Language and literacy education
Department of Teaching & Learning
Ph.D. program of study
Program description
The literacy programs address issues of teaching, learning, and the wide range of literacies as they play out in formal and informal learning contexts.
Timeline
The following suggested timeline is included for the benefit of assisting literacy doctoral students to be mindful and responsible for meeting deadlines. Traditionally, many faculty are not compensated for their services during the summer and therefore concentrate on their own scholarship. Students should plan accordingly to do their preliminary examination, D1, or D2 during the scheduled academic session.
*Prior to actual and/or suggested deadlines, a minimum of two weeks delivery to chair and committee members is required of, but not limited to, contracts, programs of study, proposals, and three weeks for dissertations.
Course of study:
Minimum 45 graded credits plus minimum 27 dissertation hours = 72 hours
The course of study for the Ph.D. specialization in literacy is rigorous, flexible and individually tailored. Work with your advisor/program of study chair to plan a course of study that is intellectually coherent and relevant to your needs and interests.
The following is a break down of core, cognate, and research requirements and recommendations for the Ph.D. in education with a specialization in literacy. It is anticipated that completion of the degree will average three to four years.
Required foundational core, 15
credits
T&L 550: Second Language Learning and
Literacy
T&L 567: Social Foundations of Literacy
T&L 568: Psychological Foundations and Assessment
of Literacy
T&L 569: Critical Analysis of Children’s and
Young Adult Literature
T&L 570: Theory and Research in Electronic
Literacies
Required research, 17
credits
EdRes 562 Epistemology,
Inquiry and Representation
EdRes 563 Principles of Doctoral Research
EdRes 564 Qualitative Research
EdRes 565 Advanced Statistical Analyses and
Quantitative Research
EdRes 566 Research Seminar (2 1-credit courses)
T&L 555 Research Methods in Language and Literacy
Cognate 12-18 credits: Students, with approval from their advisors, should select relevant courses in the College of Education and/or from other disciplines/fields of study, including but not limited to: Special Education, Cultural Studies, Educational Technology, English, Leadership, Sociology, Communication, Anthropology.
Students should consult with their program advisor and course listings to better determine when to take their courses. Additionally, students should consult with their advisor about special topics courses that may be offered that may satisfy your intellectual thirst.
A sample course sequence for the PhD can be found here. Keep in mind that this is only a generic sample – individual programs will vary.
Role of faculty and students
Upon entering the PhD program, a temporary advisory is assigned to initiate course selection and program development. Students must decide upon a permanent advisor for their program of study by the third semester and initiate a formal advising relationship, but this process can occur earlier. The permanent advisor and student then select the program of study committee which supervises the plan of study meeting and the preliminary exam. The program of study committee may be the same as the dissertation committee, but can be different. An advisor is NOT automatically the dissertation chair. The role of the dissertation chair is to work closely with the student in developing the dissertation and serves as the primary guide. The committee serves a supporting role and is not obligated to read multiple drafts of the dissertation.
More info
For detailed information on program requirements and application procedures, contact:
Office of Graduate Studies
gradstudies@wsu.edu
252 Cleveland Hall
(509) 335-7016 or
(509) 335-9195