The Language and Literacy Studies Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program focuses on the study of literacy and the English Language Arts. This includes important developmental skills such as reading, writing, and related fields. The program emphasizes the relationships among language, literacy, culture, identity, and social justice.
As one end goal, the Ph.D. program strives to prepare teachers, teacher educators, and researchers who have the commitment and capacity to use literacy as a tool for social change. Degree plans are individually designed to increase your knowledge of curriculum and instructional issues both broadly and in a gradually focused way, based on your background and goals. The program includes coursework in language and literacy studies as well as research methods, foundational courses, and electives within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Our program includes clinical work within our teacher education programs and many research opportunities, including collaborations with faculty. To ensure that you experience the full quality and range of experiences in the program, one year of residency as a full-time student is strongly encouraged. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to be professors in colleges and universities, advanced degree teachers of your subject in elementary and secondary schools, and literacy supervisors or coordinators in school districts.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants to the Language & Literacy Studies Ph.D. program must be certified teachers with at least three years of teaching experience. Those seeking employment (e.g., teaching assistantships, undergraduate intern supervisors) during their degree program, PreK-12 teaching experience in the USA is necessary for most of the work opportunities in the department.
Faculty
Studies children's literature and researches the home literacy practices of families with young children in under-resourced communities.
Dr. Flores' research focuses on Latina mothers and daughters language and literacy practices, the teaching of young writers in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, and family and community literacies.
Brings her experience in literacy education to UT with a specialization in preparing secondary teachers to work in urban schools.
Studies literacy, language, and multicultural education, especially involving new media and globalization.
Examines literacy teacher preparation, specifically the role of coaching and mentoring that occurs inside programs.
Focuses on secondary English and literacy education in urban contexts, including among transnational youth.
Literacy teacher preparation, coaching and mentoring, equity and justice in literacy instruction
General C&I Requirements (Minimum 21 hours)
Foundation Requirements (9 hours required)
- EDC 380F Sociocultural Foundations
- EDC 381F Introduction to Teaching and Teacher Education
- EDC 383F Curriculum Theory
Research Methodology Requirements (12 hours minimum)
To be taken in sequence:
- EDC 381R Introduction to Systems of Human Inquiry
Step 2 (6 hours in any order)
- EDC 385R Introduction to Quantitative Research
- EDC 386R Introduction to Qualitative Research
- EDC 387R Advanced Quantitative Research
OR - EDC 388R Advanced Qualitative Research
Directed Research (Minimum: 12 hours)
EDC 396T Directed Research in Curriculum & Instruction (6 hours minimum)
Two additional courses that include a substantial research component approved by the advisor.
Please Note: EDC 396T can be taken more than once for credit.
- EDC 396 Research in English Language Arts
- EDC 396 Research in Reading
- EDC 396T Directed Research (two sessions, 6 hours total)
Specialization Requirements (Minimum 21 hours)
While the Ph.D. program of work specifies taking 18 specialization hours, an additional 3 hours are needed to reach the full 60 hours required by the LLS program. LLS faculty recommend the following approach to selecting your specialization hours:
- Minimum 9 hours in Language and Literacy Studies
- 12 additional hours related to your program of study from other programs in Curriculum and Instruction, selected with your program area advisor
Coursework should be completed within 6 years of advancing to candidacy. You may choose from the options below:
- EDC 385G Sociolinguistics in Research and Teaching
- EDC 385G Literacy Leadership for Change
- EDC 385G Literacy and Social Change
- EDC 385G Classroom Discourse and Teacher Research
- EDC 385G Reading Difficulties
- EDC 385G Research on Adolescent Literacy In and Out of School
- EDC 382S Secondary English & Reading
- EDC 380T Teaching Composition
- EDC 380T Writing Process & Pedagogy
- EDC 390T Children’s Literature
- EDC 390T The Art of the Picture Book
- EDC 390T Young Adult Literature
- EDC 382E Issues and Trends in Literacy
- EDC 385G History of Reading Instruction
- EDC 385G Literacy and Culture
- EDC 385G Orality, Literacy and Technology
- EDC 385G Literacy Acquisition
- EDC 395L Family and Community Literacies
Courses Outside the Department (Minimum: 6 hours)
Coursework from sections General Requirements, Directed Research, and Special Requirements may fulfill this requirement (thus hours in this section may already be counted as credit towards total hours).
Dissertation (Minimum 6 hours)
You are required to continuously register for at least three credits of dissertation once they have advanced to candidacy.
You must register in X99W (399, 699 or 999W) in each semester of candidacy until you graduate.
Please Note: Students receiving fellowships, assistantships, or other financial aid, may be required to take 9 hours of dissertation credit each semester.
Additional Resources
- Program Starts: Fall
- Deadline to Apply:
December 31 - Credit Hours Required: 66
- Schedule: Flexible
- Program Location: On Campus
- GRE Required? No
Program Coordinator
Tracey Flores
Ph.D. Program Advisor
Denise Dávila
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