Doctoral Program

The Reading Doctoral Degree is a 60-hour program available on the SHSU campus or at The University Center in The Woodlands, Texas.

Doctoral Application (.pdf format)

Doctoral Flier (.pdf format)

Recommended Course Sequence

Technology Requirements:

It is expected that candidates have the following computer skills: sending/receiving emails, attaching documents to emails, crating tables, creating PowerPoint presentations, conducting an online search, and using library electronic reserves. Microsoft Word is the required word processing program. It is also expected that candidates have access to a computer at home since most of the course w s done n the evening and on weekends.

Admission Procedures:

A program application is available online or you may contact The Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations at 936-294-4045. You may also email the department at calexand@shsu.edu or EDDREADING@shsu.edu for further information.

Applicants also must apply online to The Office of Graduate Studies or by mail at the following address:

Sam Houston State University

Office of Graduate Studies

P.O. Box 2478

Huntsville, TX 77341-2478

To be considered for REGULAR ADMISSION to the Reading Doctoral Program, applicants must submit the following documents:

To the Office of Graduate Studies:

• Application for Admission
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must have a master's degree in reading or equivalent coursework, including 18 hours of graduate reading coursework from an accredited institution)
• Acceptable scores on the GRE (1000) or Miller Analogy Test that fits within the range of other doctoral programs within the state.
• GPA of 3.0 on all graduate work

To the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations:

• Personal Statement - satisfactory response to questions on program application
• Three letters of recommendation with accompanying checklists
• Interview - satisfactory interview with the advisory committee
• Teaching Certificate with a reading specialist endorsement and/or three years teaching experience.

To be considered for CONDITIONAL ADMISSION, candidates must submit:

• Official Transcripts - master's degree in reading (18 hours of reading coursework must be completed before full admission status would be granted)
• Students with a GPA lower than 3.0 accompanied by a statement of why that GPA does not adequately reflect his/her potential as a successful graduate student
• Students with a GRE score lower than 1000 or a Miller Analogies Test (50%tile) may still be granted conditional admission when providing a statement of why that GRE score does not adequately reflect his/her potential as a successful graduate student
• All other items necessary for full admission

Notice for students granted conditional admission: After the completion of one semester (9 hours) of prescribed graduate course work and all required stem work at SHSU, the student will need to apply for full admission to the program and admission to candidacy. The advisory committee will review his/her academic progress, interpersonal skills, and motivation to determine whether or not the student should be allowed to continue in the doctoral program. All students will be accepted into the program as a cohort and will complete classes in a prescribed sequence. Exceptions to this will be courses taken as electives to fulfill the elective component. After the completion of one semester, a dissertation committee will be chosen.