Ph.D. in Literacy Studies
Program & Curriculum
Program Information
A common set of core courses provides a comprehensive understanding of literacy within biological, psychological, linguistic, and social contributions to human development, learning, and motivation. Students in this program will develop an understanding of how changing social and political perspectives and evolving scientific knowledge affect how literacy is defined, taught, assessed and acquired. Core courses will assist students to build upon prior education and experience. They will inform students about designs and methodologies typically employed to research the process of literacy learning and the outcomes of teaching. The program incorporates several components including coursework specific to the core of the program, courses selected to flesh out an area of specialization chosen by the student, and service learning requirements tied to specific courses and a practicum. Students are expected to develop skills in professional writing leading to submission of at least one paper for publication in a referred journal prior to sitting for the comprehensive examinations.
Additionally, students will assist a professor in teaching at least one online course and one on-campus course and then later take on responsibilities as the teacher of record for at least one undergraduate course. This will assure that students acquire the essential skills necessary for the preparation and delivery of formal post-secondary level courses.
Curriculum
The doctoral program requires completion of 60 semester credit hours (post master’s) distributed as follows:
| Curriculum | Hours Required | |
|---|---|---|
| Component | Sub-Component | Component |
| Literacy Studies Core | 36 | |
| Foundations of Literacy (06) | ||
| Language & Literacy (09) | ||
| Pedagogy (09) | ||
| Research Design & Data Analysis (09) | ||
| Practicum (03) | ||
| Specializations | 09 | |
| Electives | 03 | |
| Dissertation | 12 | |
| TOTAL | 60 | |
Estimated Time for Completion
Full-time: approximately three (3) years
Part-time: approximately five (5) years
Maximum Time
There is a time limit of ten (10) years to complete all Ph.D. degree requirements. That is, all doctoral coursework as well as the dissertation must be completed within ten (10) years of the first semester of enrollment.