Best Doctorate in Reading Teacher Education Programs

A doctorate in reading teacher education prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, curriculum development, and school district leadership. While requirements vary by school, these doctoral reading programs usually consist of about 40-80 credits. Doctoral students often spend their first few years in the program taking coursework. Then, they spend the remainder of the program performing original research and writing their dissertations.

Completion times vary widely by school, as doctoral students spend varying amounts of time on their dissertations. However, most learners can expect to graduate in about 4-7 years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2019-2020 school year, graduate students at public schools paid an average $12,410 in annual tuition and fees. Graduate students at private schools paid $26,597 annually on average. The true cost of attending online college is often cheaper than on-campus programs.

Read on to learn more about the best doctorate in reading education programs at both public and private universities.

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Doctorate in Reading Teacher Education ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 21 schools that qualify for our ranking, listed in alphabetical order. The programs in our list are based on the following criteria.

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

The value of any degree, especially a terminal or doctoral degree, depends heavily on each student’s goals and circumstances. However, for most learners, a doctorate in reading teacher education is ultimately worth it.

This degree can lead to high-paying positions in academia, research, and school districts. Furthermore, a terminal degree can help practicing teachers and administrators climb the career ladder, allowing them to move into supervisory and managerial roles within their fields.

After you graduate with a doctorate in reading education, you can pursue careers as a professor in graduate education programs, an instructional coordinator within a school district, or as an academic researcher or educational consultant with various companies. Most of these positions require master’s degrees, but a terminal degree in reading teacher education can help you stand out from the competition.

Keep in mind that no one degree can guarantee you a specific job and that demand varies by location, industry, and employer.

Completion times for doctorate in reading teacher education vary widely by school. The main factor that affects this timeline is dissertation requirements. Doctoral students can spend varying amounts of time researching and writing their dissertations, so some learners can spend many years enrolled in doctoral programs. However, most students can earn a doctorate in reading teacher education within 3-7 years.

Some doctoral programs actually set time limits for students, requiring that they finish their dissertations and graduate within a certain number of years.

Salary potential varies by location and field. However, doctoral degree-holders in reading teacher education may make annual salaries ranging from about $60,000-$80,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021, postsecondary teachers earned a median annual wage of $79,640, while instructional coordinators made a median annual salary of $63,740.

Keep in mind that salary potential depends on several factors, including industry, employer, location, and experience. If you work in a school district, you might earn a salary based on a table or schedule that considers your highest level of education and years of service.

The highest-paying job for graduates with a doctorate in reading teacher education is likely a tenured education professor at a college or university. According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the highest 10% of postsecondary teachers — likely professors with significant experience and tenure — earned a median annual wage of more than $172,130.

Salary potential for professors varies by school, by department, and by tenure status. Visiting and adjunct professors generally earn lower salaries.

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