EdD in Language & Literacy
Blended delivery thesis-based degree program designed for practicing professionals
Applications open September 1 - December 1
The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a thesis-based degree intended for professionals who may continue to work in their communities while building expertise as research-informed practitioner-scholars. Participants will engage in critical and creative readings of scholarly discourse and conduct research on a topic that is important in their profession. Persons admitted to this program will normally have a Masters degree in the teaching and learning of language(s) and literacies, or in a closely related field.
The EdD in Language and Literacy is designed to support teachers, principals, curriculum leaders, policy makers and community and non-formal educators as they engage with current research and practice in language and literacy learning. This program will also be of interest to linguists and language professionals, including specialists in language revitalization.
Seminars in this specialization will support participants in conducting research on various dimensions of linguistic and cultural diversity. Topics in the Languages & Literacy specialization include: current research from scholars of language learning, intercultural communication and discourse systems, multiliteracies (multiple meaning-making systems, including print, visual, oral, audiovisual, and gestural texts), and new literacies and digital media.
Program Delivery
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Blended - Online and Face-to-Face
EdD Summer Residency: Six-week summer program (blended delivery), including two weeks on-campus at UCalgary, followed by four weeks online. Please note program delivery is subject to change based on provincial health guidelines.
Fall/Winter Semesters: Online
A registration package will be sent to new students after they have been admitted. Registration for the summer term will be available in late winter. Fall and Winter registration opens in the spring. Your Graduate Program Administrator will send more information about registration to you.
Fee details are available through the University Calendar. An explanation of fees is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies' website.
As a Graduate Student you are expected to devote the time, effort, and energy necessary to engage in scholarship. As a graduate student, you will determine the specific milestones and requirements of your program of study in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar and with your graduate supervisor.
An integral part of the doctoral experience is working closely with a supervisor on the development and completion of a research project. A graduate supervisor mentors graduate students through regular meetings and research training aimed at research, scholarship, teaching and professional development. Graduate supervisors support students in the timely completion of their programs. As a Graduate Student, you are expected to meet with your graduate supervisor on a regular basis. While each student-supervisor relationship is unique, graduate supervisors can assist graduate students in a number of ways: advising on course selection, applying for awards and scholarships, obtaining research funds, applying for teaching assistant and sessional teaching opportunities, developing track records in refereed publications and conference presentations, getting involved in leadership and service, and encouraging and supporting apprenticeship in a research community of practice (collaborative review of papers, grants, academic writing, and data analysis).
In the EdD program a supervisor is normally appointed at the time of admission.
Please visit the candidacy and dissertation section of our website for information.
The structure of the program was its strength. I really appreciated attending classes in person in the summers and then completing the other two semesters virtually. This allowed a lot of work and life flexibility. Although the summers were intense, they were incredibly interesting and the instructors were very supportive.
Laura Morrison, EdD
Language and Literacy
Laura graduated with her EdD in Language and Literacy in 2021. Read more about Laura's journey
Program Schedule
A list of required courses for the EdD Language and Literacy program can be found below. Completion of additional and relevant coursework outside of the required courses may be discussed with your supervisor.
Program Notes
Please consult the Graduate Calendar for course descriptions and the Academic Schedule for important dates and deadlines.
Course outlines are normally posted in D2L 1-2 weeks prior to the start of the term.
Years 1 and 2 have blended courses in the summer which include an on-campus component.
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Year 1
Summer (blended)
EDER 768.05 L01 (1478) Theory and Practice in Language Learning
and
EDER 768.07 L02 (1479) MultiliteraciesFall (online)
EDER 711 L02 (75190) Advanced Research Methodologies
Winter (online)
EDER 712 L02 (14402)Advanced Research Methodologies II
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Year 2
Summer (blended)
EDER 768.06 L01 (50340) Language, Culture & Intercultural Communication
and
EDER 768.08 L02 (50341) New Literacies & Digital MediaFall (online)
EDER 707 L02 (72762) Collaboratory of Practice I
Winter (online)
EDER 708 L02 (12633) Collaboratory of Practice II
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Years 3-6
The work completed in years 3-6 is variable and depends on your pace. Students have up to six years to complete their EdD program.
Candidacy
Candidacy must be completed within 28 months from the program start date.
Dissertation
Your dissertation is the focus of your degree program.
Students enrol in Dissertation Seminar once you have successfully completed your candidacy exam and have begun to work on your dissertation. Dissertation Seminar is offered every fall and winter term.
Fall Terms (online)
EDER 709 L01 (71212) Dissertation Seminar I
Winter Terms (online)
EDER 710 L01 (11214) Dissertation Seminar II
Prospective students: how to apply
Visit our Future EdD students page for admission requirements and application details. A list of EdD specializations that we are accepting applications into is outlined on this page.