IMSE's Certification Program Takes Literacy Education Commitment to the Next Level
You've completed your IMSE training, so now what? IMSE offers three tiers of certification to make sure you are bringing your IMSE Orton-Gillingham teaching to the next level.
Pursuing your IMSE Fidelity Certificate, IMSE Orton-Gillingham Certification, or to become an IMSE Orton-Gillingham Instructor for your school district is a process that benefits anyone in the education field who teaches literacy: both general and special education teachers, ESL and EL teachers, speech language pathologists, reading specialists, tutors, and more.
Learn more about what each certification has to offer below!
IMSE DISTRICT INSTRUCTOR
- IMSE OG Certified
- 150 hours of additional instructor training
IMSE ORTON-GILLINGHAM CERTIFICATION
- 6-12 month practicum (120 hours)
- Application window May 1-Aug 30
- For Literacy Specialists, Tutors
& Interventionists
IMSE FIDELITY COURSE
- 15-hr asychronous course
- Available year-round
- For IMSE Trained Educators
What Is Your Next Step with IMSE?
IMSE offers a variety of certifications to educators who take part in an IMSE or IMSE
Impact training. Educators can choose to pursue their Fidelity Certificate, participate in a
practicum for the IMSE Impact Orton-Gillingham Certification, or go through IMSE's
District Instructor Program. Please read the certification descriptions below to find one
that is appropriate for you.
Fidelity Certificate
Obtain Your IMSE Fidelity Certificate
After completing this post training course, graduates will receive a certificate that
indicates IMSE has verified you have the knowledge needed to implement IMSE strategies
with fidelity. Parents and Districts can be confident that you have the knowledge required
to implement IMSE OG with fidelity and to help your students meet their literacy goals.
IMSE Fidelity Certificate - $375
The IMSE Fidelity course will dive deeper into each IMSE OG strategy.
Teachers will see these strategies implemented with students in a variety of settings.
This course will support educators with organization, implementing IMSE with their district's reading program, creating learning centers, and ways to differentiate to meet the needs of all learners. Likewise, this course will provide more in-depth information about dyslexia.
Since participants will be tested on each module, this course will also ensure that the participant has the knowledge needed to implement IMSE OG strategies with fidelity.
Participants are required to obtain a passing score to complete each module. All modules must be completed to receive the IMSE Fidelity Certificate. Participants have 45 days from the purchase of the course to complete. If participants do not complete the course in 45 days, a $100/month extension is available.
Your district may accept these 15 hours of professional development towards their master inservice plan. Participants can apply/purchase one hour of graduate credit through Ashland University or Northwest Nazarene University.
Comprehensive/Comprehensive OG Plus Fidelity Course Description:
This asynchronous course will support educators with implementing IMSE Comprehensive/ Comprehensive OG Plus strategies with fidelity. Additionally, this course will provide more in-depth information about dyslexia.
There are 8 required modules in this course:
- Assessment
- Phonological Awareness
- Teaching a New Concept and Dictation
- Three part drill
- Red Words
- Syllabication
- Comprehension, Vocabulary, & Fluency
- Dyslexia
Additional Resources include modules related to organization, creating learning centers, and implementing this approach with a district reading program.
Prerequisite: Complete IMSE Comprehensive/IMSE Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Plus Training
Morphology Plus Fidelity Course Description:
This asynchronous course will support educators with implementing IMSE Morphology Plus strategies with fidelity.
There are 4 required modules in this course:
- Assessment
- Three part drill
- Teaching a New Concept (morphemes and rules)
- Comprehension, Vocabulary, & Fluency
Additional Resources include modules related to Red Word instruction, Syllabication, Centers, Organization, and implementing this approach with a district reading program.
Prerequisite: Complete IMSE Morphology Plus or Intermediate training
THIS COURSE IS FOR:
- Educators who want to expand their IMSE OG proficiency
TIME COMMITMENT:
- 15 hours
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
- Videos about the strategies learned in IMSE training
- Articles and information
- Access to a private IMSE certification social media group to ask questions, share ideas, and build a community
PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE:
- Certificate of completion
- 15 hours professional development
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.
In order to be eligible for the Morphology Plus/Specialist Practicum, participants must have already completed the Comprehensive OG Plus practicum.
After purchasing your IMSE Fidelity course, you will be able to access your course by logging into your IMSE account and clicking on Fidelity Certificate. Then click on Open Fidelity Course. This will take you to your course.
Become IMSE Orton-Gillingham (OG) Certified
When you decide to become certified in IMSE's Orton-Gillingham, you are making a
lifelong investment in your student's literacy education and adding a rich layer of
expertise to your teaching skills. During the practicum, participants will develop lesson
plans, be observed, and have a one-on-one coach while using the IMSE OG methodology in
their classroom, small group or individual student. This practicum is for those who wish
to take their Fidelity Certificate to the next level.
