Special Education, PhD

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Special Education is a research degree that prepares students to become scholars and teachers who can discover, integrate and apply knowledge, as well as communicate and disseminate it. The intent of the program is to prepare students for a leadership position within the field of special education (e.g., university, school system). The program is competency based, with specific emphasis on research and teaching.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The Special Education PhD requires the completion of the courses (55 credit hours) listed below.

Coursework

Research and Methodology Courses-13 Credits

• EDF 9270 - Quantitative Research Designs and Statistics for Educational Contexts 4 Credits  
• EDF 9770 - Multiple Regression / General Linear Model in Educational Research 3 Credits   
• EDF 9790 - Qualitative Research in Education 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9360 - Single-Subject Research Design 3 Credits  

Specialty Courses-18 Credits 

• EDSP 9340 - Evidence-Based Research in Instructional Design and Delivery 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9350 - Preparing Highly Qualified Special Educators: Research in Teacher Education 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9370 - Research in High Incidence Disabilities 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9390 - Professional Writing in Special Education 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9500 - College Teaching and Field Supervision in Special Education 1-3 Credits  
• EDSP 9530 - Legal Trends in Special Education 3 Credits  

Additional Coursework-6 Credits

Choose at least two courses from the following list (a minimum of 6 credit hours). Alternative courses may be selected to fulfill this requirement in consultation with the student’s advisor.

• ED 9380 - Grant Development in Education-Related Fields 3 Credits  
• EDF 9200 - Philosophy of Educational Research 3 Credits  
• EDF 9710 - Case Study and Ethnographic Research Methods and Design 3 Credits  
• EDF 9720 - Phenomenology and Grounded Theory Research Methods and Design 3 Credits  
• EDF 9730 - Narrative and Historical Research Methods and Design 3 Credits  
• EDF 9750 - Mixed Methods Research 3 Credits  
• EDF 9780 - Multivariate Educational Research 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9310 - Advanced Research in Learning Disabilities 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9320 - Advanced Research in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9330 - Advanced Research in Mental Retardation 3 Credits  
• EDSP 9400 - Accountability and Assessment for Diverse Populations in High Needs Schools 3 Credits  
• MATH 8070 - Applied Multivariate Analysis 3 Credits  
• SSCI 8030 - Survey Designs for Applied Social Research 3 Credits  

Dissertation-18 Credits

• EDSP (ED, EDF) 9910 - Doctoral Dissertation Research 1-18 Credits