CALT Program Information
Email Dr. Carol Donovan for an application cdonovan@ua.edu
Pathway to Dyslexia Therapist CALT
(Certified Academic Language Therapist)
- Trained at the Therapist Level – ALTA Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) have the knowledge and skills of the CALP with an additional training and practice at the therapist level to allow them to review comprehensive evaluation reports and academic samples, then administer academic skills assessments for baseline documentation. Throughout Multisensory Structured Language therapy sessions, student performance informs diagnostic and prescriptive intervention to create a high level of accuracy, fluency, and understanding for independence in written language skills.
The coursework is 2 full years
Year 1: summer 1, fall 1, spring 1
Year 2: summer 2, fall 2, spring
700 approved and documented teaching hours are required.
Summer hours are in person in Tuscaloosa for 5 days, virtual for the last 3 of the 8 total;
Fall/Spring hours are VIRTUAL on Saturdays so no travel and no missed school days.
$11,500 per person
Summer 1: $3500
Fall 1: $1500
Spring 1: $1500
Summer 2: $2000
Fall 2: $1500
Spring 2: $1500
To sit for CALT (Therapist) exam requires:
* Master’s degree completed
* Two years of coursework (Year 1 and Year 2)
* Practicum of 700 documented intervention teaching hours
* 10 observed lessons by the Qualified Instructor
These must be completed within 5 years of starting the CALT program
There is a required fee you must pay to take the exam (https://altaread.org/membership/become-a-member/)
COHORT 2 Begins Summer 2023
Summer 1 meetings will be in-person for 5 of the 8 summer days in June. The 3 remaining days will be full days virtual.
Monday June 19th – Friday June 23rd in Tuscaloosa @ UA Barnes Building
Monday June 26th – Wednesday June 29th Virtual
Fall and Spring Classes will be held virtually.
Program Admissions Requirements
Participants will be screened for admissions requirements set forth by the credentialing body. The Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) https://altaread.org/join-alta/ is the professional credentialing organization that establishes rigorous standards, assuring the highest quality services to those individuals with dyslexia.
Prerequisites for UA CALT
- have completed a master’s degree (a completed master's degree is required before you can sit for the CALT exam).
- have access to children with dyslexia or characteristics of dyslexia for 700 total teaching hours
- complete the application and interview
- pay fees by the due date
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Maps show where the summer workshops are held during the in-person summer sessions.
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Assessment of Learning
Participants must make satisfactory progress to continue and are assessed every semester throughout the program for their knowledge and application of content covered. Assessments include daily reflections and short paper assignments collected throughout the on-site work. Cumulative exams will be given at the end of each semester. Application of content will be assessed during daily model lessons participants teach and as they respond to real-life scenarios in case study activities. Teaching observations also assess application as participants teach their small groups, reflect on their teaching and children’s learning, and the CALT Qualified Instructor provides feedback to the real-time observation or video-taped lessons. The final assessment of program success is participant achievement of the CALT certification. This requires, in addition to successful completion of all coursework, teaching observations, and 700 approved teaching hours, the passing of the National exam.
Attendance Policy
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled training dates, arriving on time and staying until dismissed. Participants are expected to be prepared for class (with required readings or other assignments completed) and participate actively in all class discussions and activities. In case of an emergency absence due to unforeseen circumstances, missed coursework should be made up, and assignments turned in promptly. The missed day will have to be made up when the next cohort covers that material. (If you miss day 4 of summer 1 you will need to return during the next cohort's day 4 of summer 1). Should a trainee have more than two excused absences on scheduled coursework days, they must retake the course.
Designated virtual classes will need to be attended with video and microphone on at all times for full participation.
Designated virtual classes will need to be attended with video and microphone on at all times for full participation.
Fees
Fees for each semester are outlined in the document below. The fees do not include the cost of materials. See the "Materials" section below for the required texts and their associated fees. Payment for the semester is due 2 weeks prior to the start date. No refunds are provided once the semester has begun.
Materials All materials will be provided as part of your fees.
Book List
Books and materials are included in the cost of the program. You will receive Year 1 books and materials on the first day of Summer 1 and Year 2 materials on the first day of Summer 2.
