Clinical Practitioner Guidelines

The Clinical level, formerly known as Certified, is designed for practitioners who have completed Associate training and practicum requirements. It builds on and deepens the concepts introduced at the Associate level, preparing practitioners to support struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia and more complex learning profiles, in any setting.

Clinical coursework expands upon prior training through advanced study of dyslexia, the brain's role in reading, case management, goal setting, assessment, and the application of the Orton-Gillingham Approach at both basic and advanced language levels. Trainees develop the ability to teach diagnostically and prescriptively and to adapt instruction to a range of learner profiles.

Clinical Practitioners are qualified independent Orton-Gillingham practitioners. They are not qualified to provide OGA training or practicum supervision, which are responsibilities of Academy Fellows.

The Clinical level requires a minimum of 100 hours of coursework and a 200-lesson practicum completed over two years with two different students: one at a lower level of language instruction and one at a higher level of language instruction.

Areas of Study

The Clinical curriculum includes:

• Dyslexia, current research, and the neurobiological basis of reading
• Normal language and motor development
• How reading is learned and the history of literacy education
• Case management and goal setting
• The history and structure of the English language
• Phonology
• Syllabication
• Spelling rules and generalizations
• Morphology
• Vocabulary, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
• Development and selection of instructional materials
• Assessment, including formal and informal measures and score interpretation
• Writing case histories and student progress reports
• Advanced lesson planning
• Professional standards and ethics
• Diagnostic and prescriptive teaching

Requirements

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any area of study
• Successful completion of Associate requirements
• In some cases, a recommendation from the primary Fellow may be required

Coursework

• Minimum of 100 hours completed with an Academy Fellow or Fellow-in-Training (FIT) under the supervision of a Fellow

Practicum

• 200 supervised lessons completed over two years
• Two practicum students:
  • One at a lower level of language instruction
  • One at a higher level of language instruction
• Ten observations of the trainee providing a 40–60 minute lesson in an individual setting
• Observations completed through unedited video recordings or onsite by a Fellow or Fellow-in-Training

Readings

• Clinical Reading List

Additional Information

• Clinical Curriculum Guidelines
• Application through the SurveyMonkey Apply website, including two letters of support
• Clinical Warranty
• OGA Code of Ethics

Fees and Deadlines

Application Fee: $200 (includes first-year dues)

Annual Dues: $175

Application Deadlines

• March 10
• July 10
• November 10

Decision Notifications

• March 10 deadline: June
• July 10 deadline: October
• November 10 deadline: February