PhD in Curriculum and Instruction - Literacy Studies in Boulder United States | University of Colorado Boulder

The Literacy Studies program brings together faculty and graduate students to explore and create literacy approaches in both traditional print and multimodal formats across diverse settings. Literacy is viewed as fundamental for developing inclusive, justice-oriented educational theories and practices that foster teaching, learning, creativity, and self-expression in K-12 classrooms, community spaces, and informal learning environments. Rooted in critical, social, and interpretive literacy perspectives, our program emphasizes the connections between theory, research, practice, policy, and the pursuit of equitable societal transformation.

Using varied research methods, the program collaborates with children, adolescents, families, and educators while valuing the complex interplay of racial, linguistic, gender, sexual, ability, and socioeconomic identities. Doctoral candidates partner with faculty on research initiatives, participate in community engagement, and contribute to teacher preparation programs focused on socially just, humanizing pedagogies that prioritize every learner's aspirations and requirements. Graduates are equipped for academic careers in research and teaching, leadership roles in educational institutions and community groups, or research and development positions in private and non-profit organizations.