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The Ph.D. degree prepares students to fill positions in a wide variety of settings: higher education, schools, agencies, and private practice. Students in the language and literacy Ph.D. program take a minimum of 69 semester hours beyond their master’s degree. The last 30 hours of course work must be completed no more than eight years prior to graduation. At the end of their course work, students take a comprehensive examination, write a proposal, conduct research, compose a dissertation, and defend their work to program faculty. (No more than 6 hours of workshops, institutes, or field courses may be used in a degree program.)

Learning Outcomes

• Foundational Knowledge. Candidates have knowledge of the foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
• Instructional Strategies and Curriculum Materials. Candidates use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction.
• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation. Candidates use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction.
• Creating a Literate Environment. Candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
• Professional Development. Candidates view professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.

Admission

In addition to The Graduate School’s application requirements, applicants must submit a letter of intent.

Degree Requirements (69 Post Masters Hours)