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College of Education

Phd special education.

The PhD in Special Education prepares individuals for careers as university scholars, teacher educators, and school leaders. With a focus on conducting research on special education in urban and culturally diverse schools, we emphasize the importance of data and empirically derived theory to promote effective practice and policy for students with special needs. The program develops student competencies in research and teaching through coursework and individual advising. In addition, the program provides doctoral students opportunities to develop competitive professional resumes through scholarly publications and presentations at the national, state, and regional levels. Program faculty have expertise in a range of areas including language and literacy, early intervention, developmental disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, special education policy, and teacher preparation.

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• Book icon 2023-2024 UIC Graduate Catalog

Overall: 96 semester hours of graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree or 64 semester hours beyond the master’s degree

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Frequently asked questions heading link copy link, what can i do with a phd in special education.

The purpose of UIC’s Special Education PhD program is to prepare students to pursue careers in special education research in either academia or to pursue school or district administrative positions. Most graduates move into higher education which includes preparing teachers, conducting research, and contributing to the field via various service activities.

How long does the program take?

Most students complete the program between four and six years with full-time students, typically completing the program in closer to four years and part-time students completing the program in six years.

Is transfer of course credit allowed?

Transfer of course credit is not automatic and requires approval of program faculty. The UIC Graduate College permits no more than 25 percent of the hours to be transferred into the degree. UIC’s Special Education PhD program will transfer up to 16 credit hours of relevant coursework if approved by the program coordinator and the Graduate College. For more information about credit transfer procedures, please consult the UIC Graduate Catalog .

Can I hold a job while in the program?

Yes, many students in the program will hold a full-time job during their program. Evening course meeting times help to reduce conflicts between work and academic schedules.

When do courses meet?

College of Education courses typically meet once a week in the evenings (5 p.m.–8 p.m.) Monday through Thursday. In the summer, they typically meet twice per week in the evenings (4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Is the GRE required?

No, the GRE is not required.

Is a master’s degree required for this program?

Yes. A master’s degree is required to earn a PhD. The master’s degree may come from any field related to special education. For students without a master’s degree, it is possible to earn one as part of the program of study while pursuing the PhD. Experience working in the field prior to enrolling is beneficial to students entering the field.

Can I afford the degree?

UIC makes every effort to help students pay for the cost of going to college. Our College Financial Aid page can help answer your questions.

Review the UIC tuition and fee schedule and find out more about billing and payment options .

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers six basic types of financial aid for graduate students: fellowships, assistantships, tuition-and-selected-fee waivers, traineeships, loans, and employment. Applicants for these types of aid must be admitted to a graduate degree program or have a completed application pending. Eligibility for loans is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Applicants for loans should go directly to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Applications for fellowships, assistantships, and tuition/fee waivers are available in the department office, the Graduate College Office, and on the Graduate College website. In the administration of these programs and in selecting students for participation in them, the University of Illinois at Chicago adheres to the Nondiscrimination Statement on the Office for Access and Equity website .

Can I get housing on campus?

Yes. It is best to apply as soon as you know you want to live on campus, because applications are prioritized by date of application. Visit campus housing to find out more and submit your application.

What student support does the College of Education provide?

The UIC College of Education is committed to the success of its students. If you have concerns or questions you can stop by the Office of Student Services or make an appointment to see a faculty advisor. The College encourages a good working relationship between students and their advisors. You can also find support from your professors and fellow students. UIC offers many support programs and opportunities that encourage academic success. Your program advisor can help you connect to UIC resources.

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Special Education Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.)

An individually crafted program of study prepares you for faculty and leadership positions in colleges, universities, research institutes, or human service agencies.

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Program Overview

Acquire fundamental research methodology skills requisite for advanced positions in special education and engage in research on topics of particular interest and importance. Prepare and submit grant proposals-many of our students have received grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Have opportunities to publish throughout your program and present your work widely at state, regional, and national conferences. Develop a strong professional portfolio that leads to a faculty or research position in leading programs across the country.

Program Facts

Director of Graduate Studies: Robert Hodapp Admissions Coordinator: Kelly Limina Admission Term: Fall Application Deadline: December 1

Specializations

Early childhood program.

The Early Childhood Program is designed to serve infants, toddlers, young children, and their families who deal with a wide range of developmental delays including cognitive, communication, social, adaptive behavior, or motor skills.

High Incidence Program

The High Incidence Program is designed to serve children and young adults with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.

Low Incidence Program

The Low Incidence Program is designed to serve children, youth, and adults who have intellectual disability, autism, multiple disabilities, and other students with extensive support needs or visual disabilities.

Tuition and Financial Aid

All admitted Ph.D. students receive funding for at least four years of study, which includes full tuition, a monthly stipend competitive with any college of education in the nation, and health insurance. Based on presented qualifications, Peabody will nominate select students for additional honor scholarships and fellowships that supplement the baseline college award. SPED receives leadership training grants from the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education that provide doctoral students with tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance, and professional travel. To be eligible for these grants, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Other funding streams are available for those who do not meet these requirements.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD), Special Education

Courses start every monday, take the first step in your national university journey, 230k+ alumni worldwide, phd-ed in special education.

For education professionals with a desire to be an active scholar in the field of education and make significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education program can take both your research skills and career options to a higher level. The program begins with a review of theoretical frameworks to support your understanding of the role of theory in a PhD degree. Coursework combines this strong base of theoretical knowledge with an individualized focus to conduct research in pre-K-12, post-secondary, and adult learning environments as you contribute new and innovative findings to advance your field of educational specialization.

Why Earn Your Doctorate in Special Education with National University?

The Special Education (SE) specialization is designed for professionals who work with gifted and disabled students in a variety of settings. The program covers a spectrum of related issues, including the development and characteristics of students, learning differences, and instructional strategies that address these special needs. The coursework provides you with the knowledge and contemporary research skills to plan, assess, and deliver instruction to gifted students and those with mental, physical, behavioral, or learning disabilities.

Admission Requirements 

A conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution or an international institution determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service.

Dissertation Process

In addition to the foundational and specialization courses, each PhD student is required to complete a high-quality dissertation through a systematic process and sequential courses assisted by faculty. A PhD dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of educational study. The step-by-step process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of your dissertation.

Courses and Sequence

The PhD in Education program requires 60 credits for degree completion. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete your dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to your degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. The estimated time needed to complete this program is 45 months.

Course Details

Course listings.

A PhD prepares you to make significant contributions to the body of literature within the education field. This course prepares you for understanding what theory is, recognizing theoretical frameworks within existing literature, connecting your research interests to existing theoretical frameworks, and justifying how your research will add to the wealth of current theories in the field.

Specialization Course 1

Your success as a scholarly professional will largely depend upon your communication skills, particularly in your written work. This course supports your development as a scholar who can publish in different types of research-based publications for a variety of audiences. You’ll practice synthesizing multiple sources, formulating arguments, and integrating feedback through iterative drafts of your work. These are key capabilities you’ll need as you submit your research in published manuscripts and presentations.

In this course, you’ll develop effective search and writing strategies to create a scholarly review of literature. The course emphasizes how to: (a) use effective literature search strategies; (b) develop a scholarly synthesis of research literature; (c) organize research literature around identified themes, including a study problem, purpose, and theoretical perspectives; and (d) focus on developing a scholarly exposition that reflects divergent viewpoints and contrasting perspectives. The overarching goal is for you to understand strategies for surveying scholarly literature that avoid bias, focus on educational, practice-based research problems, and address the requirements of a scholarly literature review.

Specialization Course 2

This course introduces you to the research process by exploring its underpinnings, examining its paradigms, and investigating the foundations of qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in educational studies. You’ll identify criteria for the development of quality research studies that are ethical, accurate, comprehensive, cohesive, and aligned. Specific course topics involve the ethics of conducting research; data collection and analysis techniques; and issues of feasibility, trustworthiness, validity, reliability, transferability, and rigor. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the concepts and skills associated with conducting theoretical and applied research.

Specialization Course 3

This course provides the foundational knowledge to become a critical consumer of statistical-based research and a skilled analyst of non-inferential quantitative data. Coursework focuses on understanding multivariate data, non-inferential and inferential statistical concepts, the conventions of quantitative data analysis, and interpretations and critical inferences in statistical results. You’ll use software applications to complete statistical computations and perform quantitative data analysis. The course culminates in a synthesis project to demonstrate your statistical skills and present your results using APA guidelines.

Specialization Course 4

Elective Course*

Specialization Course 5

A focus on qualitative research methodology and the designs and methods used to collect and analyze data in educational research. You’ll examine the principles of qualitative research and explore commonly used designs (also referred to as qualitative traditions or genres) with a focus on application and feasibility. Qualitative data collection and analysis methods will be examined for their suitability with regard to the research design selected. Alignment between qualitative designs and research methods, issues of trustworthiness, and the responsibilities of the qualitative researcher will also be explored.

Specialization Course 6

An exploration of quantitative research methodologies and associated designs and methods. You’ll examine paradigmatic perspectives along with the tenets and conventions of quantitative research. Topics for examination include feasibility, validity, reliability, variable operationalization, inferential designs, and analytic software applications used within the quantitative research paradigm. You’ll also look at the components of quantitative research designs that support meaningful studies within the field of education.

Select One of the Following Two Data Analysis Courses:

An exploration of advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research. This course provides an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analyses. You’ll use SPSS software to perform advanced computations as you build independent, scholarly statistical skills. Coursework will emphasize multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts; and the proper presentation of statistical results.

