Literacy Studies, Literacy Instruction and Staff Development Concentration, Ph.D.

Jwa Kim, Program Director
(615) 898-8419
Jwa.Kim@mtsu.edu

The Ph.D. in Literacy Studies with a concentration in Literacy Instruction and Staff Development is an interdisciplinary program drawing on faculty from the colleges of Education, Behavioral and Health Sciences, and Liberal Arts. The program offers a flexible framework of courses, field experiences, and research opportunities designed to provide professionals in various spheres of influence with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively address the literacy and learning crisis in the United States.

Applicants with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in a variety of disciplines are eligible for admission. Typically, a successful student will hold formal qualifications related to some area of PK-12 educational practice.

A student with a bachelor’s degree interested in obtaining a master’s degree in Psychology (M.A.) or Literacy (M. Ed.) while pursuing the Ph.D. will need to consult with the program director and the respective departments to understand the additional requirements. Applicants lacking necessary foundational coursework in previous degrees will be required to complete some remedial courses as part of their program of study in addition to the degree requirements.

Admission Requirements

Admissions are based on a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s qualifications including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, letters of recommendation, prior professional experiences, and application essay.

Applicants are expected to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 in master’s coursework or 2.75 for a post-bachelor’s applicant.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must submit

application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
official transcripts certifying coursework from each college or university attended (a minimum GPA of 3.5 in master’s coursework or 2.75 for a post-bachelor’s applicant is required for admission to program);
a current curriculum vitae showing at least three (3) years of documented professional experience;
a 700 - 1000 word essay explaining how his/her background and objectives relate to the program’s purpose;
three (3) letters of recommendation from professionals who can address the applicant’s interest in literacy and potential for successfully completing a doctoral program;
recent GRE scores (within the last five years); preferred minimum scores are Verbal 156, Quantitative 144, and a 4.5 on Analytical Writing.

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Literacy Studies with a concentration in Literacy Instruction and Staff Development requires completion of a minimum of 75 semester hours with at least 70 percent at the 7000 level. Candidates are required to complete and successfully defend a research-based dissertation.

Curriculum: Literacy Studies, Literacy Instruction and Staff Development

The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. Applicant’s holding a master’s degree may transfer up to 15 credit hours with approval.

Major Core (33 hours)

LITS 7011 - Neurobiology of Language and Literacy 3 credit hours
LITS 7100 - Historical Issues, Trends, and Methodologies in Literacy 3 credit hours
LITS 7110 - Models of Literacy Assessment 3 credit hours
LITS 7120 - Professional Seminar in Graduate Studies 3 credit hours
LITS 7130 - Literacy in the Socio-Cultural Context 3 credit hours
LITS 7140 - Research, Design and Methodology in Literacy 3 credit hours
LITS 7200 - Practicum in Literacy Studies 1 to 3 credit hours (3 credit hours required)
LITS 7210 - Evidence-Based Methods of Literacy Development 3 credit hours
LITS 7400 - Reading Comprehension: Theoretical Models and Research Methodologies 3 credit hours
ENGL 7651 - Essentials of Linguistics 3 credit hours
PSY 7290 - Psychological Statistics: ANOVA 3 credit hours

Literacy Instruction and Staff Development Concentration (15 hours)

NOTE: Courses listed here are examples of those deemed appropriate. This list is not exhaustive. Substitutions may be arranged with the permission of a student’s program advisor.

LITS 7021 - Cognitive Neuropsychology of Literacy 3 credit hours
LITS 7150 - Multilingualism and Literacy 3 credit hours
ELED 7220 - Seminar in Elementary Education 1 to 3 credit hours
ELED 7250 - From Policy to Practice in American Public Schools 3 credit hours
CDIS 6000 - Speech, Language, and Literacy Development 3 credit hours
ELED 7350 - Introduction to Qualitative Methods 3 credit hours
READ 6000 - Foundations of Literacy 3 credit hours
READ 6730 - Curriculum and Supervision of Literacy Instruction 3 credit hours
READ 6750 - Research in Literacy 3 credit hours
SPSE 6140 - Teacher Leadership for School Improvement 3 credit hours
SPSE 6900 - Online Learning and Instructional Design 3 credit hours
PSY 6530 - The Psychology of Reading and Reading Development 3 credit hours OR
PSY 7530 - The Psychology of Reading and Reading Development 3 credit hours

Electives (15 hours)

Choose 15 hours in consultation with the academic advisor.

Dissertation (12 hours)

LITS 7640 - Dissertation Research 1 to 12 credit hours (minimum 12 hours)

Program notes

Currently, the program admits students in Fall semester only. All students in the graduate program will be expected to satisfy a residency requirement.

Candidate must file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.