The SMU Learning Therapy courses are accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) at both the teaching and therapy levels.

This area of interest prepares teachers to take certification exams.

The Learning Therapy courses are designed for individuals interested in working with children or adults who have dyslexia or related language learning disorders. Participants receive thorough instruction in guided discovery, multisensory teaching techniques, lesson planning, and documentation of student progress. The curriculum is comprised of multisensory, sequential, and integrated language arts that incorporates alphabet and dictionary skills training, reading, decoding and comprehension, spelling, cursive handwriting, and written composition.

Curriculum Structure

This area of interest requires one year of graduate study for teaching level and two years of graduate study for therapy level. The area of interest includes extensive practicum experience, seminars, and clinical teaching hours. The core curriculum includes basic and advanced theory, methods, curriculum design, and professional development. Students are also required to complete one elective credit course for teaching level and two elective credit courses during their two years of training for therapy level. The elective courses are scheduled throughout the year. Class schedules are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working adults and are posted online. The content of all courses develops knowledge and skills that meet the principles of instruction and guidelines of the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC), and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).

Students must complete all coursework over a minimum of 12 or 24 months. With approval from the SMU Learning Therapy Clinical Teaching Board, students may extend coursework beyond 12 or 24 months. However, all courses and requirements must be completed within a maximum of 48 months. Students who extend coursework beyond 24 months may be subject to additional fees.

The Learning Therapy courses are accredited by IMSLEC and IDA. Upon successful completion, students may apply to take a national certification exam at the teaching or therapy level.

Learning Therapy Courses

Training prepares course participants to work with children or adults who have dyslexia or related language learning disorders.

The Learning Therapy Program is designed to train individuals to remediate dyslexia and related written-language disorders. Students are trained in the structure of the written language, basic and advanced theory, multisensory teaching methods, curriculum, and sequential procedures for teaching written-language skills and learning strategies. Students seeking teaching level will complete a one-year course of study and 90 hours of clinical teaching experience in direct service to clients. Students seeking therapy level will complete a two-year course of study and 700 hours of clinical teaching experience in direct service to clients.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is open to individuals who hold a Master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university and have completed Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) training. Two levels are offered: Instructor of Teaching and Instructor of Therapy.

Instructor of Teaching – Prospective students must have been an academic language teacher for a minimum of one (1) year, and must have taught through a multisensory, structured, sequential, Orton Gillingham-based curriculum at least one (1) time. Additionally, candidates for Instructor of Teaching must have completed a minimum of 600 MSLE teaching hours beyond completion of the teaching level training

Instructor of Therapy – Prospective students must have been an academic language therapist for a minimum of two (2) years, and must have taught through a multisensory, structured, sequential, Orton Gillingham-based curriculum at least three (3) times. Additionally, candidates for Instructor of Therapy must have completed a minimum of 1400 MSLE teaching hours beyond certification.

Admission

The Learning Therapy area of interest is open to persons holding a Bachelor's or higher professional degree from an accredited university or college. Although these graduate students primarily come from elementary and secondary education, nursing, psychology, speech-language pathology, diagnostics, and counseling, a wide variety of other educational and professional fields may be appropriate backgrounds for the profession. Applicants must submit a formal application, official academic transcript, statement of goals, recommendations, application fee, and a written summary of work experience. The statement of goals and work experience must reflect a keen interest in learning, a sincere desire to work with individuals with written-language disorders, empathy for others, and high standards of professional practice and conduct.

For More Information

SMU Learning Therapy
214-768-2346
teacher@smu.edu
6401 Airline Rd., Suite 301
Dallas, TX 75205