This course builds on a foundational understanding of qualitative designs and measurements to focus on analyses of the data. Coursework takes you deeper into the skills and techniques necessary to ensure the appropriate analyses of qualitative data, including integrating relevant frameworks, verifying trustworthiness of the findings, and selecting suitable methods for presenting analyses and findings.

The doctoral comprehensive assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate your preparation for entering the dissertation phase as a PhD candidate. You’ll synthesize discipline-specific content with research designs and analysis methods to create a prospectus for a theoretically-based research study that focuses on furthering knowledge in the field of education. Whereas EdD research focuses on addressing a researchable problem with practical applications, PhD research has a focus on contribution to theory and the broader discipline of education. This course is begun only after all your foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed, and your prospectus will likely become the foundation of your PhD dissertation. 

Students in this course will be required to complete chapter one of their dissertation proposal, including the following: a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study. A completed, committee-approved chapter one is required to pass the course. If you don’t receive approval to minimum standards, you’ll be able to take up to three supplementary eight-week courses to finalize and gain approval of chapter one.

In this course, you’ll work on completing chapters one to three of your dissertation proposal and receiving committee approval for the dissertation proposal (DP). Chapter two consists of the literature review, while chapter three covers the research methodology and design, including population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. Completed, committee-approved chapters two and three are required to pass the course, as is a final approved dissertation proposal. If you don’t receive approval to minimum standards, you’ll be able to take up to three supplementary eight-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

In this course, you’ll prepare, submit, and obtain approval of your Institutional Review Board (IRB) application. You’ll also collect data and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. If you’re still collecting data at the end of the 12-week course, you’ll be able to take up to three supplementary eight-week courses to complete data collection and file your IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course, you’ll work on completing chapters four, five, and your final dissertation manuscript. Specifically, you’ll complete your data analysis, prepare your study results, and present your findings with an oral defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, committee-approved dissertation manuscript and successful oral defense are required to complete the course and graduate. If you don’t receive approval for either or both, you can take up to three supplementary eight-week courses to finalize and gain approval.

* The elective can be satisfied with any doctoral-level School of Education course. The course listed in the degree plan can be changed upon request. Contact your academic and finance advisor for assistance.

Specialization Courses

SE-7100 Advanced Topics in Special Education

As the first course in this specialization, the focus here goes beyond individual students and classrooms to a programmatic level that includes entire schools or districts. Another focus includes educational equity, social justice, inclusion, and ethical nuances within the context of special education programs. You’ll also consider teacher retention and the implications of high-and-low-incidence disabilities on special education program planning and implementation. Throughout the course, you’ll cultivate communication skills, particularly around conflict management and collaboration.

SE-7200 Analyzing Data and Monitoring Student Progress

Here you’ll learn how to collect, analyze, interpret, and use individual and aggregated student data to monitor student progress and improve special education programs. You’ll also consider historical perspectives, different techniques, and coding systems for students who use a behavior plan. Throughout the course, you’ll prioritize considerations for equity, fairness, and bias in the collection, analysis, interpretation, and utilization of student data.

SE-7300 Leadership, Law, and Finance in Special Education

The areas of finance, law, and leadership are deep topics in special education. This course touches on each one at a higher level. You’ll explore the various funding models for special education programs and services, including legal considerations, service delivery models, and specific leadership scenarios and reporting obligations. Throughout the course, you’ll consider the role of leadership in cultivating culturally responsive relationships with all stakeholders to ensure equity and fairness.

SE-7400 Implementing Programs for Students with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities

This course focuses on implementation of special education programs at school and district levels for students with intellectual and specific learning disabilities (SLDs). You’ll investigate necessary support, service delivery models, and quality assurance approaches, and synthesize research for evidence-based practices, including strategies for promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice. While some of the concepts here will apply to other categories of disability, this course concentrates specifically on intellectual and specific learning disabilities.

SE-7500 Implementing Programs for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

This course focuses on implementation of special education programs at school and district levels for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. You’ll investigate necessary supports, service delivery models, and quality assurance approaches, and synthesize research for evidence-based practices, including strategies for promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice. While some of the concepts here apply to other categories of disability, this course uses the lens of emotional and behavioral disorders.

SE-7600 Advanced Capstone in Special Education

In this final course of the specialization, you’ll synthesize your work across all courses into a capstone project of your own design. This project will integrate theory and practice within a specific topic of your choosing related to special education programs at the school or district levels. As you prepare your project, you’ll evaluate the impacts of current trends, technologies, and issues of bias, fairness, and social justice. Your project will reflect not only your knowledge and skills in relation to the course learning outcomes, but also your overall preparedness to influence special education programs at the school or district levels.

Program Outcomes

The PhD in Education program prepares you for making significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the broad field of education as well as a more narrowed area of instructional specialization. Learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Develop deep knowledge of educational systems, theories, and research in an area of expertise
• Interpret theories, research, and ideas for different audiences through multiple methods of communication
• Integrate ethical principles and professional standards for a specific discipline within the field
• Conduct autonomous or collaborative research using high-level analytical skills
• Contribute to the body of knowledge specific to a discipline within the field

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Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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Ph.D. in Special Education

What you can earn, credits earned, time commitment, upcoming deadline, our graduates are leaders and change agents.

The Special Education Doctoral Program is more than a traditional Ph.D. It's a transformative journey designed to create special education leaders who bring systemic change to educational and community settings. With a strong focus on inclusive education, we will prepare you with the skills, knowledge and relationships needed to drive structural and systemic change.

You'll craft a tailored program of study, blending advanced coursework in special education with diverse perspectives from outside disciplines. Our apprenticeship-style model combines face-to-face learning with real-world experiences, ensuring you're ready for impactful roles in research, teaching and service.

• We are a community that values the range of strengths, interests, and career goals that lead one to pursue a Ph.D. in special education
• We approach our work with a spirit of inquiry and collaboration, leading to differentiated experiences with each student
• We view doctoral graduates as leaders and change agents, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and relationships for advancing structural change

Our faculty specialize in the following areas:

• Research methodologies in special education (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, single case design)
• Teacher education and ongoing professional learning of special educators
• Intersectional issues of and approaches to addressing educational (in)justice
• Early intervention and early childhood 
• Critical and disability studies perspectives on inclusive education 
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Literacy and reading instruction for individuals with disabilities
• Mathematics learning disabilities (dyscalculia)
• Positive behavior interventions and supports, social emotional learning, and multi-tiered systems of support
• Supporting learners with disabilities in inclusive settings  

What you'll learn

In our program, you'll delve deep into specialized topics within special education and master research traditions, explore the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the field and construct meaningful research designs. You'll gain expertise in addressing the critical issues that affect children/youth (birth-21) and their families: access, inclusion and equity

After graduation

Upon graduation, our Ph.D. alumni go on to shape the future of special education. Whether as faculty members, researchers or leaders in educational institutions, they drive innovation and advocate for equitable access. Our graduates impact communities locally, nationally and even internationally.

Let's connect

We're excited that you're interested in our program! By joining our mailing list, you can receive updates on info sessions, deadlines, financial aid and more!

Connect with us

For additional information or questions regarding the doctoral degree, please email [email protected] or Maggie Beneke, Program Director .

Our program is designed to be both flexible and comprehensive. While most students complete their Ph.D. in 4-5 years, we understand that each academic journey is unique. You'll work closely with advisors to tailor your program, focusing on areas of research specialization that align with your goals and interests.

Within the first year of study, each student enrolls in the Educational Inquiry series with other first-year doctoral students across the College of Education. This helps you learn more about research traditions in educational research.

Special education doctoral students also enroll in a seminar which supports your:

• Understanding of the historical and theoretical background of special education
• Writing of a literature review related to a topic of interest
• Constructing of a research design

Admission requirements and process

As one of the top-rated doctoral programs in the U.S., we have more applicants than we can admit. Please pay close attention to all admission requirements. We also strongly encourage you to contact individual faculty members whose work aligns with your interests. Finding a fit with an advisor is critical to the admissions process.

To meet the individualized needs of students and advisors, our acceptance rate may vary. We generally accept annual cohorts of roughly 5-8 students.

Application deadlines are usually in January of each year for incoming fall cohorts.

• A bachelor's degree is required for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program and the doctoral program
• Your degree can be in-process at the time of your application but must be completed before the program starts.
• Include one from each institution from which you've earned a degree and one from every institution you have attended in the previous 5 years.
• Your transcripts must include your name, coursework and degree (if completed)
• If you are offered admission, the UW Graduate School will request an official transcript from your most recent degree earned

The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or 3.0 for your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits). However, we review your application holistically. If your GPA is below 3.0, contact us at [email protected] for advice on how to strengthen your overall application by connecting with a Graduate Admissions Advisor.

During the online application process, you will be given instructions for adding your recommenders and getting their letters submitted electronically.

A current academic and professional resume or vita is required. In addition to educational degrees and professional experience, you should include a listing of all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements that will help us evaluate your application.

• 1-2 pages for M.Ed.
• 3-5 pages for Ph.D.

Admissions committees use your statement of purpose, along with other evidence, to determine whether your goals are well-matched with our programs. Your statement should address goals, relevant experience, future plans and how the desired specific program meets your needs. Be sure to include personal experiences that have prepared you for the challenge of graduate school, topics like:

• Scholarly interests
• Career goals
• Your match for the program
• Faculty interests

While optional, you can add to your application by submitting a personal history statement with each application. This statement should address your intellectual growth and development, inclusive of and beyond your academic goals. Speak to topics like:

• Educational, cultural and economic opportunities and disadvantages you've experienced
• Ways these experiences affected the development of your special interests, career plans and future goals.

