Newman University's MSED Reading Specialist–Dyslexia Emphasis program holds Accreditation PLUS status from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), the only university Reading Specialist program in Kansas to earn this distinction. IDA grants accreditation only after a rigorous peer-review process designed to ensure that teacher preparation rests on the strongest available evidence. The designation also carries an obligation: every element of the program's content and curriculum must be vetted against IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.

All five core courses required in both pathways of the program are built on the R.E.A.D. Redefined curriculum, a Structured Literacy program grounded in the science of reading.

The program is also approved by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for Reading Specialist licensure, and the institution is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Coursework, clinical practica, and candidate assessments are aligned with KSDE's Reading Specialist program standards, so graduates are prepared both to earn state licensure and to deliver Structured Literacy and dyslexia intervention consistent with IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards.

Aligning to both frameworks means candidates meet state licensure expectations while also demonstrating the specialized knowledge IDA requires: foundational literacy concepts, Structured Literacy instruction, assessment and interpretation, and ethical practice.