Program Overview

Special Education - Ph.D.

Overview

The Special Education Ph.D. program offers rigorous coursework and research opportunities to help you become a leader in the field.

About This Program

The Ph.D. degree in Special Education is designed to prepare highly qualified, experienced persons for academic faculty and research positions in colleges, universities and research centers, in addition to leadership, administrative and advocacy positions. The program enables students to master a comprehensive field of emphasis in special education; employ intellectual and innovative methods for addressing the needs of exceptional children, youth and adults; and acquire a breadth of understanding of related disciplines that focus on the professional roles of college teaching, research, administration and clinical-, educational- and agency-based services for individuals with exceptionalities.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester: Rolling admissions
• Summer Term: Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• SPED 70092: COLLEGE TEACHING AND PRACTICUM (3 credits)
• SPED 80001: SPECIAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY (3 credits)
• SPED 80002: ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 credits)
• SPED 80003: IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 credits)
• SPED 80005: EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 credits)
• SPED 80040: RESEARCH GRANT DEVELOPMENT FOR DISABILITY PROGRAMS (3 credits)
• SPED 83201: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (3 credits)
• SPED 83301: SINGLE-SUBJECT RESEARCH METHODS (3 credits)
• Major Electives (12 credits): Choose from the following:
  • RMS 75510: STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
  • RMS 78710: INTRODUCTION TO MEASUREMENT
  • RMS 78716: STATISTICS II: ANOVA AND NONPARAMETRIC TESTS
  • RMS 78728: MULTIPLE REGRESSION
  • RMS 85515: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
  • RMS 85516: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
  • RMS 85517: ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
  • RMS 85518: ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
  • RMS 88791: SEMINAR: EVALUATION AND MEASUREMENT
  • SPED 73204: LEGAL AND POLICY FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
  • SPED 83991: SEMINAR IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
  • SPED 83998: RESEARCH:SPECIAL EDUCATION 1
• Culminating Requirement:
  • SPED 80199: DISSERTATION I (30 credits)

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Formulate ideas, concepts, designs and/or techniques within and beyond the current boundaries of knowledge and practice in the field of special education; demonstrate breadth within their learning experiences.
2. Articulate research problems, potentials and limits with respect to theory knowledge or practice in the field of special education; create research and scholarship that makes a substantive contribution to the field.
3. Share knowledge and research in the field of special education with students in a clear and engaging manner; effectively communicate with students within and outside of class; advance contributions of the field of special education to society.
4. Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner to a variety of audiences.
5. Demonstrate the ability to work well with others, participate in professional organizations and adhere to ethical standards of research protocol and professional behavior.

Why Kent State University

• Badar-Kauffman Conference: Attend, learn, and share vital information during this annual Special Education Conference.
• Special Education: Hear why our students and alumni love the Special Education program!
• The Highly Individualized Ph.D. Program: Explore the breadth of content, coursework, and experiences offered in the Special Education Ph.D. program.