Statements should be no longer than two pages long. And while there are no standard formatting requirements, we encourage double-spaced text with a legible font.

Doctoral candidates must submit one sample of scholarly writing (e.g., course papers, articles, essays). The sample should demonstrate how well you can analyze or synthesize and critically reflect on information. The writing sample must have been written by you alone.

If you have no appropriate examples of scholarly writing, we urge you to consider preparing a medium-length (10-12 page) critical essay review of a book that you feel is central to your interests in education. The writing sample will be uploaded in your online application. Faculty will only review one writing sample. 

• Gather all required documents
• Visit the Graduate School website
• Log into your account or create a new profile if you are a first-time applicant
• Complete all steps in application process and upload your documents
• You may request a fee waiver during the application process
• Submit your application

Here is our general timeline for decisions. Have questions about the process? Visit our graduate admissions page .

Step 1: Application processing

• Within 7 business days after the deadline, we will check if your application if fully complete
• We will email you whether your application is complete or incomplete
• If your application is missing anything, you will have a short amount of time submit these items
• You can also log into the online application and check your status and see any missing items

Step 2: Application review

• Committees begin reviewing applications about three weeks after the deadline
• You will receiving an email when your application has entered the review phase

Step 3: Decision notification

• The final decision will be emailed to you
• Your status will also be updated in the online application

We value and welcoming applications from international students! If you are applying from outside the United States, there are additional requirements and application materials.

• At minimum, you must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree (a four-year degree from an institution of recognized standing)
• The national system of education in the foreign country
• The type of institution
• The field of study and level of studies completed
• International transcripts must be submitted in the original language.
• Your transcript should include date of graduation and title of the awarded academic degree
• If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation
• You do not need to have your transcript evaluated for the degree by an agency

Per  UW Graduate School policy , you must submit a demonstration of English language proficiency if your native language is not English and you did not earn a degree in one of the following countries:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Trinidad and Tobago

The following tests are accepted if the test was taken fewer than two years ago:

• Minimum score: 80
• Recommended score: 92+
• The UW's 4-digit code is 4854
• University of Washington All Campuses, Organisation ID 365, Undergrad & Graduate Admis, Box 355850, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States of America
• Minimum score: 6.5
• Recommended score: 7.0+
• School information for submission: University of Washington, All Campuses Undergraduate & Graduate Admission Box 355850 Seattle, WA 98195
• Minimum score: 105
• Recommended score: 125+
• Follow the instructions on the Duolingo website to submit your scores

If apply and are offered admission to UW, you will need to submit a statement of financial ability.

Costs and funding

We are a tuition-based program. Estimated tuition rates are based on your residency: 

• Washington state residents: $19,584 per year
• Out-of-state students: $35,352 per year

Estimates are subject to change and may differ due to course load and summer quarter enrollment. Estimates include building fees, technology fees, U-Pass, etc. Additional program-specific fees are not included in this estimate.

View the UW tuition dashboard → Visit the Office of Planning & Budgeting →

Currently, nearly all students seeking funding are supported throughout their program. Our special education program and associated research centers strive to fund each student throughout their program. Funding is contingent upon various factors including levels of funding, student prior experience (e.g., practical experience as a former teacher or therapist), enrollment status as a full-time student, and student performance.

Graduate Student General Scholarships

Frequently asked questions.

Your primary consideration should be specialization and fit with a potential advisor based on your research interests and career goals. We strongly encourage you to review the faculties’ areas of specialization, read faculty bios, and contact individual faculty about your interests in pursuing a special education doctoral degree at UW.

There are a number of supports and affinity spaces for graduate students within and beyond the College of Education. These include (among others):

• Associated Students of the College of Education
• Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity
• Disability Resources for Students
• The D Center
• Indigenous Wellness Research Institute
• Intellectual House
• Latino Center for Health
• Native Organization of Indigenous Scholars
• Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion
• Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
• Washington Institute for the Study of Inequality and Race
• Women of Color Collective
• Women’s Center
• Writing Center

Seattle is a city of self-starters who believe that anything is possible when we work together. We’re adventurous and entrepreneurial, caffeinated and connected. This global hub for innovation is an international epicenter for turning ideas into actions, and the UW is at the heart of it. Whether you’re into art or food, history or tech, city living or the outdoors, there’s a community for you here.

We hold a virtual interview process for applicants with competitive applications. You are welcome to schedule a visit on your own - please let us know if you are planning to come! The College of Education also holds annual Admitted Student Day in the spring. Once applicants are admitted, advisors may apply for funds to support student visits. If you have been admitted and are interested in visiting, we encourage you to speak with your advisor about applying for student visit funds.

As one of the top-rated doctoral programs in the U.S., we have more applicants than we can admit. Please review admission requirements. Beyond the application requirements, finding a fit with an advisor or advisor(s) is critical to the admissions process. Again, we strongly encourage you to contact individual faculty members whose work aligns with your interests.

To meet the individualized needs of students and advisors, our acceptance rates vary. We generally accept annual cohorts of roughly 5-8 students.

Our application deadline is usually in January of each year for incoming autumn quarter cohort.

No. The doctoral program is designed for face-to-face coursework and experiences. Such an apprenticeship model is critical for doctoral preparation in the areas of research, teaching, and service. 

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Special Education go on to a range of careers locally, nationally, and internationally. Graduates go on to careers as faculty members, researchers, or leaders in school districts, state agencies, or educational businesses.

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Top 20 PhD Programs in Special Education

Reviewed by Mary McLaughlin, Special Education Teacher; M.S. SpEd

Heading to graduate school for a Doctor of Philosophy is an option worth considering for special educators seeking career advancement. The PhD in Special Education is a terminal degree that provides the highest level of research-based methods for studying and developing new pedagogical tools that improve outcomes for exceptional children. Many PhD graduates enter faculty positions in higher education to teach tomorrow’s teachers. The BLS predicts faster-than-average job growth in academia at 13 percent through 2024. University-level education professors report a mean annual wage of $70,260. Education PhD holders could also become special education directors, school principals , curriculum developers, superintendents, and childcare administrators.

Therefore, we’ve constructed the following list of the Top 20 Ph.D. Special Education Programs in the United States. We consulted with the U.S. News and World Report rankings to narrow down the best campus-based colleges for graduate teaching degrees. We visited the website for each high-ranking school to find Ph.D. programs, which are more scientific and lab-oriented than Ed.D. degrees. Our ranking favored programs offering several degree specializations. Special priority was given to teacher programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or similar entities. Other conditions considered were doctoral tuition support, graduate assistantships, student-faculty ratio, admission selectivity, academic rigor, and dissertation opportunities.

1. University of Wisconsin – Madison

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As a “Public Ivy,” land-grant institution with RU/VH status, the University of Wisconsin-Madison stands upon 936 urban acres along Lake Monona to educate over 13,800 post-graduates. The U.S. News applauded UW-Madison for the third best graduate education school nationally. Within the NCATE-accredited School of Education, advanced cohorts of four to eight students pursue the 56-credit Special Education Ph.D. program yearly. Over $50 million in extramural funding supports dissertations in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER).

Doctoral Tuition: $791 (in-state) or $1,623 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison here.

2. Columbia University

Endowed for $9.04 billion, Columbia University is a private, Ivy League AAU member founded in 1754 before the Declaration of Independence that’s now enrolling around 19,500 post-grads on 299 urban acres in Upper Manhattan. The U.S. News ranked Columbia’s Teachers College seventh nationally for best graduate education. Special educators have several doctoral options, including a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Ph.D. in Intellectual Disability/Autism & Severe/Multiple Disabilities, or Ph.D. in Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with CAEP approval.

Doctoral Tuition: $9,072 (half-time) or $18,144 (full-time) per semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Columbia University here.

3. Vanderbilt University

Attracting 5,800 post-grads from 90 foreign countries, Vanderbilt University is a private, nonprofit RU/VH institution in the 568 Group that’s located on a 330-acre urban campus in Middle Tennessee near midtown Nashville. According to the U.S. News, the Peabody College is tied for America’s seventh best graduate education school. The NCATE-accredited Ph.D. in Special Education provides four tracks: Early Childhood, High Incidence, Severe Disabilities, and Visual Impairments. Doctoral candidates also contribute to Vanderbilt’s premier Kennedy Center Research on Human Development.

Doctoral Tuition: $1,854 per credit hour

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Vanderbilt University here.

4. University of Washington

Affiliated with seven Nobel Prize laureates, the University of Washington is a public, land-grant APRU institution in the Pac-12 Conference that’s endowed for $2.9 billion and serving over 14,600 post-grad Huskies from 703 acres in Seattle. The U.S. News placed the UW College of Education ninth nationally for graduate teaching programs. Offering tuition waivers and $1,700 monthly stipends, the Ph.D. in Special Education degree has three specializations: High- and Low-Incidence Disabilities, Secondary Education, and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Doctoral Tuition: $5,992 (in-state) or $10,404 (out-of-state) per quarter

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Washington here.

5. University of Texas at Austin

Led by president Gregory L. Fenves, the University of Texas at Austin occupies 434 urban acres as a flagship public, space-grant RU/VH institution with 11,350 post-graduates. UT-Austin has America’s 11th best graduate education according to the USNWR. Linked to the Texas Center for Disability Studies, the Ph.D. in Special Education program lets Longhorns choose from four concentrations: Autism & Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Learning Disabilities & Behavioral Disorders, or Multicultural Special Education.

