Ed.D. in Literacy

The Doctor of Education degree in Literacy provides the highest professional degree available to candidates who aspire to literacy leadership positions.  The degree requirements include a prescribed curriculum of required and elective courses and the successful completion of a major research project resulting in the presentation and defense of a dissertation.  A comprehensive examination will be taken after the completion of at least 45 hours of coursework.  Students must be enrolled during the semester the comprehensive examination is taken.  After successful completion of the examination, the student may defend the dissertation proposal.

The program includes:

Please see the curriculum outline for a complete listing of program course requirements.

The EdD Program is a modified cohort program.  Individuals are admitted to a specific cohort and follow the schedule for the cohort to which they are assigned.  Electives courses may be taken independent from the rest of the cohort.  Cohort groups begin in June of each year. In the event of emergencies that require an individual to drop-out of the normal schedule, they may be required to join another cohort group with another schedule.  Admission to the program requires a significant commitment of time for the duration of the individual"s program.  The inability to devote the necessary time will require the individual to drop-out of the program.

Candidates who complete this program will:

• have knowledge of the foundations of reading and writing processes and how to design research around and write about such topics;
• gain an understanding of, and an ability to design research and write about the assessment of reading and writing acquisition;
• apply knowledge acquired from research and scholarly study to education in reading and writing, and design, conduct and interpret research in reading and writing education.

Admission to the program requires a significant commitment of time for the duration of the individual’s program. The inability to devote the necessary time will require the individual to drop out of the program.

This program followings a modified cohort model. Individuals are admitted to a specific group, called a cohort, and follow the schedule for the cohort to which they are assigned. Elective courses may be taken independent from the rest of the cohort. Cohorts begin in June of each year. In the event of emergencies that require an individual to drop out of the normal schedule, they may be required to join another cohort group with another schedule.

Applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program in Literacy must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application
2. Application fee
3. Official transcript(s) showing receipt of a baccalaureate degree and a master's degree from an accredited institution
4. Personal statement (1000 words maximum)
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your preparedness on doctoral graduate studies (preferably a former professor)
6. Evidence of teaching certificate or three years of teaching experience preferred.

The master’s degree should be in literacy, reading or a related field with at least eighteen hours of graduate credit in reading/literacy. Students without the prerequisite eighteen hours in reading/literacy may be required to take additional coursework during the program. The graduate GPA should be 3.0 or higher.

Applicants meeting the criteria above may be invited for an interview with the doctoral admissions committee. A candidate who fails to meet one of the admission requirements may receive probationary admission if sponsored by a doctoral faculty member.