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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire an online doctorate degree in reading & literacy, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in online doctorate in reading & literacy programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Appalachian State has a doctor of education in educational leadership with a literacy in exceptionalities concentration. This degree program is offered via a blended format. Learners pursuing this literacy doctorate take a minimum of 60 credits split comprised of 36 core education credits, 18 credits of literacy concentration classes, and a six-credit dissertation. The degree program core covers significant concepts in education, including educational organizations and technology, writing for the professional educator, and qualitative research methods. Concentration classes allow learners to select from an array of advanced electives, with options such as severe reading disability and literacy instruction for learners with challenging behaviors. The concentration component also requires candidates to finish an internship worth three to six credits; this yearlong practicum enables learners to get hands-on experience working at an endorsed educational agency. Learners must visit the campus for some required special internship seminars.

2. Concordia University – Chicago, River Forest, IL

A private, liberal arts institution associated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Concordia University Chicago has two online literacy doctorate programs: an EdD and a PhD in leadership with reading, language, and literacy concentrations. These programs deliver a theoretical and real-life approach to literacy education, emphasizing strategies rooted in the latest research. Requiring 61 to 67 credits, both degrees offer comparable curricula that consist of four major components: core language and literacy classes; foundations, philosophy, and ethics classes; research and statistics classes; and culminating dissertation/final exams.

The two paths differ somewhat in terms of their classwork. For example, PhD candidates must finish a philosophy of scientific knowledge class, while EdD candidates finish classwork in logical and hypothetical foundations of leadership. The PhD path is also more research-oriented, with candidates taking five research classes. Alternatively, the EdD path is more practice-oriented and contains just three research classes.

3. Indiana University – Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

The largest university in Indiana, IU, is home to an EdD in literacy, culture, and language education degree program that features adaptable coursework intended for working teachers and a cohort format that encourages collaboration and strong peer relationships. The degree’s integrative focus also enables candidates to build connections between class learning and their professional practice. The 60-credit EdD in reading and literacy is delivered online, but learners must attend at least one academic conference on the IU campus. Structured by the school’s Literacy, Culture, and Language Education department, conferences take place each spring semester. The degree normally takes about three years to finish, although online learners have a maximum of seven years to fulfill all doctorate prerequisites.

4. St. John’s University, Queens, NY

St. John’s University has an online PhD in literacy that trains candidates to facilitate literacy instruction at all levels of education. Graduates can work with individual learners or teachers or coursework and administrative practices. This degree program stresses strategies for serving at-risk learners, with available concentrations in teaching English to speakers of other languages, educational leadership, special education, and a generalized literacy cognate choice.

The doctorate in literacy education consists of 42 credits comprised of 18 credits of core literacy classes, 15 credits of research core classes, and nine credits of concentration classes. Learners also finish a dissertation in which they develop a research-based solutions to solve a current literacy problem. By taking classes year-round, candidates can finish the degree in just 2.5 years.