Doctoral Tuition: $5,062 (in-state) or $9,232 (out-of-state) each semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin here.

6. New York University

New York University is a private, nonprofit RU/VH institution with an $8.04 billion budget to educate over 24,300 post-grad Violets from a 230-acre urban campus in Greenwich Village. Founded in 1890, NYU’s Steinhardt School was ranked 13th nationally for best graduate education by the U.S. News. Holding CAEP accreditation, the 60-credit Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning program offers a Special Education emphasis. Students work with poverty-impacted children at 25 partnering schools in East Harlem and South Bronx.

Doctoral Tuition: $10,390 (half-time) or $20,368 (full-time) per year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at New York University here.

7. University of Oregon

Boasting over 195,000 living alumni, including Columbia’s President Lee Bollinger, the University of Oregon is a flagship public, Pac-12 RU/VH institution endowed for $758 million on a 295-acre urban campus in Eugene along the Willamette. The U.S. News ranked the UO College of Education 14th nationally. Linked with the award-winning Pearl Duck Autism Center, the Ph.D. in Special Education offers five emphases in Positive Behavior Support, Low-Incidence Disabilities, Early Intervention, Prevention & Academic Intervention, and Secondary/Transition Services.

Doctoral Tuition: $16,602 (in-state) or $27,591 (out-of-state) each year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Oregon here.

8. University of Kansas

Chartered in 1864 after “Bleeding Kansas” ended, the University of Kansas is a flagship public, land-grant AAU member with a $1.86 billion endowment and 28,100 Jayhawks enrolled on its spacious 1,100-acre urban campus on Mount Oread. Kansas placed 17th for best graduate education school according to the U.S. News. Taking a scientific-practitioner model, the Ph.D. in Special Education maintains CAEP accreditation for six specializations, such as Early Childhood Unified, Instruction Design and Technology, and Special Education Policy.

Doctoral Tuition: $402 (in-state) or $909 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Kansas here.

9. Ohio State University

Reporting $652 million in research expenditures, Ohio State University is a public, sea-grant RU/VH institution contributing to the Big Ten Academic Alliance with over 13,500 post-grad Buckeyes studying on its 1,765-acre headquarters in Columbus. The U.S. News ranked the NCATE-accredited College of Education and Human Ecology 18th nationwide. In Ramseyer Hall, students begin the 63-credit Ph.D. in Educational Studies, Special Education program every Autumn with self-designed specializations like Applied Behavior Analysis or Urban Issues in Special Education.

Doctoral Tuition: $12,888 (in-state) or $33,334 (out-of-state) each year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Ohio State University here.

10. University of California – Berkeley

Created under the Dwinelle Bill of 1868, the University of California-Berkeley is a public, land-grant IARU member noted for the Free Speech Movement that’s teaching 10,800 post-grad Golden Bears across its 1,232 urban acres in Alameda County. The Berkeley Graduate School of Education was tied for 18th nationally by the U.S. News. Partnering with San Francisco State University, the Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education offers a Ph.D. and access to the UC SPEDDR Center for Research.

Doctoral Tuition: $11,220 (in-state) or $26,322 (out-of-state) per year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of California – Berkeley here.

11. University of Virginia

Since becoming the South’s first AAU member in 1904, the University of Virginia has grown its $5.85 billion endowment as a flagship public, land-grant RU/VH institution to engage over 6,500 post-grad Cavaliers upon its 1,682-acre historic campus in Charlottesville. UVA’s Curry School of Education holds CAEP accreditation as the 18th best teacher educator nationwide according to the U.S. News. Advanced cohorts can enter the 72-credit Ph.D. in Special Education program specialized in High-Incidence Disabilities or Gifted/Talented Education.

Doctoral Tuition: $15,224 (in-state) or $25,174 (out-of-state) per year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Virginia here.

12. Michigan State University

Split into 17 colleges with 11,400 post-grad Spartans total, Michigan State University is a public, land-grant and sea-grant RU/VH powerhouse with a $2.25 billion endowment that occupies 5,200 acres on the Red Cedar River in East Lansing. The U.S. News applauded MSU for America’s 21st best graduate education degrees. Within the CAEP-accredited College of Education, there’s a 67-credit Special Education Ph.D. program available. Doctoral students conduct dissertations in state-of-the-art labs like the Research on Teaching and Learning Institute.

Doctoral Tuition: $698 (in-state) or $1,372 (out-of-state) per credit

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Michigan State University here.

13. University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Sitting atop a 2,730-acre urban campus in Minneapolis-St. Paul overlooking the Mississippi River, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, land-grant and space-grant BTAA member with nearly 15,900 post-grad Golden Gophers enrolled. Minnesota’s CAEP-accredited College of Education & Human Development is ranked 21st nationally by the U.S. News. Teachers could earn the 69-credit Special Education Ph.D. degree on-campus. Several are recruited for the National Center for Leadership in Intensive Intervention (NCLii) Fellowships.

Doctoral Tuition: $8,120 (in-state) or $12,560 (out-of-state) per semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities here.

14. University of Illinois – Chicago

Easily accessed from the UIC-Halsted Blue Line, the University of Illinois-Chicago is a public, state-funded GCU Coalition member that will “Teach, Research, Serve” with 11,400 post-grad Flames yearly from 244 urban acres on Chicago’s Near West Side. Illinois was ranked 24th for best graduate education by the U.S. News. Adhering to NCATE standards, the 96-hour Ph.D. in Special Education offers practice in the UIC Educational Assessment Clinic and research in the Center for Urban Education Leadership.

Doctoral Tuition: $5,740 (in-state) or $11,860 (out-of-state) each semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Illinois – Chicago here.

15. Utah State University

Established in 1888 from Anthon H. Lund’s vision, Utah State University is a public, land-grant and space-grant RU/VH institution drawing over 3,900 post-grad Aggies from the “Beehive State” and beyond to its 400-acre suburban campus in Logan. According to the U.S. News, USU’s Emma Eccles Jones College is the 26th best graduate education school. Special educators could pursue the 70-credit Disability Disciplines Doctoral Program for seven Ph.D. specializations, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Special Education.

Doctoral Tuition: $3,138 (in-state) or $9,793 (out-of-state) per term

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Utah State University here.

16. University of Connecticut

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Connecticut here.

Belonging to Universitas 21 Global with Ohio State, the University of Connecticut is a public, land-grant, space-grant RU/VH hub located on 4,400 rural acres in Storrs to educate 8,300 post-grad Huskies in New England’s Knowledge Corridor. The NCATE-accredited Neag School of Education has America’s 27th best graduate degrees according to the U.S. News. Full-time students could earn full-tuition coverage for the Ph.D. in Special Education tracks for Literacy Supports, Positive Behavior Supports, Postsecondary Transition, or Early Childhood.

Doctoral Tuition: $7,998 (in-state) or $18,516 (out-of-state) each semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Connecticut University here.

17. University of Pittsburgh

Positioned on 132 urban acres in Western Pennsylvania’s Schenley Farms Historic District, the University of Pittsburgh is a public, land-grant RU/VH center tracing back to 1787 that’s endowed for $3.52 billion and educating 9,800 post-grad Panthers. The NCATE-accredited School of Education is tied for 27th place according to the U.S. News. Special educators have three doctoral options: the Ph.D. in Early Intervention, Ph.D. in Education of Students with Mental & Physical Disabilities, or Ph.D. in Vision Studies.

Doctoral Tuition: $21,260 (in-state) or $34,944 (out-of-state) per year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Pittsburgh here.

18. University of Florida

Continuously operating in Gainesville since 1906, the University of Florida is a public, land-grant and sea-grant RU/VH superpower with a $1.46 billion endowment and more than 16,200 post-grad Gators gobbling knowledge on its 2,000-acre suburban campus. The U.S. News ranked UF 29th for best graduate education programs. With NCATE accreditation, the 90-hour Ph.D. in Special Education gives research-oriented training in cutting-edge institutes like the CEEDAR Center. Doctoral candidates could add the Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia or Disabilities in Society.

Doctoral Tuition: $12,740 (in-state) or $30,134 (out-of-state) per year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of Florida here.

19. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Under Chancellor Carol Folt’s leadership, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill educates more than 10,600 post-grad Tar Heels as a public, land-grant SURA member with a $2.89 billion endowment and sprawling 729-acre urban campus near Raleigh. The CAEP-accredited School of Education stood out for America’s 31st best graduate degrees on the U.S. News survey. The 64-credit Ph.D. in Education program offers an Applied Developmental Sciences and Special Education track with emphases like Autism and Early Childhood.

Doctoral Tuition: $11,940 (in-state) or $29,150 (out-of-state) each year

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill here.

20. Indiana University – Bloomington

Occupying a 1,937-acre urban campus atop Salem Limestone near Giffy Lake Nature Preserve, Indiana University-Bloomington is a public, land-grant URA research institution endowed for $1.98 billion that’s training 10,150 post-grad Hoosiers. According to the U.S. News, the NCATE-accredited W.W. Wright School of Education has the 32nd best graduate teaching degrees. Admitting each January, the Ph.D. in Special Education program grants seven unique specializations, such as Family Supportive Practices, Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders Intervention.

Doctoral Tuition: $4,002 (in-state) or $12,161 (out-of-state) per semester

Learn more about the Top PhD Programs in Special Education at Indiana University – Bloomington here.

