Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy - Special Education

The Ph.D. in Special Education in the Department of Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education is designed with an emphasis in the development of skills in scientific inquiry and leadership. Students enrolled in this study program gain an understanding of philosophy and theory as they relate to the conduct of research and program evaluation. Graduates pursue careers in schools, institutions of higher education, research centers, and agencies that require the competencies developed through a Ph.D. course of study.

About

The program is designed to provide students with an understanding of philosophy and theory as they relate to the conduct of research and program evaluation. Graduates will be able to design and implement educational research, complete scholarly writing endeavors, design and implement scholarly presentations, provide high-quality instruction, and engage in scholarly dialogue related to current issues and trends in special education.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Design and implement educational research that forms the basis for evidence-based practices within the fields of special education and/or early childhood education.
• Complete scholarly writing endeavors (e.g., publications, grants, conference proposals) with the potential to effect the quality of practice within the fields of special education and/or early childhood education.
• Design and implement scholarly presentations designed to effect change within the fields of special education and/or early childhood education.
• Provide high-quality instruction in special education and/or early childhood education to post-secondary students.
• Engage in scholarly dialogue related to current issues and trends within the fields of special education and/or early childhood education.

Career Possibilities

• University or college professor
• Government official
• School district leadership
• Educational consultant

Requirements

Admission Requirements

• Completed application and non-refundable application fee.
• Bachelor's Degree A four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent and a regionally accredited master's degree.
• Grade Point Average A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
• All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts are required upon admission.
• Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service.

Department Admission Requirements

• Graduate level transcripts should indicate grade point averages (and receipt of a post-baccalaureate degree in special education or a related field).
• A statement of intent that clearly articulates professional and research goals related to the focus of the Ph.D. degree program in Special Education.
• Three letters of recommendation at least one from an individual familiar with the applicant's academic performance and potential for doctoral degree completion and at least one from an individual knowledgeable of the applicant's quality of work experience.
• Representative samples of scholarly writing, preferably in APA style, and/or other media samples related to professional study.
• A resume of professional preparation and experience (a minimum of two to three years of professional experience in special education, general education, or other relevant field as a teacher, administrator, or related service provider for children and adults with disabilities and/or giftedness is preferred).

Plan Requirements

• Total Credits Required: 66

Course Requirements

Required Core Courses Credits: 15

• ESP 763 - Seminars in Selected Special Educational Topics
• ESP 782R - Professional Seminar in Special Education
• ESP 785 - Issues, Trends and Futures in Special Education
• ESP 788 - Single Subject Methods in Special Education
• ESP 789 - Grant Writing for Human Services

Research Courses Credits: 6

• EPY 721 - Descriptive and Inferential Statistics: An Introduction
• ESP 791 - Proposal Design and Analysis

Statistics Course Credits: 3

• EPY 722 - Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design
• KIN 751 - Selected Application of Statistical Techniques I

Additional Research Courses Credits: 6

• EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods
• EPY 718 - Qualitative Research Methodologies
• EPY 733 - Multivariate Statistics
• KIN 752 - Selected Application of Statistical Techniques II

Internship Courses Credits: 9

• ESP 793 - Internship in Special Education Research
• ESP 794 - Internship in Special Education

Leadership & Exceptionality Courses Credits: 12

• Complete 12 credits of advisor-approved leadership and exceptionality courses from one or more of the following leadership concentrations: Parenting, Administration, Research, Diagnosis/Assessment, Transition, Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, Technology, Consultation, or Curriculum.

Prospectus Course Credits: 3

• ESP 796 - Dissertation Prospectus

Dissertation Credits: 12

• ESP 799 - Dissertation

Plan Degree Requirements

• The program of study requires a minimum of 66 credits.
• Only credits that meet specific criteria may be included on the formal Program of Study.
• Doctoral students must earn a grade of B or higher in all core curriculum courses.
• Doctoral students must earn a grade of B or higher in EPY 721 and EPY 722/KIN 751.
• Doctoral students are required to spend a minimum of two consecutive semesters in full-time resident study in the Department of Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education.

Plan Graduation Requirements

• The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline.
• The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
• After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check.
• Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest.
• Deadlines for dissertation defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found on the Graduate College website.
• Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements.
• All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.