Pathway to Dyslexia Therapist CALT
(Certified Academic Language Therapist)

Trained at the Therapist Level – ALTA Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) complete two years of coursework and 700 hours of instruction with children to gain the knowledge and skills at the therapist level, which enable them to review comprehensive evaluation reports and academic samples, administer academic skills assessments for baseline documentation, and plan and teach intervention lessons.

​The UA CALT THERAPIST pathway leads to certification as a Dyslexia Therapist, officially known as a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). This is an advanced certification for teachers, speech and language therapists and others who already hold a master’s degree and a strong interest in advanced education in teaching children with dyslexia, characteristics of dyslexia, and other persistent reading difficulties. Successful completion of the 2 years of program work and 700 practicum hours allows participants to sit for the ALTA exam and be certified as a Certified Academic Language Therapist. Practicum hours must be completed before the exam may be taken; the exam must be taken within 5 years of starting the coursework.

More about the ALTA exam for THERAPIST can be found here: The Academic Language Therapy Association – CALT Application (altaread.org)
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As an advanced program, the work and time commitment for CALT is intense. Read the information carefully to be sure you understand the commitment and send additional questions to Dr. Carol Donovan at cdonovan@ua.edu  

Overview of the 2-Years of Coursework

Summer 1 — in-person days in June (Right now we are planning June 7-11, however, the change to Take Flight might require more days)
Fall 1 — 5 virtual Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Spring 1 — 5 virtual Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Summer 2 — 2 in-person days followed by 3 virtual days in mid- or late-June
Fall 1 — 5 virtual Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Spring 1 — 5 virtual Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Fees

$9,000 per person total for 2 years. Materials are included for Take Flight beginning 2027; other materials are required to be purchased by participants. Competitive scholarships are available. You must apply and be accepted to receive a link to the scholarship application.

YEAR 1

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program requirements and practicum hours of this Dyslexia Therapist pathway, candidates will be able to:  

• Take the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) exam to hold the credential of Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). Learn more about ALTA at altaread.org.
• Provide Academic Language Therapy to those students identified with characteristics of dyslexia.  
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Multisensory Structured Language Education and Orton Gillingham-based teaching practices. 
• In school settings:*
  • ​Implement Tier II and Tier III interventions for dyslexic students within their school or district.  
  • Provide school-wide professional development as it pertains to understanding characteristics of dyslexia
  • Provide school-wide professional development on best practices for teaching students with dyslexia in the classroom setting.  
• In other settings:
  • ​Implement Tier II and Tier III interventions for students with dyslexia outside of school.  
  • Provide information about best practices for teaching students with dyslexia to parents.  

* Upon completion of CALT certification, many opportunities are open to you. Work in school settings, however, may require teacher certification. Be sure to check with the state department of education (i.e., ALSDE if in Alabama) about credentials and certifications required in addition to CALT certification if you desire a position in a school setting. 

Program Admission 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.  

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 following requirements
• 10 observed lessons by the Qualified Instructor

These must be completed within 5 years of starting the CALT program.

You must pay a required fee to take the ALTA certifying exam. Learn more here: altaread.org/membership/become-a-member.

Notes:

1. Check requirements for the position you wish to hold as CALT certification does not substitute for a teaching license. Be sure to contact the State Department of Education for teaching certification requirements if you desire to be a teacher or work in a school system.
   
2. At this time, no course credit toward any degree is offered in conjunction with this program.

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 and semesters. 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 (QI) provides feedback to the real-time observation or video-recorded lessons. The final assessment of program success is CALT certification. This requires, in addition to successful completion of all coursework, teaching observations, and 700 approved teaching hours, the passing of the CALT exam altaread.org/membership/become-a-member. 

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. 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.

Materials            

Take Flight will be the curriculum. Additional books and materials may be required.