Doctor of Education in Literacy Studies

Salisbury University’s online Doctor of Education in Literacy Studies offers a dynamic learning community that explores communicative practices in the 21st century. Because literacy is integral to all learning, students from diverse disciplines find relevance in the program. The curriculum is built on a strong core of theory, research and practice to advance the field of literacy and promote culturally responsive, effective practices for learners of all backgrounds. As leaders of their classrooms, institutions and communities, graduates of SU’s Ed.D. program are creating change that matters.

Apply Now Admissions Requirements Attend Info Session Application Deadlines

What can I do with an Ed.D. in Literacy?

A doctorate in education prepares students for careers both in and outside of academia. Ed.D. graduates advance their careers in higher education, prek-12 education, and community contexts. Students work with their advisor to ensure a focus throughout their learning that aligns with their career goals.

Info Sessions
Click below to attend an upcoming Ed.D. in Literacy Studies Info Session:
Application Deadlines
The following deadlines are for admission into the Doctor of Education in Literacy Studies program.
- Priority Deadline: June 1
- Final Fall Deadline: July 15

Why Choose a Doctor of Education at Salisbury University?

SU offers an Ed.D. program that is nationally recognized and provides the individualized attention you need to achieve success in your field, no matter what your goals. At SU, we embrace your unique journey. The course framework builds the foundation of your study, but you decide the area of focus. Experienced faculty guide and mentor your research, but you choose the destination. Research completed by program graduates includes such diverse topics as the composing practices of multiracial college students, after school writing clubs in elementary contexts, disciplinary literacy in medical lab science, historical storytelling in museums, and the reading lives of secondary English teachers.

Some key strengths of our program include:

A supportive and diverse community. SU’s Ed.D. program is designed as a cohort model – so even though you are taking courses online, you are connected with a community of peers to keep you engaged and help you grow as a professional. Our students come from diverse settings and build strong relationships with each other as they work collaboratively throughout their doctoral journey.
Dedicated faculty and individualized mentorship. Our faculty are known as outstanding teachers and engaged researchers. They provide extensive advising, working with students to prepare them for success in their chosen career paths. Even in an online setting, you will receive the individualized attention you need to achieve your goals.
Rich opportunities for experiential learning. Our students gain real-world experience by joining research partnerships with experienced faculty in diverse educational contexts. They also have the opportunity to gain teaching experience in higher education in SU’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
A distinguished program. Our Ed.D. program is a proud member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, a national consortium of institutions that works together to ensure the Ed.D. is a rigorous and relevant degree that prepares educators to be agents of change. What this means for our students is they learn and grow in a program that is involved at a national level, while they receive attention to their local professional context.

Faculty with Scholarly Expertise and Applied Professional Experience

With a strong history of involvement in public education from PreK-college, our faculty understand the multiple challenges facing today’s educators They are national leaders in literacy learning and research. In addition to publishing innovative research and presenting at national conferences, they also serve as journal editors and editorial board members. Most importantly, they are focused on serving their students by providing rich educational opportunities.

Meet Melissa – Ed.D. in Literacy Studies

Learn how SU students are using their research to create change in their communities.

Our department embraces diversity in student research interest. We believe success comes from building strong relationships between students, faculty and the community.

Judith Franzak PH.D. Department of Literacy Studies

Program Admission

Our application process includes a holistic review of all your application materials. We admit students once a year for the fall cohort. SU’s Ed.D. program is now accepting applications for the fall semester. Apply now

Application Requirements
The Ed.D. is an advanced degree, and candidates must hold a master’s degree in literacy, education, or a closely related field with a GPA of 3.5. Preference is given to applicants who have at least three years of applicable professional experience.

The program admits one cohort each year to begin study in the fall semester. Admission is competitive and potential students are encouraged to begin the application process early. Priority date for admissions consideration is June 1, and the final deadline is July 15. To be eligible for scholarships, you must apply by June 1. If selected as a finalist, an interview with program faculty will be required.

Admission to the Ed.D. program requires applicants to submit the following items:
- Application for Graduate Admission at Salisbury University, which can be done by visiting our Online Application Center.
- Application fee of $65. Accepted methods of payment include credit/debit cards and electronic checks. The application fee is waived for all military and veteran applicants.
- Official transcripts from each college or university you attended. (Applicants with coursework on file at SU do not need to provide official transcripts for SU credit hours). Transcripts should be sent to:
  - Paper: Graduate School Admissions, 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801
  - Electronic: graduateadmissions@salisbury.edu
- Curriculum vita or resume
- Statement of interest.
  - Upload a two-page statement of intent that provides the admissions committee with information regarding why you believe a program in literacy is an appropriate fit for you, its relevance to your career goals, and potential literacy research interests.
- Writing sample
  - Upload a writing sample (no longer than 25 pages) that demonstrates your ability to be successful with graduate level writing. Examples include:
    
    Master’s program paper
    
    National Board portfolio sample
    
    Published editorial
    
    Sample of professional development delivered at your school
    
    Advocacy materials you have developed
    
    Conference paper
- Three professional letters of recommendation.

Financing Graduate Education

Please see the following financial aid resources available for doctoral study in our program.

Our Scholarships

Christopher Scholarship

Christopher Scholars Program provides competitive scholarships to incoming doctoral students in the Literacy Studies doctoral program. To be eligible, the student must submit their application by the priority deadline.

Diane D. Allen Scholarship

The Diane D. Allen Scholarship supports dissertation research in the Literacy Studies doctoral program. The scholarship is awarded to a current student in the program. Award notification will occur in the summer.

Holmes Scholars Program

The Salisbury University Holmes Scholar program in the Seidel School of Education offers academic support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to graduate students studying for degrees in education who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse.
Assistantships

The Literacy Studies doctoral program offers two Graduate Assistant (GA) positions. Assistants are eligible to receive a stipend and tuition waiver of up to 18 credits per fiscal year. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full time. A full-time assistantship requires a time commitment of 20 hours per week.

To check for additional Graduate Assistantship opportunities at Salisbury University, please visit the Graduate Assistantships page.
Federal Loans
This is the most common loan for Master’s and Doctoral level education. There are three types of federal loans for graduate students:
1. Low interest Federal Perkins Loans awarded through the Financial Aid Office
2. Direct PLUS Loans for the U.S. Department of Education
3. Direct (Unsubsidized) Loans from the U.S. Department of Education, the most common type of loan for graduate students
Visit the federal student aid website for more details.
Direct Billing and Tuition Reimbursement Options for Maryland Residents

Learn More About Our Program

Meet Our Faculty
Program Length/Course Schedule
Learn about our robust course offerings.

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:
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Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Ed.D. program will:
- Demonstrate the ability to ground professional practice in literacy theory and research.
- Be able to write about literacy and education in relation to equity and social justice for multiple audiences.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, contextualize, and develop solutions that address problems of literacy practice in varied educational and community contexts.
- Demonstrate the ability to use data to critically understand and evaluate the effects of developed innovations on problems of literacy practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply critical inquiry to and through formal and informal contexts.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and make recommendations to improve the quality of services within literacy contexts through applied research and evaluation of local, state, and national policies and practices.
- Demonstrate the ability to broadly disseminate research that has the potential to resolve critical problems of literacy practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of equity and social justice in shaping their approach(es) to solving problems of literacy practice.
For a full list of outcomes, search for your program in SU's Academic Program Student Learning Outcomes database.