UW-Stevens Point’s new Doctor of Education program to focus on sustainable literacy systems

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is launching a literacy education program that is the first of its kind in the state.

The new online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Language and Literacy program was designed for educators, administrators and literacy leaders to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to improve literacy outcomes and build sustainable resources in K-12 schools.

The Ed.D. program was developed after recognizing a growing need in schools and districts across the state.

"Literacy is a hot topic in education right now," said Associate Professor and Ed.D. Director Amber Garbe. "There is need at the local, state and national level to support professionals in deepening their understanding of research and literacy and in developing systems that lead to meaningful outcomes."

The program is built on three core pillars: language, literacy and sustainable systems. Language forms the foundation for all literacy development, while literacy itself is the central focus of instruction. The third pillar, sustainable systems, emphasizes creating school environments where resources are used efficiently, teachers are well-trained and supported and programs can maintain effectiveness over time.

"When we think about literacy learning and sustainable systems, we are working to shift education professionals toward a more proactive approach," said Polly Manske, assistant professor and director of master's program in the School of Education. "This expands the opportunity and knowledge base needed to proactively design systems, support literacy and develop our professionals, educators and teachers along the way."

The program also draws on the expertise of UWSP's Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty, giving students access to language specialists whose insights strengthen the program's foundation in literacy development.

Designed to be flexible and applicable for a wide range of education professionals, the program benefits classroom teachers, special educators, speech and language clinicians, principals, district administrators, literacy coaches and policy advocates. Aligning with current research in education, the program's rigorous curriculum includes multiple dissertation options and emphasizes bridging research into classroom and leadership practice.

"From our first information session, we had such a cross section of people working in these different roles," said Garbe. "The diverse expertise and roles of participants will foster an impactful community of thought partners that will lead to more innovative solutions."

A distinguishing feature of the program is its residency model. Students begin with a summer residency on the UW-Stevens Point campus, where they meet faculty and cohort members and engage with global affiliate scholars - outside experts who bring specialized knowledge to the program.

"A big reason to bring students to campus is to build that community network, but to also get students immersed in high quality scholarship right at the onset of starting this program," said Garbe.

In subsequent years, students will gather at the Literacy Research Association national conference to continue connecting research and practice. By helping students bridge research to practice, the residency will set its students up for success throughout the program.

"Getting a doctoral degree in and of itself is so transformational. If that is something you are teasing with in your mind, we can assure you that when you come out on the other side, you will look back and be grateful that you invested in your own learning," said Garbe. "In our case, it means you are ready to give back to the profession and the system where you work."

Applications for the first cohort are now open, with a priority deadline of Nov. 1. Online information sessions are also available to attend to overview current curriculum, program expectations, admissions processes and answer any questions about the program.

More information can be found at uwsp.edu/eddliteracy.