Program Overview

Special Education, Ph.D.

College of Education

Our special education doctoral program is designed to prepare you as a leader who is committed to improving student outcomes in educational and community settings. Graduates enjoy a range of career possibilities.

Program Highlights

• Design Your Program: Create an individual plan of study that's tailored to your unique research interests and career goals.
• Notable Faculty: Our faculty are experts in a range of special education topics from policy and law to teacher preparation.
• Intensive Mentoring: The program provides in-depth mentoring and advising to ensure scholars are equipped to serve in various leadership roles.
• Ranked Program: Be part of a college ranked in the top 15 percent nationally for graduate programs of education by U.S. News & World Report.

What You’ll Study

Learn from nationally recognized scholars who are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in special education. Foundation courses draw from educational psychology, foundations, research, curriculum and educational leadership. Students pursue their own research interests, and a dissertation is required.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Understand Complexity: Analyzing and synthesizing information to identify patterns and connections
• Cultural Awareness: Learning about and respecting diverse cultures and beliefs
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and demonstrating compassion and support
• Innovation: Introducing new ideas, methods or products to improve performance or achieve a specific goal
• Research: Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Using Your Degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

• Potential Careers:
  • Educator
  • Researcher
  • Faculty
• Job Titles of Alumni:
  • Assistant Professor
  • Adjunct Professor
  • Educational Consultant
  • Special Education Placement Chair
  • Research Assistant Professor
• Workplace Settings:
  • Education
  • Agencies
• Employers of Alumni:
  • University of South Carolina
  • Special Olympics South Carolina
  • Richland School District Two
  • South Carolina Department of Education

Being in higher education as a professor has always been a career goal. I love the feel and atmosphere that college campuses provide.

Michael Huesmann