PhD in Literacy, Language and Culture

Program Contact

Amy Burke, Ph.D., Program Chair
940-898-2234
aburke_@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

March 1: Priority deadline for financial aid and scholarships
April 15: Deadline for summer admission (program has a summer start)

Admission Requirements

• Minimum 3.0 GPA in previous undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Collect and submit the following documents into the application:
  • Collect and submit the following documents to
    • Spring 2024:  twu.edu/literacy-and-learning
    • Summer & Fall 2024: Documents will be uploaded into the application.
  • Vitae/resume
  • Two professional and/or academic letters of reference from individuals who can speak to your potential for success in a graduate program.
  • Professional writing sample (may be a paper written in a master's class)
  • One to two page statement of professional experience and your goals in pursuing a doctoral degree in reading education
  • A one-to-two page narrative answering the following questions:
    • What does ‘literacy learning’ mean to you?
    • What do you think are the greatest challenges for language and literacy educators today?
    • What do you think current and past colleagues and employers would tell us about you as an educator?

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
   3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
   4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.