Literacy instruction and its intersection with English language learning and issues of culture and diversity are the foci of this emphasis area.

In the Literacy strand of the Ph.D. program, students develop a rich foundation of literacy theory and research. Students are prepared to investigate essential and compelling issues in literacy studies.

Possible concentrations for this Ph.D. strand include close study of multilingual students, early literacy, adolescent and advanced literacy, and intersection of literacy with culture and diversity. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for both research- and teaching-oriented academic positions, as well as educational leadership positions in fields related to literacy.

Program Structure

Ph.D. students in Literacy Studies follow a 96-credit program of study coordinated by the student and his or her advisor. Courses include graduate level courses in a broad range of topics related to literacy, a rich research core, and a cognate (secondary emphasis) of the student's choosing. There are also opportunities for clinical experiences, both online and in our reading clinic. With respect to extracurricular scholarship, our doctoral students regularly participate in regional, national, and international research conferences.