All schools shown here have been contacted and informed of their inclusion on this list. Schools that do not wish to be featured are immediately removed. School names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any trade name or trademark does not imply any association with the school.

Become a Special Education Teacher

Intellectual Disability Autism PhD

Ph.D. in Special Education: Intellectual Disability/Autism

Intellectual Disability/Autism is one of the focus areas that may be selected by applicants to either the Ed.D. or the Ph.D. programs in the Applied Sciences of Learning and Special Education. 

The doctoral programs in Intellectual Disability/Autism are research-intensive programs designed to prepare graduates for a variety of academic and professional roles in the field of developmental disabilities. Given our programs’ strong research emphasis, all doctoral students will take rigorous statistics and research methods coursework. We practice a research-apprenticeship model of student mentorship and training. As part of this training, all doctoral students will engage in research activities as part of faculty members' research teams, where they will gain experience with all aspects of the research process: data collection in schools and/or research labs, data management, observational coding, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.  Past doctoral students have oriented their preparation towards careers as college and university professors, researchers, program directors, or curriculum and instructional evaluators.

Successful doctoral candidates will pass a doctoral certification examination in the Applied Sciences of Learning and Special Education and will complete a doctoral certification project in their area of specialization. Upon achieving official status as a doctoral candidate, students will be eligible to select a faculty committee and begin work on their doctoral dissertation research. 

• Requirements

Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.

• Points/Credits:

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

Requirements from the tc catalog (ay 2023-2024).

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

Research and Evaluation Emphasis:

Students with excellent potential as researchers and theoreticians who are interested in scholarly careers in special education, education, and related social sciences may apply for the Ph.D. degree program, which represents the highest level of achievement in the Arts and Sciences. This degree program is administered jointly by Teachers College and the graduate faculty of Columbia University. Prospective students may obtain information on program offerings by contacting the program office.

Intellectual Disability/Autism is one of the exceptionality focus areas that may be selected by applicants to the Ph.D. Programs in Special Education. Individuals who are interested in careers as researchers and scholars in the field of developmental disabilities or special education, inclusive education, and related social sciences may apply for the Ph.D. degree program (84 credits).

The doctoral program in Intellectual Disability/Autism is a research-intensive program designed to prepare graduates for a variety of academic and professional roles in the field of developmental disabilities. Given our program’s strong research emphasis, all doctoral students will take rigorous statistics and research methods coursework. In addition, we practice a research-apprenticeship model of student mentorship and training, thus all students will engage in research activities with faculty members. Doctoral students may orient their preparation towards careers as college and university professors, researchers, program directors, or curriculum and instructional evaluators.

Successful doctoral candidates will pass a doctoral certification examination in general special education, and will complete a doctoral certification project in their area of specialization. Upon achieving official status as a doctoral candidate, students will be eligible to select a faculty advisory committee and begin work on their doctoral dissertation research.

Procedures for admission to the Ph.D. program in Special Education in the Department of Health Studies & Applied Educational Psychology at Teachers College are administered jointly by the Office of Admission and the Department. Applicants are evaluated according to the following criteria:

Strong academic record and potential,

GRE scores,

Two to three years of successful teaching experience in special education and/or evidence of strong applied or basic research experience in a related field (e.g., empirical Master’s thesis, conference presentations, and/or peer- reviewed publications),

Scholarly and professional promise,

Appropriate fit with faculty research,

Appropriate career objectives,

English proficiency (TOEFL score of at least 600), if applicable,

Non-academic attributes that demonstrate ability to meet the challenges of working with people with developmental disabilities and conducting research with this population,

Academic or professional writing sample.

Course requirements in each of the following categories must be satisfied in order to complete the 84-credit Ph.D. program:

Master’s-level courses in Intellectual Disability/Autism (30 credits total)

Core Coursework in Special Education (24)

HBSE 5010 Study of the philosophic foundations of special education (3)

HBSE 6010 Advanced study of problems and issues in special education (3)

HBSE 5901 Problems in special education – Intellectual Disability/Autism (3)

HBSE 6501-I Advanced seminar in Intellectual Disability/Autism (3)

HBSE 6501-II Advanced seminar in Intellectual Disability/Autism or seminar in Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Seminar in School Psychology (3)

HBSE 6001 Research in special education: Group Design (3)

HBSE 6005 or HBSE 6031 Research in special education: Single Case Design (3)

HBSE 7500 Dissertation seminar (3)

Coursework in Statistics and Research Methodology (15)

HUDM 4122 Probability & statistical inference (3)

HUDM 5122 Applied regression analysis (3)

HUDM 5123 Linear models and experimental design (3)

Advanced statistics, research methods, evaluation, or measurement course (3)

Specialization Electives (15)

Elective coursework (15)

Areas of specialization include:

Health, Neuroscience, Movement, or Communication Sciences Developmental, Counseling, or School Psychology, Educational Policy or Organization & Leadership, Diversity & Multicultural Studies Research Methodology

• View Other Degrees

Program Director : Laudan B. Jahromi, Ph.D.

Teachers College, Columbia University 528 West 121st St., 5th Floor

Phone: 212-678-3880 Fax: 212-678-8259

Email: Erica Schenk (es3747@tc.columbia.edu)

Connect with Pitt Education

PhD in Special Education

Receive advanced training in special education to support health and well-being in all learners.

The PhD in Special Education will prepare you to assume academic faculty positions at the university level. The program is geared toward improving the educational and related service programs for children and youth with disabilities.

PhD candidates are mentored by a faculty adviser who shares their research interests and are supported by graduate faculty in Special Education.

Students may focus their studies in one or more of the following areas:

• Applied behavior analysis
• Emotional and behavior disorders
• Learning disabilities or severe disabilities
• Visual impairment and blindness

Request Info

View Tuition

Program Facts

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Time Commitment

4 years on average

Enrollment Term

Application Deadline

Admissions Requirements

No GRE Exam is required

Program Overview

Multiple Specializations

• Learning disabilities
• Severe disabilities

Mentoring Support

Special education PhD students will be mentored by Special Education faculty who will support them throughout their academic career. Students will have many opportunities to collaborate within and between programs to pursue special education topics of interest. Each student will have mentored opportunities to demonstrate all of the skills required by university level faculty which include: synthesizing current literature, submitting peer-reviewed manuscripts and grants, reviewing submissions for publication, teaching university level classes, conceiving and conducting research projects in authentic environments, and presenting at national conferences.

Comprehensive Preparation

As a PhD student, you will teach graduate and undergraduate courses, mentor graduate students, developing a research agenda that will result in funded and published research, and translating research outcomes for the improvement of educational and related service programs for children and youth with disabilities.

The PhD program is writing and research-intensive and PhD candidates will have multiple opportunities to learn and participate in the review of research literature, the preparation and submission of research grant proposals, the design and implementation of research studies, and the preparation and dissemination of research reports.

Students will complete a series of formal milestones to prepare then as a special education faculty member. The milestones will allow students to engage in academic writing, proposing and conducting research, and defending their work in an academic forum. In addition, students will be mentored through teaching university level classes and other faculty roles and responsibilities.

• Special Education Coursework: 24 credits
• Cognate courses: 0-18 credits either taken or transferred from outside the School of Education
• Required research methodology courses: 15 credits
• Supervised Research/teaching practicum: 6 credits
• First-Year School-wide seminars: 3 credits
• Writing workshops: 6-8 credits
• Electives: Variable credits
• Dissertation: 18 credits

View Program Curriculum

Prerequisites

• Master’s degree in a Special Education related area
• 3 years teaching children with disabilities or similar experience
• Additional PhD Admissions requirements

Take the Next Step

"Pitt has consistently made available a wide range of supports to help me advance academically and professionally. This allowed me to create my unique research identity and explore career possibilities that otherwise I would not have known about." Haya Abdellatif - Pitt alumni

Career Pathways

• University faculty (research and/or teaching)
• School administration
• Leadership in not-for-profit organizations

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Douglas E. Kostewicz

Rachel E. Robertson

Tessa McCarthy

Phillandra Smith

Program News

PhD Alumna MiIsha Reid Receives 2023 CEC Dissertation Award

PhD Alumna MiIsha Reid Receives 2023 CEC Dissertation Award - Read more

PhD Student Dylan Kapit Receives LGBTQIA+ Research and Outreach Funding

PhD Student Dylan Kapit Receives LGBTQIA+ Research and Outreach Funding - Read more

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PhD in Educational Studies, Special Education

As a doctoral student in special education you will use research to help improve the lives of children, youth and adults with disabilities as you prepare to become a leader in the field. The full-time PhD program in special education at The Ohio State University is designed to prepare leaders in research, teaching and service. In our accreditated program, you will develop competencies in conducting applied research, writing for publication, advanced applied behavior analysis, college teaching and service to the profession and community.

Specializations

In consultation with their faculty advisor, students will identify an area of specialization.  Examples of specialization include, but are not limited to, applied behavior analysis, intellectual and developmental disabilities, d/Deaf and hard of hearing, high-incidence disabilities, and gifted education.

ABAI Accredited PhD Program Information

Frequently Asked Questions

The PhD program in Special Education is designed to prepare leaders in research, teaching and service for faculty positions in colleges and universities and for other positions in behavioral clinics or agencies in the communities. In our accredited program, you will develop competencies in conducting research, writing for scholarly publications, using advanced applied behavior analysis and college/university teaching. Doctoral students will obtain a range of expertise in research paradigms and use this knowledge to help improve the educational and social lives of children, youth and adults with disabilities in societies. Our committed faculty will work closely with candidates to prepare them for their future professional careers.

