Program Overview

Language and Literacy, Ph.D.

College of Education

Prepare to make an impact and affect change in educational contexts and the profession by engaging with communities and stakeholders to advocate for equality in education and society.

Become a highly qualified literacy educator who knows how to discuss and critique theories and methods related to literacy education within social, historical, political and cultural contexts. Choose an area of specialization and conduct research with a focus on diverse learners and evolving conceptions of literacy in 21st century schools.

Program Highlights

• Mentor-Based

  Benefit from supportive and expert faculty members who are committed to your growth and collaboration.

• Authentic Experiences

  Develop knowledge in the field through scholarship, publications, presentations and leadership activities.

• In-Depth Study

  Explore and examine community literacies within social, historical, political and cultural contexts.

• Design Your Research

  Enjoy opportunities to learn from the diverse research interests and areas of expertise among our faculty.

What You’ll Study

Choose an area of specialization related to your academic interests, and work with faculty members to develop research projects via classes or internships. Participate in teaching and research internships that provide intensive experiences within the higher education setting. Contribute to the body of professional knowledge in the field.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Critical Thinking

  Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

• Research

  Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

• Writing

  Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

• Cultural Awareness

  Learning about and respecting diverse cultures and beliefs

• Networking

  Building relationships and making connections with others to advance personal or professional goals

• Understand Complexity

  Analyzing and synthesizing information to identify patterns and connections

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Literacy Professional
• Literacy Researcher
• Literacy Coach
• Literacy Coordinator
• Literacy Leader
• Faculty Member

Job Titles of Alumni

• Teacher
• Assistant Professor
• Associate Professor
• Personalized Learning Coach
• Academic Consultant
• Department Chair

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $103,924

Workplace Settings

• Education
• State Education Departments
• Federal Education Departments

Employers of Alumni

• University of South Carolina
• South Carolina Department of Education
• Lexington County School District One
• Turner + Turner College Consulting
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
• Wake Forest University

I’m thankful for the program quality, the variety of classes and the collaborative work I’ve done with my professors. My advisor has pushed me throughout this program to submit to conferences and share my research.

Ghanem Alghuwainem