listed on the Learning Ally website as an OG certified educator/tutor.

Participants who have ONLY taken Morphology Plus are not eligible for an IMSE practicum unless a participant has already been CERTIFIED in the Comprehensive Practicum.

Educators who complete one practicum may use their practicum to apply for the CERI Structured Dyslexia Interventionist Certificate. Graduates may have opportunities to apply to be an IMSE Instructor, IMSE District Instructor, IMSE Practicum Supervisor, or IMSE District Practicum Supervisor. 

PREREQUISITES:

IMSE Comprehensive/Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus practicum

Candidates must have completed the Comprehensive or Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus course and the Phonological Awareness course.  The Phonological Awareness course is offered as a live virtual course or as an asynchronous course.  If the course is taken asynchronously, there is no Q&A included and the participant is required to pass a course quiz in order to receive a certificate of completion.  Participants are given two attempts to pass the asynchronous course quiz.  Without the certificate of completion, participants are not eligible to apply for the practicum. Please check the current training schedule for the live virtual PA course offerings: https://imse.com/training/.  The asynchronous PA course can be purchased under the 'Products' section of the IMSE website. https://imse.com/products/asynchronous-phonological-awareness-course/

Candidates who have completed a minimum of 12.5 hours of phonological awareness instruction through a college-level course or a different program may apply for a waiver for the IMSE PA course requirement by completing a waiver form and quiz (link below). Please email the completed PA waiver form to: certification@imse.com.

PA Waiver Request form

IMSE Intermediate practicum 

Candidates must have completed the Intermediate course within the last two years. 2023 will be the last year the Intermediate practicum is available.  If it has been over two years since the candidate has completed the Intermediate course, they are not eligible to apply for the Intermediate practicum.

IMSE OG Specialist certification 

Candidates who have completed the IMSE Comprehensive/Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus practicum and the Intermediate/Morphology Plus course may apply for the IMSE Specialist/Morphology Plus practicum.

Candidates who complete both the IMSE Comprehensive/Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus practicum and the Intermediate/Morphology Plus practicum will receive an IMSE Specialist certification.  Candidates must work with at least three students with heterogeneous needs (three total during the two practicums).  During their second practicum, educators are required to work with a focus student and at least one back up student. These students must have heterogeneous needs.

Required Documents:

The following application documents are required and must be uploaded in order to submit your application. It is best to gather these documents prior to enrollment opening:

1. A valid education license or proof of a background check (confirmation from your school on letterhead or an FBI level background check).
2. Transcripts from your college/university (these may be copies). The transcripts must reflect the completion of a Bachelor's degree or higher.
3. Two letters of recommendation. One should come from an administrator or supervisor. The other can be from a co-worker or the parent of a student. Letters must include contact information.
4. Certificate of completion from the IMSE Phonological Awareness course or the approved PA waiver form (this is required for Comprehensive/Comprehensive OG Plus applicants only).

If a candidate has a Bachelor’s degree but does not meet all of the above requirements, they may contact certification@imse.com and request a waiver form. 

ELIGIBILITY:

• If it has been over 24 months since you completed the IMSE Comprehensive/IMSE Comprehensive OG+ course, you are required to complete the Fidelity course to be eligible to apply for the IMSE practicum.

THIS CERTIFICATION IS FOR:

• Educators who wish to be Orton-Gillingham leaders in their school.
• Educators interested in applying for the CERI Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist Certification.

TIME COMMITMENT:

• 6-12 months (120 hours of additional course and field work)

PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO:

• Complete 25 weekly lesson plans (submitting one per week), that reflect a minimum of two hours of direct instruction per week
• Administer ongoing progress monitoring
• Write and submit an assessment report(s) on your student(s)
• Complete Learning Outcomes as well as required readings
• Pass the KPEERI exam

MATERIALS PROVIDED:

• One year subscription to Interactive OG

GRADUATES WILL RECEIVE:

• Certificate of completion
• 120 hours of professional development
• Listed on the IMSE website as a certified IMSE OG educator/tutor
• An opportunity to be listed on the Learning Ally website as an OG certified educator/tutor

CERTIFICATION APPLICATION PERIODS 

Enrollment opens at 9 a.m. EST on August 1st.

You must log into your IMSE account to access the Literacy Knowledge quiz and online Practicum Application (both will be available after enrollment opens).

IMSE only offers one application period for certification. Once the maximum number of applications have been received, all other applicants will be put on a waitlist for the current application period only. Waitlisted applicants will not be charged an application fee unless we are able to place them with a supervisor.

HOW CAN THE IMSE FIDELITY COURSE SUPPORT A FUTURE PRACTICUM?

• These modules are a required component of the IMSE practicum. Participants may begin working on their practicum early by completing the Fidelity course. 
• If participants are accepted into the IMSE practicum within two years of completing the Fidelity course, the $375 fee will be deducted from the practicum fee and the 15 hours will be applied to the practicum. 
• If it has been over 24 months since you completed the IMSE Comprehensive/IMSE Comprehensive OG+ course, you are required to complete the Fidelity course to be eligible to apply for the IMSE practicum. 

If you have completed one of our courses, are interested in going through the optional IMSE certification process and have further questions about how to apply, the process, or the practicum, download the complete practicum information packet below. If you have any further questions, please email us at certification@imse.com for an information packet or call 800-646-9788 to speak with one of our consultants.

Download Full Practicum Information Packet                                       Become OG Certified

Path to Certification for Ohio and Utah Residents

Certification requirements for Ohio and Utah Residents are slightly different than
for other states. Learn more about how you could become certified in
Orton-Gillingham by clicking your state below.

Ohio Residents                                                                         Utah Residents