How is instruction delivered?

In general, the instructional delivery mode is in-person or face-to-face. There are a few online distance education courses. Students may enroll in individual study credits with their advisors to work on research projects or to prepare for candidacy exams. All students need to complete a dissertation under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Dissertation credits entail individualized meetings between students and advisors.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

The program admits full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can complete the program in 3 ½ to 4 years. The completion time for part-time students varies, however, part-time students should enroll in a minimum of 3 credits per semester. After a successful candidacy exam, all students enroll in a maximum of 3 credits until the completion of the dissertation. There is a required minimum of 6 dissertation credits.

Will I get a job?

Not only is there a teacher shortage in K-12 school settings, but also, there is a need for faculty in higher education settings and even in agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. Graduates should be able to secure a position in comprehensive research institutions (R1), universities with teacher-preparation programs and governmental and service agencies.

What experiences outside the OSU classroom can I expect to have?

All doctoral students are expected to deliver presentations at refereed professional organizational meetings and conferences. Students may have the option of working alongside with faculty on faculty’s research projects, providing them with experience in designing and conducting investigations. Students may also collect data on children and adolescents with disabilities in the schools for their own research projects, including dissertations. Individuals with Graduate Teaching Associateships may supervise undergraduate students in pre-student teaching and student teaching endeavors. There may also be opportunities to teach class sessions or an entire undergraduate course. Students are strongly encouraged to join the student chapters of professional organizations associated with their specialty area (e.g., Association for Behavior Analysis International, Association of College Educators—Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Council of Exceptional Children, International Dyslexia Association, and The Association for Gifted Children).

How will my own interests be addressed?

The SPED doctoral program is flexible to accommodate a range of interests. Students are typically matched with faculty advisors, who have similar or related research interests. Students and advisors work together to develop a program plan that fits the future professional goals of the students. Individuals can decide on a research topic and the manner in which the topic can be investigated (i.e., questions, methodology, research design, etc.).

Who teaches the courses I will take?

SPED doctoral courses are taught by SPED faculty with expertise in the various content areas such as behavioral strategies, inclusion and diversity, instructional methods, language and literacy development, paraprofessional training, research paradigms, transition and more. SPED faculty have also conducted research in their instructional areas, making it easy for students to see the connections between research and evidence-based practices. Students are also required to take department-wide and research courses taught by non-SPED faculty to foster a general community of scholars and to understand and appreciate the diversity of instructional and research perspectives.

What student-centered activities can I join?

There are a number of clubs, organizations, and related gatherings at Ohio State for graduate students. Find your niche at the OSU student organization site .

Is there any financial support for me?

The College offers scholarships for newly-admitted and continuing graduate students, who have qualified credentials and a financial need. Several of these scholarships are geared toward individuals in special education programs. There may be graduate associateship positions (Graduate Teaching Associateship or Graduate Research Associateships) available at the Department or Program level. Individuals should apply for these funding opportunities, which are made public during the admission process.

The SPED faculty is a dedicated group, who desire to facilitate the development of competent  scholars, are exposed to and acquire evidence-based practices and critical-thinking skills. Members of the SPED faculty have received several national and international awards and are actively engaged in on-going research and scholarship. The faculty is accessible and committed to contribute to the professional development of students, enabling them to achieve their future professional goals.

Career Paths 

Funding Options 

Key to teaching, research and learning in the college, associateships provide students with professional experience and financial support.

These financial awards are made by Ohio State to students based on academic merit through a university-wide competition.

The college annually awards scholarships to its students to support their academic goals.

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

Master's degree

Minimum Program hours

Deadline to apply

December 1 

Program start

Autumn Semester 

View Special Education (EDUCST-PH, SPE) Curriculum Sheet

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Special Education, Ph.D.

• Admissions & Financial Aid
• Requirements

The doctoral degree in special education examines critical issues in special and inclusive education, and prepares our graduates to become advocates and change agents for full inclusion in policy and academic settings.

Full tuition scholarships, competitive stipends, and tailored mentoring and cohort experiences available for Special Education Ph.D. applicants through Project IMMERSE .

This program invites expansive thinking on critical educational issues as well as in-depth study. You will select a concentration in either Inclusive Educational Studies or Disability Studies and Policy, and then work with faculty to engage in cutting edge research in inclusive education and policy. Opportunities are available for conducting in-service seminars and collaborating with faculty members in research, teaching, and grant writing.

Application Deadline: January 15 | More admissions information

Syracuse University has a long tradition of leadership in the field of special education and is recognized nationally and internationally. Syracuse was among the first universities to bring attention to the educational needs of students with disabilities and to effectively develop and refine assessment and educational strategies for diverse learners. Syracuse faculty and students continue this important legacy of promoting the rights of students with disabilities.

Expertise in teaching and instruction is also developed with the department and with participation in the Future Professoriate Program . This includes orientations, year-round services for teaching assistants, and opportunities to co-teach with fellow doctoral students and department faculty, guest lecture, and independent instruction.

Our graduates hold prestigious leadership positions in special education and related fields, including careers in higher education, as researchers, government/policy specialists, public and private agency/organization directors, program developers, or as special education consultants and advocates. The majority of our graduates secure tenure track faculty positions at colleges and universities.

I chose to pursue my Ph.D. in special education at Syracuse because as I was working in schools around the country, I saw a real lack of understanding from teachers of what research and best practice say regarding inclusive education of disabled students-particularly students with intellectual disabilities. This led me to develop a passion for teacher preparation and ensuring all teachers are prepared to educate ALL students. Post Ph.D. I plan to become a teacher preparation program professor where I can continue researching and supporting undergraduate pre-service teachers to become truly inclusive educators.

Recent student dissertations include:

• Struggles of Korean Americans Labeled with Intellectual Disabilities to Claim Adult Status , Eun Young Jung
• Opening the Doors: A Collaborative and Digital Exploration of Inclusive Secondary Classrooms , Kate MacLeod
• Inclusive Education in Practice: District-Level Special Education Administrators’ Leadership , Chelsea Tracy-Bronson
• The Tensions of Northern Imports: Disability and Inclusion in Kenyan Primary Education , Brent Elder
• Blazing Trails, Being Us: A Narrative Inquiry with Five High School Students with Autism who Type to Communicate , Casey Woodfield
• Implementation of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports in the Neoliberal Context in an Urban Elementary School , D.L. Adams
• Trying Times: Disability, Activism, and Education in Samoa, 1970-1980 , Juliann Anesi

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Doctorate in Special Education

Lead the way in creating an equitable and inclusive education system.

Break barriers and reform special education by gaining cross-disciplinary expertise in our doctoral (EdD) program. The program is designed to support the development of researchers, educators, and scholar leaders as they acquire knowledge in the fields of cognitive psychology and the developmental sciences in an effort to meaningfully translate that knowledge to the most pressing issues in special education today.

As a doctoral student in our program, you'll collaborate with faculty in a variety of areas, including early childhood education, elementary, secondary and transition to post-secondary education, and working with culturally and linguistically diverse learners with exceptionalities. We also focus on students with various disabilities, such as emotional and behavioral challenges.

We're looking for students who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and families, and who are eager to work with transdisciplinary partners to advance research in this field.

Request Information    

How to Apply    

Upcoming Info Sessions    

Transform Knowledge into Action Our program infuses cutting-edge theoretical lenses in the field of SEDS to translate and apply research related to learning for diverse populations, developing scholar leaders who are changing the landscape in academic and community settings.

Collaborative Research Students have a unique opportunity to work alongside SEDS faculty, who are nationally recognized researchers in the field, on funded research projects, resulting in a wide range of experiential learning outcomes, such as presenting at conferences and co-authoring research publications.

Convenient Schedule Courses are scheduled once a week in late afternoons and evenings (Monday-Thursday) to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, and for internship experiences.

The GW Advantage

Benefit from our unique location in the heart of our nation’s capital. With close proximity and connections to government and private organizations, along with the area's diverse school settings, our students have access to opportunities to truly affect systems change in special education policy, research, and practice. Our diverse community allows students to explore and investigate the most pressing issues in the education and development of students identified with disabilities, as well as support a more inclusive and equitable world.

Jump to Section:   Curriculum   |  Admissions   |  Fees & Aid   |  Careers   |  Faculty   |  Events   |  Request Info

 Program at a Glance

Doctor of Education (EdD) in the Field of Special Education

Department:

Special Education & Disability Studies

Course Delivery:

Main Campus

Program Entry:

The mission of the doctoral program in the Department of Special Education and Disability Studies Department (SEDS) is to prepare scholars and leaders who can translate and determine the appropriate application of research at the school, local, and federal levels for people with disabilities. In other words, scholars draw from findings in developmental science, disability studies, and intervention research practices to develop and implement equitable, inclusive practices for students and adults with disabilities. Our mission is to prepare doctoral candidates for leadership roles in special education and related fields with a strong foundation in developmental science and strength-based, inclusive pedagogy.

• Guide to Applying
• Admission Requirements
• Application Deadlines

GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information. Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD > To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at [email protected] or 202-994-9283.

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.

Prerequisite: Master's Degree

• Statement of Purpose
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (must be academic)

Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants .

View more details about requirements  

Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2024. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.

For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at [email protected] or 202-994-9283.

 Tuition & Financial Aid

• Tuition Overview

We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.

Learn more about scholarships, grants & financial aid    

Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.

The tuition rate* for the EdD in Special Education program is $1,905 per credit hour .

This program requires 54 credits .

Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

*Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

View the current fee chart    

Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >

My master’s led to policy work, a doctorate, and the decision to focus my skills, energy, and commitment on co-founding a middle school with a GSEHD colleague. In a Title I setting, we have designed and are delivering the best, comprehensive education model for students. Our project based, small group learning builds problem solving skills, a strong sense of community, and confidence. We draw no lines - all of our students - general and special education alike - learn to advocate for themselves.

ELIZABETH SHOOK-TORRES Co-Founder, Washington Global Public Charter School EdD in Higher Education Administration

 Career Outlook

Graduates are prepared to have an impact through leadership in academic settings, research communities, policy institutions, and advocacy organizations. You will become a leader, innovator, and change agent in the field of special education.

Our graduates serve as:

• Academic Faculty
• Research Scientists
• Senior-level Policy Analyst
• Special Education Program Directors/Coordinators

• Universities or Colleges
• PreK-12 Educational Settings
• Policy Think Tanks
• Research Organizations, Centers, and Institutes

Special Education (EdD) Faculty

Associate Dean for Research and External Relations; Director of Accreditation; Professor, Special Education and Disability Studies

Assistant Professor, Special Education and Disability Studies

Associate Professor, Special Education and Disability Studies

Department Chair and Associate Professor, Special Education and Disability Studies

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Special Education Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Special Education is an academic degree designed to prepare special educators for leadership roles in research and graduate education. We provide doctoral candidates with the critical skills needed to be successful in higher education. Like most doctoral programs, our program requires coursework that provides knowledge about the field of special education, about theoretical models, and about research and statistical methods. Unlike most traditional doctoral programs, the Penn State program does not presume that day-to-day professional skills are learned incidentally during doctoral study or the first years on the job. Instead, the faculty provides models, mentoring, shaping, and response opportunities to help you acquire and practice the professional skills expected of professionals in the settings encountered subsequent to graduation. Our students learn by doing.

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. All applicants are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher from prior coursework. All applicants are expected to have a minimum of three years professional experience working with individuals with disabilities.

The process of applying for graduate admission at Penn State requires the following application materials, all of which are submitted via  The Graduate School's online application .  

Graduate Application and application fee – Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your online application.

Résumé or curriculum vitae

Personal statement – A one to two page statement addressing your purpose and objectives in enrolling in a graduate program in Special Education.

Transcripts – A copy of an official transcript from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. Upon admission and your acceptance of admission, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

Three references – Reference forms will be uploaded directly to the Graduate School application by the reference writer who will receive an email from the Graduate School after the applicant enters reference contact information into the application.

GRE Scores (PSU Institution Code: 2660) – Suspended for 2023-24 application cycle.   Official test results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted electronically by ETS directly to Graduate Enrollment Services at Penn State.  Advanced subject results are optional. The  GRE website  provides information about testing centers and dates.   To insure that the scores will reach us in time for consideration of your application, please schedule your exam no later than two (2) months in advance of the semester deadline. Test scores that are more than five (5) years old will not be accepted.

Proof of English Proficiency (PSU Institution Code: 2660) –  The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions. For detailed information please visit the Graduate School's  Requirements for Graduate Admissions  page.  Applicants should request that TOEFL scores be sent to Penn State electronically. Applicants should request that IELTS scores be mailed directly to Penn State's Graduate School at the following address: The Pennsylvania State University Graduate Enrollment Services 114 Kern Building University Park, PA 16802

How To Apply  

Create a Penn State account or log into your existing account.

Choose “DEGREE ADMISSION” as your enrollment type.

Choose "UNIVERSITY PARK" as your campus.

Choose “SPECIAL EDUCATION” as your major.

Choose “PH D” as your degree.

Applications deadlines for each semester are noted below. It is strongly recommended, however, that applications be submitted by December 1 of the prior academic year in order to receive full consideration for financial funding.

April 1 for Fall semester admission

November 1 for Spring semester admission

April 1 for Summer semester admission

Degree Requirements

Each student's program is guided by an academic adviser and committee of graduate faculty members. Student programs are structured according to students' past experiences and career objectives. Differentiation in preparation is reflected in different programs of study, cognate areas or minors, and areas of emphasis within special education. However, all Ph.D. candidates must pass a Qualifying Examination, meet specified English competencies, complete a series of Competency Activities, pass Ph.D. Comprehensive examinations (including the final oral examination), and complete a doctoral dissertation demonstrating the ability to use theory to develop and evaluate educational practice. In addition, all candidates must meet the minimum course requirements for the degree. These requirements include 24 credits of research methods, 9 credits in a minor or related field, and 36 credits in education. Up to 30 credits earned in a master's degree program may be applied with the approval of the student's committee. The specific courses used to meet these general requirements may vary considerably from student to student.

The professional requirements are designed to help students meet the criteria of the next environment (CONE). When developing the CONE model, our faculty performed several steps, two were critical: (a) identifying the major roles and responsibilities of the successful professional, and (b) organizing the program to prepare students to meet these expected demands. The major roles were, for the most part, taken from university promotion and tenure guidelines and an analysis of the day-to-day responsibilities of university faculty. While some of the information and skills are presented in graduate seminars, the majority of the competencies are learned through one-to-one interactions with individual faculty.

Cone Competencies

Doctoral students are expected to be effective college teachers. Typically, doctoral candidates take a course, then assist in that course (frequently giving two to three lectures). Then, the doctoral candidate enrolls in SPLED 602 and takes major responsibility for teaching that course. This sequence allows the student to become familiar with the content and structure of the course before taking over major responsibilities. Students are provided with guidance and feedback by the professor in charge of the course throughout the entire process. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to deliver guest lectures in other classes. Along with college teaching, doctoral students will have opportunities to supervise undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in student teaching or other practicum experiences. Faculty work closely with doctoral students during supervision to develop supervisory competency.

A variety of closely supervised writing experiences, using feedback systems common to professional publishing, are also part of the program. Students learn to write and submit grant proposals and several kinds of scholarly papers (including literature reviews and data- based studies). Because of these experiences, students are amply prepared to complete their dissertations and have at least one published manuscript before graduation. Furthermore, as a result of the grant writing experience, many students have received funding to conduct their dissertation research.

With faculty guidance and support, students design and conduct in service training, submit proposals for presenting at state and national conferences, and provide consultation to local and state agencies. Because most of our faculty are on the editorial boards of major special education journals, students also have opportunities to review manuscripts submitted to these journals

All students will be able to attend faculty meetings at the departmental, college, and university levels. These experiences allow students to see first-hand the types of decision making processes taking place in higher education. Additionally, doctoral students take part in interviewing new special education faculty and learn what it will be like when they seek their first college position.

A variety of other skills are included as part of the CONE program. While these skills do not fall under areas typically included in promotion and tenure guidelines, they are nonetheless important. Topics include interviewing for jobs, vita preparation, academic freedom, professional ethics (especially when working with students), negotiating publishing contracts, and working with support staff. The majority of these topics are covered in the context of a professional seminar.

• Development Testing

Contact the Professor in Charge

Associate Professor of Education (Special Education) Professor in Charge

215 CEDAR Building , University Park, PA, 16802

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 814-865-3567

Contact the Academic Program Coordinator

Academic Program Coordinator

125 CEDAR Building , University Park, PA, 16802

Phone: (814) 863-1699

PhD in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education Advancing Techniques to Educate Every Student Effectively

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 39 credit hours

Take Your Scholarship Further with Liberty’s Advanced Studies PhD in Special Education

Completing your Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) was an enormous achievement. You spent years researching the field of education from a professional perspective, but you are not done yet. Your desire to understand the full scope of this field drives you further. If you are interested in adding a dissertation on special education to your list of accomplishments, Liberty University has the PhD you need to make it happen.

Becoming a researcher and leader in the field of education means assuming a role in shaping the future of its policies, goals, and objectives. Whether you want to make an impact in a K-12, business, or government setting, a PhD in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education is the degree you need.

By coming into this PhD with a conferred doctoral degree, you will be able to transfer up to 39 of your hard-earned credits into the program. With the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies requiring a total of 60 credit hours, you will be just 21 credit hours away from adding a PhD to your name.

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• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Advanced Educational Studies Doctoral Program?

Liberty’s PhD in Advanced Educational Studies gives you new opportunities as an education professional. All of the research and work that went into your Ed.D. can be seamlessly applied to this program – including a large number of your completed credits! By transferring your doctoral courses into our PhD, you will be able to expand your current insight into the field while moving quickly towards a new doctoral credential.

While an Ed.D. focuses more on professional development and application, your work in the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education program will allow you to demonstrate your scholarship through a dissertation process. You will analyze scholarly research related to the field of special education so you can create and present original research by the end of the program.

One element that makes Liberty’s PhD program so unique is how we incorporate our commitment to the Christian faith into it. Our advanced educational studies program is designed to address the spirit as well as the intellect. Each course will include a consideration of Scripture relevant to the topic area.

Not only will your courses integrate biblical principles but your professors will also guide and instruct you from their faith. Our mission is to equip you as an expert in the field of special education who leads with confidence and integrity.

What Will You Study in Our Ph.D. in Advanced Studies for Special Education Degree?

The goal of your coursework in the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies is to have you well-equipped to communicate through various mediums and critically problem-solve. Additionally, this program will help to increase your information literacy through the examination of current literature, research defense, and dissemination.

By focusing your research and dissertation on special education, you will study the unique needs of students with all forms of learning disabilities. You will also study best practices in curriculum and program development for children with behavioral disorders, special needs, and those who excel and need more challenging programs.

