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WELCOME
TO THE

PH.D. PROGRAM IN READING AND LITERACY

Our program trains highly qualified educators who can provide high quality research and instruction in the area of reading and literacy. As the only program of its kind in Alabama, our rigorous course of study, and mentorship experiences with top-rated faculty train our students to become future leaders in reading and literacy education.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the Ph.D. degree in Reading/Literacy is to train Reading/Literacy professionals to teach in the field.  These educators will serve to improve reading and literacy for individuals of varying abilities and achievement levels at the P-12 and adult levels by teaching, conducting research, performing and monitoring strategy applications, and providing professional development.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Reading/Literacy must be admitted to the Graduate School. Applicants must have completed three years of P-12 teaching; must have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate work for students without a master’s degree or an overall GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 for students with a masters or educational specialist’s degree. Also required are the following:

• Graduate School Application,

• Official transcripts sent from all institutions attended (a master’s degree is required to apply to the program),

• Three (3) positive letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and professional work,

• A sample of professional writing in the form of a thesis, article, term paper, or other type of writing that demonstrates writing ability,

• Submit a philosophy paper relative to the advanced degree and its relationship to the applicant’s goals for personal and professional growth,

• An interview with the faculty admissions committee, and

• A GRE score of not less than 850 (verbal and quantitative) with not less than 450 on verbal and 420 on quantitative.

(Note:  All of the listed as "Admission Requirements" must be received in the Graduate Office prior to evaluation for admission to the Ph.D. Program.)

Program Completion Requirements

The Ph.D. program in Reading and Literacy is a 72-75 semester hour program. All students are required to complete at least 57 semester hours (including 18 semester hours of dissertation research) at AAMU. All students must take RDG 700, RDG 702, RDG 705, and RDG 707 (12 hours), and 12 additional hours in Reading/Literacy courses; FED 603, FED 605, MTH 673, and 6 additional research hours (15 hours); and RDG 710 Dissertation (12 hours).  In addition, all students must satisfy the foreign language requirement. (See table below.)

                                               TYPICAL CURRICULUM

Degree Completion Requirements

Candidates for a Ph.D. degree in Reading/Literacy must complete the prescribed courses listed in the approved planned degree and attain an overall GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 point system, pass oral and written comprehensive and competency examinations, and complete the doctoral dissertation.

Course Descriptions

RDG 700: Trends and Issues in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Students will learn about the historical movements (basal readers, whole language, phonics, multicultural influences, etc.) that have affected current practices in reading/literacy research theories and instruction. Various aspects of reading will be traced back to their beginnings.

RDG 701: Assessment in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Political, social, economic, and psychological implications of reading/literacy assessment are explored through examination of the testing movement and of issues that have emerged from the movement.

RDG 702: Quantitative Research Methods in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Students will learn quantitative research methods that are used to investigate reading/literacy. Students will work collaboratively with a faculty member in carrying out a research proposal by formulating questions, designing a study, creating testing instruments and approaches to data analysis.

RDG 703: Qualitative Research Methods in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Students will learn qualitative research methods that are used to investigate reading/literacy. Students will work collaboratively with a faculty member in conducting a research proposal by formulating questions, designing a study, creating testing instruments, and approaches to data analysis.

RDG 704: Curriculum in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Students will investigate research and practice relative to various aspects of reading/literacy such as teaching reading, writing, literature, grammar, usage, and spelling.

RDG 705: Seminar in Reading - Special Topics--3 Sem. Hrs.
This curriculum is designed to meet the individual interests of students relative to topics in reading/literacy. Individually selected topics will be addressed in an in-depth manner.

RDG 706: Advanced Seminar in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
Major topics in reading/literacy will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on analysis, synthesis, and interpretation of original research.

RDG 707: Advanced Clinical Application in Reading/Literacy--3 Sem. Hrs.
This course will require the student to gain an in-depth understanding of formal and informal assessments used in diagnosis of reading difficulties. Under close supervision, the graduate student will work with children with serious reading problems by assessing, establishing a program of acceleration, tutoring, and recording and reporting results.

RDG 708: Leadership in School Program Development--3 Sem. Hrs.
In this course students will examine leadership theory and research, leadership styles, coaching, and methods for affecting change in curriculum and instruction.

RDG 709: Advanced Study in Content Area Reading--3 Sem. Hrs.
Students will examine the research that identifies the aspects of content area reading, which impact student achievement.

RDG 710: Doctoral Dissertation Research in Reading/Literacy--1, 3, 6 Sem. Hrs.
One, three, or six semester hours. The graduate student will complete a proposal for a detailed research study, conduct the study, and defend the completed dissertation in an oral examination.

Faculty/Staff

Dr. H. Wendell Thompson

Phone:  256-372-5527

hubert.thompson@aamu.edu

Dr. Frederick Bigenho, Associate Professor

Phone:  256-372-5523

fred.bigenho@aamu.edu

Dr. Mary Spor, Professor

Phone:  256-372-5525

mary.spor@aamu.edu

Mrs. Vetrea Ruffin, Secretary

Phone:  256-372-5524

vetrea.ruffin@aamu.edu

Mailing Address:
Doctoral Program in Reading/Literacy
Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Educational Leadership

Alabama A&M University

P.O. Box 937

Normal, AL 35762