5 Most Affordable Doctor of English Language Learning Degrees Online

online doctorate english

As we move ever faster towards a global society, the need for highly trained people who are able to instruct people on the intricacies of the English language grows ever more important. Finding an online doctorate in English language learning program can be challenging, but the benefits are more than worth it the effort. Not only do these programs poise graduates for high-paying leadership positions in the field, but they also do so in a way that accommodates the schedules of busy, working educators and professionals.

With so few online programs available at the PhD level, we have not applied our regular methodology to this ranking. Schools are listed solely by tuition cost.

#5—Northcentral University

San Diego, California

Online EdD in English Language Learning

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 11,223

Northcentral University

Northcentral University offers an affordable online doctorate in English language learning program that requires a minimum of 54 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. The program takes a project-based approach to the topic of English language learning and features an optional dissertation completion pathway. Enrolled students will take core courses such as Foundations for Doctoral Study in Education, Advanced Scholarly Writing, and Scholarly Literature Review, for instance. They will also take specialization classes like Evaluation of Diverse Students, Developing Curriculum for ESL students, Second Language Foundations, and Bilingual Instructional Methods. Optional practicum experiences are available to students who desire more hands-on learning. Students can earn their low-cost online English language learning doctorates in as few as 40 months, or they can take up to seven years to fulfill the degree requirements. Completion of the degree does not guarantee ELL/ESL certification, so it’s important that students check their specific state requirements. Northcentral University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked its online graduate education programs among the best in the country.
In-State Tuition: $16,983

#4—Indiana University

Richmond, Indiana

Online EdD in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 3,766

The 60-credit hour affordable online English language learning doctoral degree program from Indiana University is an EdD program in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. The curriculum for the program covers topics such as children’s literature, world Englishes, world languages, academic literacy, local literacies, and critical literacy. It features specific course titles such as Seminar on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Research; Theoretical Issues in the Study of Language and Literacies; and Issues in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. No internship or practicum is required for the degree, but students must attend at least one conference on the Bloomington campus; conferences are held in the Spring. Upon graduation from this cheap doctor of English language learning online program, students are qualified for careers as ESL and EFL teachers, instructional materials writers and editors, reading specialists, English teachers, and language education specialists, for example. Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and this doctoral offering enjoys special program accreditation. U.S. News & World Report has called the university a top national university and a best value school. It has also ranked its online graduate education programs among the top 50 in the nation.
In-State Tuition: $7,527

#3—Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

Online Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy: Teaching English Language

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 9,566

The affordable online English language learning doctoral degree from Murray State University is offered through the school’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the Department of English and Philosophy. The program is designed for English language, literacy, and literature educators in early education through adult learning environments. Core courses comprising the curriculum for the program include Instructional Technology for English, Theories of Curriculum Design and Application in English, Assessment in English, and Methods of Analysis and Reflection in English Teaching. Students will also take specialization classes like Foundations of Second Language Acquisition, Language and Culture, Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL/EFL, and Teaching ESL/EFL Writing. A qualifying exam is required after the first 24 credit hours of coursework. Students must also complete a capstone project in order to receive their online doctorates in English language learning. Murray State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top 35 regional universities in the South, the top 25 best colleges for veterans, and the top 15 public schools in the nation.
In-State Tuition: $9,168

#2—University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Online Professional Leadership EdD: Literacy Education

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 46,148

The online doctor of English language learning from the University of Houston is a 51-credit hour EdD in Professional Leadership with an emphasis in Literacy Education. Offered through the school’s College of Education and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the program features a comprehensive curriculum that is both prescribed and sequenced. Course titles include Issues in Urban Education; Foundations of Literacy Instruction; Reading in the Middle and Secondary School; Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Problems; and Instructional Leadership, Curriculum, and Professional Development. Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to participate in “laboratory of practice” activities that provide hands-on learning experiences in real educational settings. A formal doctoral dissertation is also required. Students can earn their affordable doctorate in English language learning degrees after three years of full-time study. The University of Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report has placed the school in the top 100 public schools and has ranked its online graduate education in the top 20 nationwide.
In-State Tuition: $9,221

