“This program reflects exactly what we want graduate education at Jax State’s graduate program to accomplish — respond to a real need while creating opportunities for professionals to advance without having to leave the communities they serve,” said Dr. Christie Shelton, Jax State’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Jacksonville State University is expanding its graduate degree offerings with a new Doctor of Arts in English program designed for educators seeking to advance their academic expertise while continuing to teach. The fully online doctoral program will welcome its first students in Fall 2027, with applications now open.
The program is the only Doctor of Arts in English offered in Alabama. It is structured to accommodate working educators across the state and nationwide.
By offering all coursework online, Jax State aims to provide teachers with an opportunity to earn a terminal degree without relocating or leaving their current positions.
Unlike a traditional Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which generally emphasizes original scholarly research and preparation for tenure-track university faculty positions, or a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), which often focuses on educational leadership and administration, the Doctor of Arts (D.A.) emphasizes advanced disciplinary knowledge, teaching, and the practical application of research in educational settings.
Coursework and Project Requirements Define the Program
The 45-credit-hour post-master’s program includes advanced coursework in literature, rhetoric and composition, linguistics, and English pedagogy. Required courses address research methods, teaching composition, teaching literature, curriculum development, course design, and assessment.
Students must also complete and defend a 12-credit-hour Doctor of Arts Project focused on practice-oriented research.
Dr. Raina Kostova, professor and head of Jax State’s Department of English, led the development of the program. She said the degree was created specifically for educators who want to strengthen their knowledge while remaining active in the classroom.
“We created this program for educators who love their discipline and love being in the classroom,” Kostova said. “Teachers should not have to choose between pursuing the highest level of education in their field and continuing to teach. The D.A. gives them an opportunity to become stronger scholars and stronger teachers, and to immediately apply what they are learning in their own classrooms.”
Professional Benefits and Dual Enrollment Qualifications
The degree is intended to provide additional professional opportunities for educators, including qualifications to teach dual enrollment and other college-level English courses in high schools. Expanding the number of qualified instructors could increase opportunities for high school students to earn college credit before graduation.
Participants will also have the opportunity to pursue National Board Certification, with assistance available through Jax State’s Regional Inservice Center. The program could provide financial benefits for eligible Alabama educators.
Under the state’s teacher salary schedule, teachers who earn doctoral degrees may qualify for higher compensation levels. Those who obtain National Board Certification may also be eligible for additional compensation.
The program received support from educational organizations across Alabama, including the Alabama State Department of Education and Jax State’s Regional Inservice Center. Supporters identified potential benefits related to English instruction, dual enrollment access, professional development, and teacher retention.
Before its introduction, the degree program received approval from the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Applications Open for the Fall 2027 Class
Kostova said the university anticipates that the program’s benefits will extend to the students taught by participating educators.
“Ultimately, the impact of this program reaches beyond the educators who earn the degree,” Kostova said. “When teachers strengthen their knowledge of literature, writing, language, and pedagogy, their students benefit. We believe this program can make a meaningful difference in classrooms across Alabama and beyond.”
Applications are currently being accepted for the inaugural Fall 2027 class. As part of the university’s No Fee November initiative, domestic applicants who submit their applications by November 30, 2026, can have their application fees waived.
Additional information about admission requirements and the application process is available through Jacksonville State University’s graduate programs.
References
- Jacksonville State University Department of English Graduate Programs Documentation.
- Calhoun Journal reporting on Jacksonville State University Doctor of Arts Program Launch.
