Ed.D. Programs in Reading, Literacy & Language Education

What is an Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education?

Ed.D. programs in Reading, Literacy, or Language Education explore the 4 pillars of literacy—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—in children’s learning, adult learning, and/or second language acquisition. Doctoral programs may also investigate new literacies (e.g. critically evaluating online sources). You may wish to pursue an education doctorate in these fields in order to:

• Deepen your knowledge on language development, reading acquisition & comprehension, and writing skills
• Ground yourself in the cultural, cognitive, and linguistic factors that affect literacy around the world
• Apply research on language, cognition, and learning & design to real-world education challenges
• Create effective literacy strategies & methods for a diverse range of students, including those with learning difficulties
• Provide expert advice on curriculum design & instruction, program assessments, and professional development practices

An Ed.D. in Literacy is a specialist qualification. Most Ed.D. students come into the program with at least three years of relevant educational experience and an evangelical urge to improve student outcomes. Some graduates become literacy specialists, district coordinators, curriculum advisors, and consultants. Others go on to teach literacy as adjunct instructors.

Types of Doctorates in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education

Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education

Twenty years ago, most Schools of Education were content to offer specialist programs in reading. But as the Internet exploded and language research evolved, many institutions began to feel that “literacy” or “language arts” would be more inclusive of ideas around writing, speaking, and 21st century learning. In 2015, the International Reading Association (IRA) changed its name to the International Literacy Association (ILA).

• You’ll still find doctorates in our listings that deal specifically with reading challenges (e.g. NSU’s Online Ed.D. in Reading Education).
• But you’ll also see a number of degrees that have expanded on the original title (e.g. IU Bloomington’s Online Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education).

This has made for a loosey-goosey world. Even if education doctorates in literacy bear the same name, they may have different takes on the subject. Some may focus on studying language acquisition; others may be concerned with instructional methods. Use the curriculum links in our listings to get a better sense of the offering.

Ed.D. in Leadership or Instruction: Reading or Literacy Concentration

If you’re interested in other realms, you also have the option to consider an Ed.D. in Leadership or Curriculum Instruction with a concentration in Literacy Studies. In this scenario, you’re not majoring in literacy; you’re majoring in a topic that overlaps with literacy concerns. For example:

• APSU’s Online Ed.D. in Leadership: Literacy Studies Concentration is designed for students who want to enhance their understanding of leadership theory & policy, prepare themselves for high-level administrative roles, and firm up their knowledge of literacy issues.
• UTRGV’s Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction: Literacy Specialization spends a lot of time exploring PreK-16 curriculum design, assessment, and administration before it progresses to a 5-course specialization in literacy subjects.

Ed.D. in Language Education

An Ed.D. in Language Education or Educational Linguistics goes beyond literacy to explore areas like linguistics, language pedagogy, language acquisition, and the relationship between language & culture. It’s often concerned with the process and practice of teaching a second language to students.

Thanks to the growth of a global society and the increasing diversity of students in U.S. classrooms, language education has become a key concern for administrators. That’s why you’re likely to see more doctorates popping up in this field in the future.

Ph.D. vs. Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education

• Ed.D in Literacy: An Ed.D. in Literacy, Reading, or Language Education will be focused on applied research and practical, real-world strategies. Ed.D. graduates often use their degree to qualify for administrative roles, specialize in literacy instruction, craft curricula, and/or become district-wide leaders. Although an Ed.D. can help you qualify for some academic roles (e.g. Adjunct Professor/Instructor), it’s not designed to prepare you for academia. Ed.D. programs are often 3-6 years (part-time) and may come with a hefty tuition price.
• Ph.D. in Literacy: In contrast, a Ph.D. in Literacy, Reading, or Language Education will train you to conduct research & teach at the collegiate level (e.g. Professor of Literacy Studies). A Ph.D. program is longer than an Ed.D. and much more in-depth. For instance, to help students perfect their understanding of language education, Hofstra’s Ph.D. in Literacy Studies includes a second language requirement. You’ll be expected to dig deep into teaching & research methods and write a lengthy dissertation. Ph.D. programs are typically full-time, 5-year degrees that are funded by a university.

In the world of literacy studies, Ph.D. programs are still much more common than Ed.D. programs. So you’ll have to make some decisions about what you’re willing to sacrifice. If you can’t afford to take time away for a Ph.D. program, you should talk to your employer about your plans. They may be able to help with tuition reimbursement if they feel your learning will create value for the organization.

Learn more about the differences between Ed.D. & Ph.D. programs.

Earning an Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education

Literacy Prerequisites

• Master’s Degree: To apply for an Ed.D. in Literacy, Reading or Language Education, you’ll typically need to have a master’s degree in literacy, education, or a closely related field.
  
• Minimum GPA: This will vary from school to school. Some Schools of Education will consider a minimum 2.75 GPA. Schools with high standards may be looking for a minimum 3.25 GPA. We’ve even seen one school asking for a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• Work Experience: The standard requirement for an Ed.D. is 3 years of applicable professional experience. For example, Hofstra wants to see evidence of full-time teaching experience or the equivalent. Salisbury is willing to consider less experienced candidates, but it gives preference to candidates with 3+ years. 
  
• Additional Requirements: Schools will usually ask for a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), 2-3 letters of recommendation, a statement of interest, and an academic writing sample. GRE or MAT scores may be required if the school is unsure about your qualifications. You may also have to take part in an interview.

Literacy Coursework

To speed your search for a relevant Ed.D., we’ve included a curriculum link for each program in our listings. No two doctorates in literacy are the same, so it pays to do a little bit of research before you make a decision.

• Some education doctorates cover the waterfront, exploring everything from literacy research, assessment & theory to literacy policy & leadership. Others, like Hofstra’s Ed.D. in Literacy Studies, may investigate sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic perspectives, cultural historical perspectives, and even sociopolitical perspectives of literacy.
• At Penn, doctoral students can individualize their Ed.D. in Literacy Studies with one or more areas of concentration. For example, you might choose to specialize in urban education and adult literacy. Or you could decide to focus on children’s literature and literacy practices with families, schools & communities.
• In contrast, Widener’s Online Ed.D. in Cognitive Studies in Literacy explores ideas around brain development, developmental psycholinguistics, comprehension, and theories of learning. Interested in literacy coach certification? You can add two relevant electives to prepare for this qualification.

Bear in mind that all Ed.D. programs will contain mandatory coursework in advanced research methods & tools, including work in quantitative and qualitative research, research design, and data analysis. Be prepared to get stuck into statistics.

Literacy Fieldwork & Internships

We didn’t see many education doctorates in literacy or reading that involved internships. You’ll usually be working in your current job while you study for an Ed.D. So Schools of Education are not going to slam you with requirements that take you away from your income.

However, you will find programs with unique learning opportunities. For example, NSU’s Online Ed.D. in Reading Education includes a mandatory Summer Institute with networking opportunities, pathway-specific workshops, and poster sessions. And APSU’s Online Ed.D. in Leadership: Literacy Studies Concentration features opportunities for presentations & publications with faculty. Whether they’re online or on-campus, look for doctorates that provide these types of experiences.

Literacy Dissertation

Every Ed.D. program in Literacy, Reading, or Language Education will include a final project. This could take the form of a traditional dissertation (similar to the Ph.D.), a Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or a capstone project that addresses a current problem of practice. You can learn more about the differences between these 3 options in our guide to No Dissertation Ed.D. Programs.

Some Schools of Education even give you a choice. At NSU, you can opt for the Applied Dissertation, which will involve a prospectus, proposal, and a scholarly investigation into one or more research questions. Or you could choose the Strategic Research Project, which is action-oriented project designed to solve a problem in an educational setting.

Examples of Literacy Dissertations

• Brain Injury & Inferences in Reading
• Visualization as an Aid to Vocabulary Acquisition
• Using Technology to Enhance Writing by Resistant High School Students
• Composing Practices of Multiracial College Students
• Disciplinary Literacy in Medical Lab Science
• Reading Lies of Secondary English Teachers
• After School Writing Clubs in Elementary Contexts

Online Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education Programs

Are Ed.D. in Literacy Programs Offered Online?

Absolutely. The majority of education doctorates in our program database are delivered through distance learning. Look for the “Offered Online” marker when you’re scrolling through the options.

Online doesn’t mean bad! For instance, Salisbury’s Online Ed.D. Literacy Studies is studded with quality markers. It’s run on a cohort model. It’s a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). It encourages research partnerships with literacy faculty. And it provides scholarships to Ed.D. students. You don’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience.

Do Online Ed.D. in Literacy Programs Contain Residencies?

When we went digging, we found that most online Ed.D. programs in Literacy, Reading, or Language Education were 100% online, with no campus visits required. Even NSU’s Summer Institute can be completed virtually. Schools of Education understand that you have limited time in your schedule to travel.

If you do find a distance learning doctorate with in-person components, talk to recent Ed.D. alumni about the experience. Were the trips to campus worth the cost? Were the networking and professional experiences valuable for their job? And did they feel like the personal attention added to their education?

Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education Careers

Ed.D. in Literacy Jobs

Before you commit to a doctorate, explore the educational requirements sections in job postings for literacy experts. In addition to the usual suspects (e.g. LinkedIn), have a look at roles listed on the ILA Job Board, the LRA Job Board, and the AERA Job Board. You may only need a master’s degree or relevant certifications for a large number of positions.

Having said that, an Ed.D in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education can set you up for a fascinating career in high-level teaching, school leadership, consulting, and curriculum development. You could even stretch your wings and get involved in literacy policy on the state or national level.

Typical Jobs for Ed.D. in Literacy Graduates

• Adult Literacy Instructor
• Adjunct Instructor in Literacy
• Assistant or Associate Professor of Literacy
• Director of Community Literacy
• District Coordinator
• Literacy Assessment & Curriculum Developer
• Literacy Coach/Supervisor
• Literacy Consultant/Professional Developer
• Literacy Director
• Literacy Interventionist
• Literacy Program Manager
• Literacy Specialist
• Policy Analyst
• Reading Specialist

Ed.D. in Literacy Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track wage data for reading & literacy specialists. However, it does issue wage reports on a wide assortment of Educational Instruction and Library Occupations. The NEA also issues reports on topics like Educator Pay Data and NEA Higher Education Faculty Pay. You may find it helpful to use their data as a general benchmark.

You also have the option to research specific reading & literacy job titles on salary sites (e.g. Glassdoor, Indeed, Salary.com, Payscale, etc.). But we’re going to take their data with a grain of salt. For example, in 2024, Payscale estimated the average base salary of a Literacy Specialist would be $53,500 per year. Yet Salary.com calculated that a Literacy Specialist would earn between $69,626 and $83,613.

When in doubt, talk to your mentors, the Ed.D. program coordinator, and recent Ed.D. graduates. Alumni will have the inside track on career opportunities and salary negotiations.

Is an Ed.D. in Reading, Literacy and/or Language Education Worth It?

It depends on your goals. An education doctorate in reading, literacy, or language education will give you the opportunity to change the way reading, writing, and speaking are taught. It will qualify you to teach as an adjunct instructor in literacy. It will deepen your practice and improve your research work. But it’s not cheap. And it’s a niche degree in a niche field.

• If you’re aiming to teach at the university level, we recommend that you choose a Ph.D. in Literacy instead.
• If you’re eyeing PreK-20 administrative roles, explore the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership or Ed.D. in Higher Education.
• If you’d like to get involved in shaping curricula, consider an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in literacy or reading education.

The Ed.D. is designed for working professionals who are head-over-heels in love with literacy studies. Remember that and you’ll be just fine.

Reading, Literacy & Language Education Organizations

• American Educational Research Association (AERA): AERA is a national research society that’s committed to using research to improve education and serve the public good. It hosts Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtables at its annual meeting, awards grants for conferences, and encourages researchers to provide pro bono expertise to institutions. Literacy policymakers should also check out the advocacy section.
• Association of Literacy Educators & Researchers (ALER): ALER is an organization made up of professors, teachers, and reading specialists. It hosts an annual conference in the autumn and publishes an international refereed journal in Literacy Research and Instruction (LRI).
• International Literacy Association (ILA): The granddaddy of them all. Founded in 1956, ILA is an organization of literacy professionals around the world. It advocates for excellence in reading, writing, communicating, and critical thinking. It fosters member research and professional development. And it’s a powerful voice on the global stage.
• Literacy Research Association (LRA): LRA is a non-profit organization made up for scholars who are interested in advancing literacy theory, research, and practice. It organizes an annual conference and publishes the Journal of Literacy Research (JLR).
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): NCTE bills itself as the oldest organization of PreK through graduate school literacy educators. It supports teachers of English and language arts in almost every setting, including classrooms, campuses, and online. Check out the annual convention and the work of constituent groups & local affiliates. Or learn more about NCTE research.