#1—Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Online PhD in Curriculum and Instruction: Language, Diversity, and Literacy Studies

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 38,742

Texas Tech University’s low-cost online English language learning doctorate is a PhD offering in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Language, Diversity, and Literacy Studies. The program is technically considered a hybrid option as it does require a two-week summer residency. The curriculum for the program is broad and addresses topics such as critical pedagogy, global literacy, bilingual education theory, immigration and education, and new literacies. Core classes include Research Design in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education, Curriculum Theory: Inquiry, and Diversity Ideologies: Implications for Schooling. Students will also take research courses such as Design-Based Research for Educational Contexts, Advanced Studies in Data-Driven Models of Inquiry in Curriculum and Instruction, and Constructivist Inquiry Methodologies in Curriculum and Instruction. Courses required for the specialization include Research and Language Policy in American Education, Investigating Theoretical Models of Literacy, and Research and Pedagogical Approaches in Latino/Bilingual (ESL) Education. Texas Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked its online graduate education programs among the top 100 in the country and among the top 30 for veterans.
In-State Tuition: $9,300

Frequently-Asked Questions About Low-Cost English Language Learning Doctoral Degrees Online

Q: How long will it take to earn an affordable online English language learning doctorate?
A: It varies depending on the program. Accelerated affordable online English language learning doctorate programs can be completed in just a few years. You may need longer to complete your degree, though. Some programs allow up to seven years or more for degree completion.

Q: Which is the best low-cost online doctor of English language learning program?
A: It’s difficult to pinpoint a single “best” online doctorate English language learning program, but it’s likely that with careful consideration, you’ll find the ideal program to suit your individual needs. To do this, you’ll need to weigh a number of factors, including cost, scheduling options, curriculum content, accreditation, and more.

Q: Can I earn my online doctoral degree in English language learning without a dissertation?
A: Yes. Though most low-cost doctoral programs in English language learning online will require a dissertation (as is the case for most doctorates), there are programs that require a more practical research project instead such as a professional portfolio or capstone project.

Q: Can I earn an affordable doctor of English language learning online without a residency requirement?
A: Yes. Some low-cost online doctor of English language learning programs require an on-campus residency while others do not. Check the program’s website for details and speak with an admissions counselor to confirm.

Q: What does an affordable online doctoral degree in English language learning cost?
A: The cost for online doctoral programs in English language learning will vary from program to program, but in general, you can expect to spend between $5,000 and $20,000 per year on your degree.

Career Questions for Cheap Online Doctorates in English Language Learning

Q: What can I do with an affordable doctor of English language learning online degree?
A: There are a number of career opportunities available to graduates of low-cost online doctoral programs in English language learning. Some of these include ESL teachers, instructional coordinators, university professors, literacy specialists, reading specialists, curriculum developers, and more.

Q: How much will I make with a low-cost online doctorate in English language learning?
A: Your salary upon graduation from an affordable doctor of English language learning program will vary depending on your specific job title, employer, and years of experience in the field, for example. To give you a rough idea, however, we’re listing some occupations related to this degree along with their respective mean annual wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

  • Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teachers: $64,910
  • Instructional Coordinators: $63,750
  • High School Teachers: $59,170
  • Adult Literacy and High School Equivalent Diploma Teachers: $52,100
  • Middle School Teachers: $57,720
  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: $56,900

Q: Is there a demand for professionals with an online doctoral degree in English language learning?
A: Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment opportunities in education are growing about as fast as average compared to all occupational categories.

Q: What professional organizations exist for those with an online English language learning doctorate?
A: There are several professional organizations available to graduates of affordable online English language learning doctoral degree programs. These include general organizations open to all educators and those specific to English language learning such as the National Association for Bilingual Education and the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) International Association.

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