PhD in Reading Teacher Education (PhD)

Judson’s campus sits on the banks of the Fox River in Elgin, a suburban town a short drive from Chicago. Students can explore a riverside setting while staying close to the museums, galleries, design studios, and other opportunities of the Chicago area. Campus life includes residence halls, 22 intercollegiate sports teams competing in the NAIA, chapel, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and university-sponsored events. Individual visits and a virtual tour provide ways to explore the campus, facilities, and dorms.

Academic life follows a liberal arts tradition within Judson’s evangelical Christian mission and Baptist heritage. More than 60 programs span architecture and interior design, art, biblical and Christian ministries, business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, exercise and sport science, mathematics and science, music, psychology, and social services. Architecture includes a one-year preceptorship, while programs in art, photography, chemistry, biology, accounting, and computer science combine professional preparation with small classes and faculty attention. Study options include undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, certificate, main-campus, Rockford-campus, and online formats.

International students join a community that includes learners from 28 countries and is predominantly, though not exclusively, Christian. Judson’s mission places faith, personal relationships, work, citizenship, and lifelong learning at the center of the educational experience. A 10:1 student-faculty ratio and 76% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students support close academic contact. Financial aid is available through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study positions, and more than 99% of students receive assistance.

This programme focuses on research-based approaches to literacy instruction and assessment. Students develop expertise in designing and evaluating literacy interventions for diverse learners. The curriculum emphasizes applying educational theory to real-world classroom settings. Candidates engage in systematic inquiry to improve literacy outcomes in K-12 contexts.

Focus areas include Literacy Instruction, Assessment and Evaluation, Diverse Learners, Curriculum Development.

The programme requires 60 credits, including coursework in literacy theory, research methods, and instructional design. A dissertation and a capstone project are required components of the degree.

Graduates pursue roles as literacy specialists, curriculum coordinators, and educational consultants in school districts and educational organizations.

Applicants must hold a master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Required documents include official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. A resume and a writing sample are also required.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. On-campus, full-time or part-time, typically completed in 3 to 5 years. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 63% of applicants.