Understanding these topics in special education is vital for effectively serving your school administration at the local, state, and national level.

Some of the additional topics you will cover in this program include:

• A biblical perspective on decision making within the field of education
• Advanced practices in designing and conducting original research
• Educational theories within the field for professional and academic practice
• Pedagogical concepts and approaches based upon research and knowledge of the discipline
• Theories and evidence-based practices that inform leadership, research, and teacher preparation in special education

Potential Career Opportunities

• Educational consultant
• Educational researcher
• K-12 special education director
• University administrator
• University professor

Featured Courses

• EDSP 722 – History and Future of Special Education
• EDSP 724 – Collaboration and Communication in Special Education
• EDSP 725 – Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
• EDSP 726 – Disability and Learning

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required) .
• An extensive final dissertation project is required.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

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Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

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Admission Requirements

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited Ed.D. or PhD in Education with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your PhD degree after the last day of class for your EdD or PhD in Education degree.
• Complete a Doctoral Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 9 credit hours of completion for an EdD or PhD in Education program.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

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Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this program allow transfer credit.

Our PhD online allows you to transfer in up to 39 credit hours so you can turn your EdD into a PhD quickly – depending on your transfer credit.

Does this degree require any culminating project?

You will complete your PhD with an integrated dissertation, giving you a terminal educational credential that shows employers you have reached the pinnacle of your field’s achievement.

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Masters in Special Education Degree Program Guide

What careers require a phd in special education.

Doctorate in Special Education Overview

Like most doctorate programs, the majority of special education doctorate programs are designed to concentrate on either research or teaching based specializations. In research based programs, doctorate students learn various methods for the collection, testing, evaluation, and analysis of data based on qualitative and quantitative research. These programs are designed to help graduates gain the knowledge needed to perform research tasks in a variety of positions and include opportunities for students to participate in research alongside highly qualified and experienced faculty.

In teaching based doctorate programs in special education, most students will perform duties as a teaching assistant in order to gain skills in educational delivery. These assistantships also match doctorate students with experienced faculty. Additional information for preparing to teach in special education, visit the National Association of Special Education .

In addition to these concentrations, some doctorate programs in special education are designed to include additional coursework or research in leadership, public policy, or educational theory. Additionally, most students pursuing a doctorate level degree will focus on a specific area of special education. These areas are often separated into support needs, learning disabilities, autism, hearing or visual impairment, early childhood development, behavior disorders, and gifted programs.

Doctorate in Special Education Coursework

In addition to experience working directly with research, teaching, administration, or another specialized area, doctorate students will complete a dissertation and several Ph.D. level courses in special education. Required coursework varies by institution as well as by concentration of area of study, but typical coursework at the doctorate level in special education programs is often divided by evidence practice, research, and teaching categories.

In the teaching category, doctoral students might complete coursework in college level instruction, leadership, and special education supervision. Research categories might include statistical methods, qualitative methods, applied research with special needs students, and professional issues and research. Evidence practice courses might include education research introductory classes, diversity in special education, and advances in special education and student needs.

Careers in Special Education

There are many organizations that look to Ph.D. graduates in special education to fill a variety of positions. Educational institutions at all levels, for example, employ special education doctoral graduates to facilitate and instruct from the early childhood development to the collegiate level. This degree can also help candidates meet educational requirements for principal and superintendent positions.

In addition to opportunities to teach, graduates who have earned a Ph.D. in special education are also candidates for positions as directors of programs at educational institutions, non-profit organizations, medical facilities, and government agencies. Research institutions and curriculum development corporations also employ doctoral graduates for positions.

The need for qualified professionals to lead, conduct research, and teach in special education programs from education to rehabilitation facilities to research and curriculum development organizations continues to increase as the number of special education programs grows to meet demand. With a Ph.D. in special education, candidates are able to focus on a specialized area and look for many exciting and rewarding positions in the field.

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PhD Specialization in Special Education

With a focus on students with disabilities, the special education PhD specialization prepares doctoral students for positions in research and leadership in higher education or the community. Baylor uses a competency-based approach to ensure doctoral students gain knowledge and skills in research, teaching, and supervision while our coursework offers a blend of theory and practice for serving individuals with high-incidence disabilities. Doctoral students will have research opportunities at the Spring Literacy Clinic offered through the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities and in the newly developed twice-exceptionalities programming through the Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.

Special Education Specialization Doctoral Courses

• PSY 5311 Seminar in Memory and Cognition
• PSY 5323 Biological Foundations of Behavior
• EDP 5329 Counseling Theories and Techniques
• EDP 5332 Human Growth and Development
• EDP 5333 Psychology of Learning, Cognition, and Affect
• EDP 5354 Curriculum Differentiation
• EDP 5357 Single Subject Research Design
• EDP 5358 Teaching Individuals with Autism & Developmental Disabilities
• EDP 5361 Challenging Behavior
• EDP 5363 Assessment for Learners with Exceptionalities
• EDP 5367 Developmental Psychopathology
• EDP 5377 Applied Behavior Analysis
• EDP 5393 Cultural Issues with Children and Families
• EDP 6320 Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
• EDP 6325 Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports
• EDP 6333 Advanced Human Growth and Development
• EDP 6333 Advanced Study of Human Learning
• EDP 6333 Research Practicum in Education
• EDP 6338 Grant Writing
• EDP 6350 History and Systems in Educational Psychology
• EDP 6354 Advanced Single Case Research
• EDP 6367 Individual Differences
• EDP 6370 Case Study Research Methods and Analysis in Education
• EDP 6380 Community Experience in Developmental Disabilities
• EDP 6390 Seminar: Education
• EDP 63XX Special Education Law

Special Education Faculty

Mack Burke, PhD Dr. Burke teaches graduate coursework in positive behavioral support and single-subject research methods. He regularly provides technical assistance on school-wide positive behavior support and evidence-based social and behavioral practices to school districts.

Erik Carter, PhD Dr. Carter’s research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Tonya Davis, PhD, BCBA-D Dr. Davis’ research interest involves the treatment of severe challenging behavior among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tamara Hodges, EdD Dr. Hodges’s interests are in curricular issues for special needs students, therapeutic approaches for individuals with eating disorders, and depression in adolescents and young adults. Dr. Hodges holds a license for the independent practice of psychology in Texas and is a licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP).

Tracey Sulak, PhD Dr. Sulak’s primary research interests involve the impact of environment on educational outcomes across the lifespan, and much of her research is funded by internal and external grants. Dr. Sulak conducts both applied research and secondary data set analysis, with much of her applied research situated in local public schools or colleges and universities. 

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What is Special Education?

Special Education is a set of services provided to students who experience exceptional learning needs. Governed by federal law ( Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA ), special education is defined as: “Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” Special education services may be provided across a variety of educational environments to students who have an individualized education program (IEP).

Eligibility for special education services requires that students have an identified disability that impacts their ability to learn and requires additional services and resources to effectively participate in school. Children who typically qualify for special education services include those with the following disabilities:

• Intellectual disability
• Hearing impairments (including deafness)
• Speech or language impairments
• Visual impairments (including blindness)
• Serious emotional disturbance
• Orthopedic impairments
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Traumatic brain injury
• Other health impairments
• Specific learning disabilities
• Developmental delay

Under the law, the IDEA ensures that regardless of a student’s disability or level of severity, schools must provide an appropriate education to ALL children with a disability (ages 3-21). It also requires that the following six principles be provided for students who receive special education services:

• Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) — a public education at no cost to parents/guardians or children designed to meet the individual needs of each student, provide access to the general education curriculum, provides services in accordance to a student’s IEP, and results in an educational benefit to the child.
• Nondiscriminatory Identification and Evaluation — refers to the process and instruments used to identify individuals with a disability. Schools are required to use nonbiased methods as well as multiple approaches in the evaluation process to ensure that there is no discrimination on the basis of race, culture, or native language. All evaluation instruments must use the child’s first language. No identification or placement decisions may be based on a single evaluation instrument or test score.
• Individualized education program (IEP) — this document is the foundation of special education and specifically describes the services to be provided to the student with a disability. The IEP includes a description of a student’s current level of educational performance, information on how his or her disability influences academic performance, and details needed adaptations and accommodations. This document also specifies the educational settings in which the student will receive instruction in the least restrictive environment, the learning goals and objectives that will be addressed within a targeted year, behavior management plan (if needed), transportation needs, and related services.
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) — this indicates the educational settings in which a student with a disability receives special education services. The assumption is that all children will be educated alongside their peers without disabilities, to the greatest extent appropriate. It is only when it is determined that a student’s education cannot be achieved satisfactorily using supplemental aids and services in general classroom settings that alternative educational settings would be identified. At that time, the LRE might include special education services received part- or full-time in a resource room setting, a self-contained classroom setting, and/or community-based settings.
• Parent Participation — parents of a child with a disability must be a member of any group that makes decisions regarding the placement and LRE of their child. Parents have a right to notification of all meetings regarding their child’s placement, access to planning and evaluation materials, and notification of any planned evaluations. Both parents and students must be invited to attend IEP meetings.
• Due Process Safeguards — these include the protections afforded to children and their parents under IDEA. Safeguards include: obtaining parental consent for all evaluations and educational placement decisions, confidentiality of all records relating to a child with a disability, independent student evaluation at public expense, and due process hearings when the school and parent may disagree.

If you are ready to make a difference as an educator and learn new ways to nurture a modern classroom, earn your online Master of Science in Education in Special Education from Purdue University. Within this convenient online platform, you can reach your goals of higher education at an accelerated pace. Call 877-497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor.