Leadership Doctoral Programs
Reading, Language, and Literacy Specialization
Home Doctoral Programs Reading, Language and Literacy Specialization
Program Overview
Concordia University Chicago’s Leadership Ed.D/Ph.D program with a specialization in Reading, Language and Literacy provides a theoretical and practical framework for literacy instruction and assessment within an emphasis on current research, theory, reading, writing and multiliteracy programs. Our graduates are prepared to become faculty and leaders in the creation and implementation of research-based literacy programs in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities, adult and community-based outreach programs, corporate training settings and nonprofit educational endeavors.
**Program begins in Spring and Fall Only**
Learning Objectives
This program enables students to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of major theoretical, conceptual, and evidence-based foundations of literacy and language, the ways in which they interrelate, and the role of the reading/literacy specialist in schools.
- Use foundational knowledge to design literacy curricula to meet needs of learners, especially those who experience difficulty with literacy; design, implement, and evaluate small-group and individual evidence-based literacy instruction for learners; collaborate with teachers to implement effective literacy practices.
- Understand, select and uses valid, reliable, fair, and appropriate assessment tools to screen, diagnose, and measure student literacy achievement; inform instruction and evaluate interventions; assist teachers in their understanding and use of assessment results; advocate for appropriate literacy practices to relevant stakeholders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of research, relevant theories, pedagogies, and essential concepts of diversity and equity; demonstrate an understanding of themselves and others as cultural beings; create classrooms and schools that are inclusive and affirming; advocate for equity at school, district, and community levels.
- Meet the developmental needs of all learners and collaborate with school personnel to use a variety of print and digital materials to engage and motivate all learners; integrate digital technologies in appropriate, safe, and effective ways; foster a positive climate that supports a literacy-rich learning environment.
- Demonstrate the ability to be reflective literacy professionals, who apply their knowledge of adult learning to work collaboratively with colleagues; demonstrate their leadership and facilitation skills; advocate on behalf of teachers, students, families, and communities.
- Complete supervised, integrated, extended practica/clinical experiences that include intervention work with students and working with peers and experienced colleagues; practica include ongoing school-based setting(s); supervision includes observation and ongoing feedback by qualified supervisors.
(Source: International Literacy Association Reading/Literacy Specialist Standards, 2017)
Admission Requirements
- Completion of Master’s Degree at a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- At least 3 years experience in an education/literacy-related field
- All other doctoral requirements outlined by the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs
Degree Requirements
- 61-67 hours of coursework
- Capstone experience embedded in two semesters of internship
- Comprehensive Examinations
- Dissertation
Degree Requirements for Ed.D. Track
Course Number | Title | Hours |
Doctoral Program Core | ||
EDL-7140 | Organizational Change | 3 |
EDL-7210 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
EDL-7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders | 3 |
FPR-7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership | 3 |
Research and Statistics | ||
RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
RES-7900 | Research Design | 4 |
Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation | ||
COMP-7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee-based) | 0 |
DISS-7010 | Dissertation I | 3 |
DISS-7020 | Dissertation II | 3 |
DISS-7030 | Dissertation III* | 3 |
Reading, Language, and Literacy Core Courses | ||
RLL-7000 | Trends and Issues in Literacy Research | 3 |
RLL-7010 | Instructional Approaches to Reading, Writing and Language | 3 |
RLL-7020 | Development and Evaluation of Literacy Programs | 3 |
RLL-7030 | Policy and Politics of Reading, Language and Literacy | 3 |
RLL-7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Perspectives of Literature and Literacy | 3 |
RLL-7050 | Multiliteracies | 3 |
RLL-7060 & RLL-7061 | Reading, Language and Literacy: Internship I and Reading, Language and Literacy: Internship II (32 weeks) | 6 |
RLL-7200 | Literacy Supervision, Leadership and Coaching | 3 |
RLL-7310 | Writing is Recorded Thinking: Research, Theory and Application | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 61 |
*Upon completion of the nine required hours of dissertation coursework, candidates must maintain continuous enrollment with DISS-8000 Dissertation Supervision until program completion.
Degree Requirements for Ph.D. Track
Course Number | Title | Hours |
Doctoral Program Core | ||
EDL-7140 | Organizational Change | 3 |
EDL-7210 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
EDL-7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders | 3 |
FPR-7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership | 3 |
Research and Statistics | ||
RES-7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
RES-7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
RES-7900 | Research Design | 4 |
RES-7620 or RES-7710 | Advanced Topics in Statistics or Advanced Qualitative Analysis | 3 |
Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation | ||
COMP-7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee-based) | 0 |
DISS-7010 | Dissertation I | 3 |
DISS-7020 | Dissertation II | 3 |
DISS-7030 | Dissertation III* | 3 |
Reading, Language, and Literacy Core Courses | ||
RLL-7000 | Trends and Issues in Literacy Research | 3 |
RLL-7010 | Instructional Approaches to Reading, Writing and Language | 3 |
RLL-7020 | Development and Evaluation of Literacy Programs | 3 |
RLL-7030 | Policy and Politics of Reading, Language and Literacy | 3 |
RLL-7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Perspectives of Literature and Literacy | 3 |
RLL-7050 | Multiliteracies | 3 |
RLL-7060 & RLL-7061 | Reading, Language and Literacy: Internship I and Reading, Language and Literacy: Internship II (32 weeks) | 6 |
RLL-7200 | Literacy Supervision, Leadership and Coaching | 3 |
RLL-7310 | Writing is Recorded Thinking: Research, Theory and Application | 3 |
RLL-7000 | Trends and Issues in Literacy Research | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 67 |
* Upon completion of the nine required hours of dissertation coursework, candidates must maintain continuous enrollment with DISS-8000 Dissertation Supervision until program completion.