The PhD in English (English education) prepares students to become national leaders in the field of English education. This concentration emphasizes the relationship between pedagogy and research methodologies used to study the teaching of secondary English (grades 7-12) and prepares students to examine the writing and reading practices of secondary students as well as the instructional practices of secondary English language arts teachers. Possible areas for research focus within this program include young adult literature, secondary reading and writing practices, new literacies, English language learning, and secondary English language arts curriculum and instruction development.
The PhD in English (English education) at ASU offers a diverse intellectual community of graduate students and faculty advisors that we believe is unmatched. Our graduates go on to serve as tenure-track faculty at research universities and teaching colleges; as curriculum specialists for school districts, state and federal departments of education, and private education agencies; and as administrators for writing project sites. Program alumni regularly win teaching, research, and leadership awards from national organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of English, the Council of English Education, and the National Writing Project.
Degree Overview
This 84-hour program requires 42-72 hours of coursework and research including 12 hours of dissertation. PhD examination consists of two papers, an oral or written exam and a prospectus. The ideal candidate will have an interest in the relationship between pedagogy and research methodologies used to study the teaching of secondary English.
How to apply
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's and master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants with master's degrees in English education and related fields, such as English literature, applied linguistics, education, and rhetoric and composition, will be considered. A minimum of three years of full-time teaching or volunteer work in secondary English language arts classrooms or in literate-rich settings is required.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00= "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00= "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Deadline: January 1
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- resume or curriculum vitae
- three letters of recommendation
- academic writing sample
- proof of English proficiency
An application fee is required. Official transcripts and test scores must be sent to the ASU Graduate Admissions Office. Institution code for test scores is 4007.
International students must have an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS score report sent to the Graduate College. Please refer to this webpage for the Department's English proficiency requirements.
For more information contact the Graduate Studies Office enggrad@asu.edu or the program director Jessica Early.
Detailed information on how to apply.
Having student teachers from ASU gave me the opportunity to take 12 credit hours from ASU, so I took a couple of poetry classes with Dr. Cynthia Hogue, and I was reminded of how much I love learning. After I took a class with Dr. Blasingame, I was hooked. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the mentorship and leadership that I had in those early semesters, because it was only their belief in my abilities that kept me moving forward.
—Alice Hays, PhD in English Education, 2017
Curriculum
The PhD consists of 84 hours of graduate work. A student with a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 54 semester hours of approved graduate work, which includes 12 hours of dissertation. Students will complete all courses on their Program of Study (iPOS) with a grade of B or better and maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
*Note: This degree is not TESOL, ESL, or EFL related. If interested in these fields, check out our PhD Linguistics and Applied Linguistics program.
A minimum of 84 credit hours is required without an appropriate MA.
Requirements and electives | Hours |
Core Course - Approaches to Research | 3 |
Foundational Distribution | 12 |
Advanced Studies Distribution | 12 |
Internships | 6 |
Specialization | 9 |
Research and Electives | 30 |
Dissertation | 12 |
Courses and electives
Possible areas for research focus within this program include young adult literature, secondary reading and writing practices, new literacies, English language learning, critical literacy, and secondary English language arts curriculum and instruction development.
- ENG 501: Approaches to Research in English Education
- Students must take 12 hours at the 500 level selected from a list of approved courses in education, English, linguistics, and applied linguistics.
- Students must take 12 hours at the 600 level from a list of approved courses in education, English, indigenous studies, linguistics, and applied linguistics.
- Students will complete two internships (ENG 784). Each internship will focus on either the supervision of secondary English language arts teachers, research in collaboration with her/his advisor in a secondary English language arts classroom setting, or assisting in the teaching of an undergraduate English education methods course (i.e. young adult literature, methods of teaching secondary writing, or teaching the interpretation of texts of various genres in the secondary English language arts classroom).
- Students will complete at least three courses focused on their area of specialization, which will provide them with intensive background in their selected area of expertise in English education.
- Students should consult their supervisory committees when choosing electives.
- ENG 799 Dissertation