Coordinator:
Dr. Alisa Belzer (848-932-0778; email: alisa.belzer@gse.rutgers.edu)
I. PURPOSEII. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The program requires 72 credits of study beyond the bachelor of arts degree. Students develop a broad understanding of literacy issues, a repertoire of research tools, an understanding of how their work relates to the work of other disciplines both within and outside the Graduate School of Education (GSE), and pursue an inquiry into an area of special interest. In addition to coursework, students are required to write a qualifying paper, pass a qualifying exam, propose and complete an original research project, and complete and defend a dissertation based on that research.
IV. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
1. Foundations of Education (at least one course in each of the following areas)
Learning in a Content Area
policy and leadership
social and philosophical foundations
psychological foundations
The 9 credits that the student will take will be outside the student's own program.
2.
Literacy Education
A. Area of Specialization Required Courses
15:252:514 Issues of Diversity in Language and Literacy Learning (3)
15:252:615 Independent Study in English Education (Qualifying Paper) (BA)
15:299:561 Theoretical Foundations of Literacy--Research, Policy, and Practice (3)
15:299:564 Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties (3)
15:299:566 Literacy Research and Supervision (3)
16:300:516 Developing a Theory of Language and Literacy Education (3)
16:300:532 Language in Education: Sociocultural Theory (3)
B. An additional 9 credits taken in literacy education or in relevant areas within or outside the GSE. Elective courses require adviser approval.
3. Research Methodology (9 credits consisting of courses in two of the following three areas)
quantitative foundations
qualitative foundations
program evaluation
(Courses require adviser's approval.)
4. Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination requires students to respond to two questions in 15-20 page papers. Each year one common question will be given to all candidates. This question will center on an issue that cuts across areas of specialization and will be designed to guarantee both that students are current in their knowledge and that they are able to use research and theory to advance their own arguments. The second question will be developed by the adviser and will center on the area that the student plans to investigate in his or her dissertation. Like the coursework, then, the qualifying exam is designed to ensure that students have both sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge. Qualifying examinations must be read by two members of the core faculty.
5. Dissertation (24 credits)
15:250:701 Dissertation Study: Learning and Teaching (BA) (Note: no more than 12 credits of dissertation study may be taken before the successful completion of the qualifying examination.) The dissertation committee consists of at least three members approved by the program and department chair. The chair of the dissertation committee must be a member of the Graduate School of Education, and at least one committee member must be a member of the student's program. At least two committee members must be Rutgers faculty members; at least one must be from outside the student's department.
Total Credits: 72
Please Note:
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in the doctoral coursework and dissertation research courses.
- Students may petition the faculty to transfer up to 18 graduate credits of coursework taken elsewhere to meet these requirements. Transfer of credits is not guaranteed, and it must be demonstrated that transferred credits meet the specific goals of the program. The faculty will review each petition and decide if the coursework taken elsewhere meets the standards of courses sponsored by the Ed.D. program.
- Degree programs will be approved by both the student's program adviser and by the chair of the department.
Time Limits:
Students have seven years from the time of admission to complete coursework and qualifying examinations, and they will have a total of 10 years to complete all requirements.