Information
Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Concentration in Literacy Studies is an individualized program that is tailored to students’ interests and experiences. Each student, in collaboration with the program committee, selects literacy specialization courses based on the student’s research goals. Each student also selects a cognate—a series of courses to further her or his understanding of literacy studies through fields as broad as Measurement & Statistics, Women’s Studies, Teacher Education, Second-Language Learning, Psychology, and many others. The program also includes required courses in philosophies of inquiry, research and measurement, and professional development courses that address research and teaching. Each course in the program promotes Carnegie’s notion that the purpose of doctoral education is to develop a set of habits of mind as “stewards of the field.”
There are three major components to the doctoral program: courses within the program of studies the qualifying exam, and the dissertation.
Expectations for Doctoral Students
Doctoral students in the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Concentration in Literacy Studies are expected to work both independently and in collaboration with faculty to pursue rigorous research agendas, publish in scholarly journals, and present widely at state, national and international conferences. Doctoral students are also expected to read widely and deeply, to become active members in learned societies, and to write academic texts effectively.
In addition to completing specific courses to acquire foundational knowledge of research design and multiple methodologies, students engage with faculty members in conducting collaborative research that advances knowledge of literacy studies, leading students over time toward independent scholarship and personal research agendas. These experiences foster inquiry based on the highest standards of discovery, creativity, and intellectual attainment.
Timeline for Completion
Doctoral students may pursue both full-time and part-time study. Coursework must be completed within four years of admission into the program. The dissertation must be completed within four years after admission to candidacy.