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 finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
   
   • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
     • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
   • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.
     
     
2. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
   • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
   • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
     TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
     (include your full name and ID number).
   • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
   • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.
     
     
3. 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 Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

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