Reading and Language
Doctoral Program
The doctoral program in Reading and Language is designed to prepare graduates who are interested in school based leadership positions, advanced clinical work or college teaching. It is distinguished by a close blending of theoretical and practical courses and experiences so that graduates are prepared as professionals with the competence to make a difference in their jobs. Rigorous coursework and carefully supervised internships in clinical supervision, teaching, research, staff development and evaluation constitute the core of the preparation experience.
FACULTY
The Reading and Language programs at NLU are taught by a nationally and internationally distinguished faculty. More information about them and activities in the programs is available by accessing the Reading Center website at www.nl.edu (click on Centers). The courses in this program are taught by nationally and internationally distinguished faculty.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Prior reading coursework, teaching experience and/or certification are required for entry to the Reading and Language Doctoral program.
These requirements include one graduate course in beginning reading, a second graduate course in comprehension or secondary/content area reading, a course in linguistics and a course in writing instruction.
For promising candidates not demonstrating such preparation, appropriate coursework is required as a pre- or post-admission requirement.
| PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS | SEMESTER HOURS (SH) |
| Doctoral Core | 6 |
| Research, Dissertation | 21 |
| Reading and Language Core | 23 |
| Internship | 6 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Total Degree Requirements | 63 |
In addition to the doctoral core and research and dissertation requirements of the Graduate School, doctoral students in Reading and Language are to complete four types of coursework: a core on six courses on six topics central to the study of reading and language; a variety of internships; advanced reading and language electives; and general electives. Individualization of programs occurs in the design of appropriate internship experiences and in the selection of advanced reading and language electives. The course of study is planned by each student’s program adviser in accord with the needs and objectives of each student.
| READING AND LANGUAGE CORE | SEMESTER HOURS (SH) |
| RDL600 Language, Linguistics, and Literacy | 3 |
| RDL601 Orthography and Word Recognition | 3 |
| RDL602 Reading Comprehension: Research and Application | 3 |
| RDL607 Theory and Research in Writing | 3 |
| Plus two of the following courses: |
| RDL603 Historical Issues in Literacy Research | 2 |
| RDL604 Current Issues in Literacy Research (may be taken more than once) | 2 |
| RDL606 Instruction and Staff Development in Reading and Language | 3 |
The Reading and Language Core provides basic knowledge concerning the history of reading research, current issues, and research methodology, with intensive study of such topics as language development, early reading acquisition, comprehension, writing, and staff development in a small seminar format.
INTERNSHIP
A total of six semester hours is required in internships, which may include diagnostic teaching, staff development, publishing and research experiences in such settings as the classroom, the school, the University, the reading clinic, or the private sector. Internships provide the opportunity for a student to acquire and apply knowledge about reading in a practical setting under close supervision.
Internship Information | Doctoral Internship Cover Sheet | Internship Proposal Format
GRADUATE ELECTIVES
A minimum of seven semester hours of graduate electives must be reading and language graduate courses. Additional 500 or 600 level reading and language coursework are selected on the basis of the student’s professional goals.
Students who do not hold a Type 10 Reading Certificate or Type 10 Special Education Certificate, or who have not trained as Reading Recovery teachers may be required to complete a clinical sequence in literacy instruction. Such coursework may be included as electives. Students may petition the program if they have other clinical coursework in literacy.
Susan McMahon, Professor
SMcm241515@aol.com
630/344-4323
National-Louis University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440. National College of Education at National-Louis University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