IMSE Orton-Gillingham Certification - $2350
WHY EDUCATORS AND DISTRICTS CHOOSE THE IMSE PRACTICUM
- The IMSE practicum supports implementing IMSE Orton-Gillingham (OG) strategies with fidelity. With consistency throughout the practicum, educators will work directly with a Practicum Supervisor who will provide feedback, additional resources, and answers to questions to ensure participants implement IMSE OG strategies most effectively with their students.
- Graduates will be listed on the IMSE website as IMSE OG-certified educators.
- Graduates can be listed on the Learning Ally website as OG-certified educators or tutors.
- Educators who complete one practicum may apply for the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist certification.
- Graduates can apply to become an IMSE Instructor, IMSE District Instructor, Practicum Supervisor, or District Practicum Supervisor.
OVERVIEW OF THE TWO IMSE CERTIFICATION OPTIONS
- The IMSE Comprehensive OG Plus Certification: Those who complete the IMSE Comprehensive OG Plus Practicum will receive their IMSE Comprehensive OG Plus Certification and be eligible to apply for the CERI Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist certificate.
- The IMSE Specialist Certification: After completing the Comprehensive OG Plus certification, participants may work towards a Specialist certification by completing the Morphology Plus course and practicum. Those who receive the IMSE Specialist certification can apply for the CERI Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist certificate.
The IMSE certification application window will be open from May 1 until October 25th. All applications received within this window will receive equal consideration. An IMSE panel will review applications, using an internal rubric to evaluate qualified candidates.
For information about practicum eligibility and application requirements, please read the Information/Application Manual
2024-2025 Information/Application Manual for IMSE Certification
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.
TIME COMMITMENT:
- 6-12 months (120 hours of additional course and field work)
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
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.
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.
Become an IMSE District Instructor
There are many academic and financial benefits for a school district to have a qualified
IMSE Orton-Gillingham Master Instructor on staff.
IMSE District Instructor
The possibilities for your district are endless with an on-staff IMSE District Instructor.
Your school district is responsible for choosing a potential candidate that is considered the elite in your district and who has experience training, leading, and mentoring teachers.
IMSE will conduct interviews that include references for the Instructor Candidate. IMSE will determine whether or not the Instructor Candidate is eligible to go through the training phases. In addition to the price of training, districts are responsible for the participants travel during training.
PREREQUISITES:
- Master's degree or higher in an educational field of study
- Current and valid teaching license
- IMSE Orton-Gillingham Certified
THIS CERTIFICATION IS FOR:
- District-selected teachers who will be bringing IMSE’s Impact programs to their teachers
TIME COMMITMENT:
- 6-12 months after completion of certification
BENEFITS OF AN ON SITE IMSE MASTER INSTRUCTOR:
- Making a long-term investment in educators and students
- Ensuring program fidelity and accuracy
- Mentoring fellow teachers who have been IMSE OG trained
- Becoming an IMSE OG accredited school district
- Having an IMSE Master Instructor on staff for IEP meetings
- Receiving reduced rates for future trainings
- Having a Practicum Supervisor on staff
- Providing refresher and consultations on-site free of charge
Become an IMSE Instructor
Are you passionate about teaching IMSE's Orton-Gillingham? Are you eager to increase
literacy in our children? Do you want to make a bigger impact in the world? If so, consider
becoming an IMSE Orton-Gillingham Instructor.
IMSE Instructor
Our instructors are passionate educators who love bringing IMSE's Orton-Gillingham training to all educators.
If you are looking for opportunities to expand your impact, travel to new places, and increase your income, the IMSE Instructor program may be right for you.
If you are interested and have the below qualifications, send us your resume. We are always looking for talented, passionate teachers to join our team.
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
- Certified in IMSE's Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham or IMSE's Intermediate Orton-Gillingham.
- Master's degree or higher in an educational field of study
- Current and valid teaching license
- Engaging personality and comfortable with public speaking.
If you are ready to join IMSE’s mission of bringing Orton-Gillingham to all educators, send your resume to info@imse.com or fill out the form here.
Path to CERI Certifications
As of 1/1/2022 IMSE is listed as an approved IDA accredited program on CERI's Certification application page.
Structured Literacy Dyslexia Inteventionist Certification
Participants who complete either the IMSE Comprehensive/Comprehensive OG+ practicum or the IMSE Intermediate practicum may apply for CERI's Structured LIteracy Dyslexia Interventionist Certificate. Those that completed their IMSE certification after 1/1/2022 may use the standard application to apply. Those that completed the IMSE practicum prior to 2022 must use the alternate route.
Structured Literacy Dylexia Specialist Certification
Participants that complete the IMSE OG Specialist certification are eligible to apply for the Center for Effective Reading’s Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Certificate. Those that complete the IMSE OG Specialist certification in 2022 or after, may use CERI’s standard application for the Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Certificate. Those that completed the IMSE OG Specialist certificate prior to 2022 must use the alternate route application.
*Alternate route applications must be submitted between July 1st and September 30th.