On-Campus Specialist Degree (Ed.S.)

Expand your expertise and strengthen your impact as a literacy leader through advanced study in English language arts education. Join a community of dedicated professionals committed to improving literacy practices and educational outcomes across diverse contexts. Apply today to take the next step in your professional growth.

Program Overview

Program Highlights

Students collaborate with a faculty adviser to design an individualized course of study that aligns with their professional goals while meeting the requirements of the graduate school, college, and academic unit. The program emphasizes the integration of theory, research, and practice in literacy education.

Key components of the program include:

• Study of major theories of learning and their application to literacy development
• Exploration of the historical and contemporary foundations of literacy studies
• Engagement with current research in English language arts and literacy education
• Examination of Boyer’s dimensions of scholarship, with emphasis on:
  • The scholarship of teaching
  • The scholarship of integration
• Opportunities to connect theory to practice in meaningful educational contexts

Students may also tailor their studies by selecting areas of specialization that reflect their interests and career goals.

Areas of Specialization

The Ed.S. program offers flexibility for students to focus on specific areas within literacy education, including:

• Teacher education and professional development
• Critical literacy
• Multicultural literature
• Critical pedagogy
• Adolescent literacy
• Media literacy education
• Language acquisition and inquiry
• Literacy and the arts

These focus areas allow students to deepen their expertise and apply their learning to diverse educational settings.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Ed.S. program develop advanced knowledge and skills to support leadership and innovation in literacy education. Students will:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of literacy theories and research
• Analyze the historical and social contexts that shape literacy practices
• Apply Boyer’s scholarship framework to teaching and professional practice
• Integrate research and theory to improve literacy instruction and learning outcomes
• Design and implement effective, context-responsive literacy practices

Professional Application

Throughout the program, students connect academic study with professional practice by examining how research and theory inform real-world literacy instruction. Emphasis is placed on praxis—the dynamic relationship between theory and practice—enabling students to enhance their impact as educators, instructional leaders, and advocates for literacy development.