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Doctor of Philosophy in
Literacy
Online or On Campus

Empower People with the Promise of Literacy

Offered on campus or online, the PhD in Literacy program prepares you for research and teaching positions in universities, colleges, community colleges, research institutions, policy centers, state education departments and P-12 school districts.

Coursework explores literacy theory, research, practice and policy, focusing on areas such as literacy and language acquisition and development, curriculum and instruction, assessment, children’s literature, disciplinary literacies, community engagement, critical literacies, and teacher education. You will also complete a sequence of research courses to understand and implement research.

Ultimately, you investigate your own research questions under the guidance of your dissertation chair. Potential areas of inquiry are developed with your advisor, and may include a wide array of topics such as teacher preparation and literacy education in families, groups, communities, schools, workplaces and other settings.

Program of Study

programofstudy

The PhD program accommodates full-time students as well as working teachers with part-time or full-time enrollment options, including online and evening class schedules.
 

Core Courses

Foundational Core Courses 

  • Proseminar in Theoretical Models and Frameworks in Literacy Teaching and Learning
  • Proseminar in Approaches to Literacy Research Methods
  • Introduction to Dissertation Literature Reviews

Selected Core Courses 

Choose five additional doctoral-level courses. Sample courses include:

  • Early Literacy and Language Development
  • PreK-12 Disciplinary Literacy Development: Potential in PreK-12 ELA, Science, & Soc Studies Standards
  • Theory and Research in Teaching of Literature
  • Teacher Leadership
  • Literacy Education: Research, Practice, Policy, and Politics
  • Research on Preparing Literacy Teachers to Cultivate Equitable & Diverse Learning Contexts
  • Other courses as advised


Methodology Courses

To understand research design and analysis, you will take a minimum of 12 credits in research methods.

Credit distribution is based on the primary method of inquiry involved in your dissertation project; either take 9 credits in quantitative methods and 3 credits in qualitative methods, or take 9 credits in qualitative methods and 3 credits in quantitative methods.

Sample courses include:

  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Quantitative Methods in Literacy Research
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Practitioner and Participatory Action Research
  • Research Practicum
     

Graduate Education Courses

In the PhD program, up to 30 credit hours of coursework will come from graduate education courses, including masters level courses brought in from previous degrees through advanced standing.
 

Additional Requirements

  • Comprehensive Exam

  • Research Tools Statement

  • Dissertation

 

Professional Development

As a doctoral student, you have the opportunity to develop professional teaching and research skills by assisting with the teaching of graduate courses or clinical practica, and by participating in faculty research projects. In addition, you may gain experience presenting scholarly papers at a variety of professional conferences and submitting academic articles to peer-reviewed journals.
 

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Reisha Rieder at [email protected] or 518-442-5100.

Graduate Student Funding


Assistantships and fellowships are regularly offered to full-time students when funding is available through the University and/or externally funded projects.

If you are awarded an assistantship or fellowship, you receive a stipend for 20 hours of research or teaching assignments per week, and a tuition waiver for 9 credits of coursework per semester for an academic year (fall and spring).

Some assignments require to you gather information, organize and analyze data, and assist with manuscript preparation, while others may involve teaching activities at the undergraduate or master's level.

 

 

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funding

Career Paths in Literacy

 

The PhD in Literacy prepares you for research and teaching positions in universities and colleges, or for positions in P-12 schools, government agencies, and educational organizations that require literacy expertise and strong research and data analysis skills.



 

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careers

Dissertation Titles

Sample Dissertation Titles by Year

2024

“Supporting At-Risk Kindergartners’ Subtraction Knowledge and Language Use Through Shared Book Reading” by Jaime Bellini (Chair: Erica Barnes)

“Mapping the Dynamic Literacy Practices of College Bilingual Students” by Timothy M. Foran (Chair: Kelly Wissman)
 

2023

“Exploring Family Experiences in Supporting Children’s Literacy Development During the Coronavirus Pandemic” by Sarahlee Desir (Chair: Jaime Puccioni)

“Elementary Students Co-Constructing Meaning During Read Alouds With Picture E-Books” by Colleen Monaco (Chair: Virginia Goatley)
 

2022

“Two Case Studies Examining How International Graduate Teaching Assistants Built Mathematical Literacy Knowledge Within the Affordances and Constraints of a Calculus Instructional System” by Patricia A. Rand (Chair: Margaret Sheehy)
 

2021

“Arabic-speaking Students' Responses to Children’s Literature About the Middle East” by Amal Aldaej (Co-Chairs: Kelly Wissman and Cheryl Dozier)
 

2020

“Education's Death Row: The Standardization Network and a Persistently Lowest Achieving School in the Era of Common Core” by Valarie J. Karas (Chair: Margaret Sheehy)
 

2018

"A Practitioner Research Study Exploring Critical Literacy in a Secondary English Classroom" by Dilnavaz Hushmendy (Chair: Margaret Sheehy)

“Exploring Kindergarteners’ Understandings of Gender: Responding to Picture Book Read Alouds with a Focus on Fairy Tales” by Karen M. Maher (Chair: Kelly Wissman)
 

2017

"Fostering Literacy Learning With Three Middle School Special-Education Students Using Therapy Dogs as Reading Partners" by Donna Lamkin (Chair: Cheryl Dozier)

"Navigating the Complex Nature of Specialized Literacy Professionals in Formalized Teacher Leadership Positions" by Thea Yurkewecz (Chair: Virginia Goatley)
 

2016

"Postmodern Picturebooks, Gender, and Reading Difficulties: A Phenomenological Exploration of One Boy's Experiences" by Diane Hamilton (Chair: Donna Scanlon)
 

2015

"Talk to Text: An Application of Discourse Analysis to Text Messaging in Adolescents with Social Communication Disorders" by Wendy Bower (Chair: Margaret Sheehy)

"Understanding the Role of Literature in the Reading Lives of Secondary English Students" by Tracy Peers Pontin (Chair: Kelly Wissman)

"Teachers' Perceptions of the Impact of Education Policy on Their Teaching, Professional Development, and Sense of Efficacy for Literacy Instruction" by David Clickner (Co-Chairs: Virginia Goatley and Donna Scanlon)

Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines

Deadline for Admissions and Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: January 30
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
    At least one letter must be from a college/university professor/instructor and address the candidate's academic abilities and potential for graduate study.
  • Literacy essay within application

Supplemental Documents

Writing Sample
The writing sample should be an example of academic writing. 

Available information for International Applicants.

Special Notes

This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.   

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Ph.D.
  • Understand literacy theory and research.
  • Critically analyze, interpret and apply research.
  • Produce high quality and rigorous research in literacy
  • Lead collaborative inquiry to promote literacy.
  • Engage in and reflect on effective methods of teacher preparation.
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Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
518-442-3529

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