Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) with a specialization in Special Education prepares graduates for academic positions in research and teaching. The program in special education includes the study of response to intervention across the curriculum, diversity issues, social development and school-based prevention practices for students with social and behavioral adjustment problems, universal design, and single subject design in addition to the comprehensive Carnegie core of research courses in quantitative, qualitative, and program evaluation research methods.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:

• A WSU Graduate School general application (including application fee)
• Current resume or vitae
• Letter of Intent, which must include:
  • The reason for pursuing a graduate degree
  • A description of teaching or other life experience that relates to graduate study
  • A commitment to scholarship or professional development
  • A specific research or inquiry interest(s) as it relates to Special Education
  • Briefly describe how your research interests are similar to those of the faculty you have mentioned working with
  • The unique perspective you would bring to the graduate program
  • If applying for an assistantship, why you would be an effective teacher at the college level
• Academic writing sample, which must be a formal, academic writing sample, such as a thesis or paper
• Three letters of reference, which must address:
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Scholarship
  • Experience with children or youth or adults
  • Facility with written, oral, and interpersonal communication
  • If applying for an assistantship, one of the letters must also address your effectiveness as a teacher
• Complete Educational History and Transcripts from any colleges/universities:
  • Where any degrees have been granted or are expected
  • That show any graded bachelor’s work and/or graduate-level work (including doctoral) taken after the bachelor’s degree
  • Unofficial copies may be uploaded with the Graduate School application for application review
  • If admitted, you will be required to submit official copies to the WSU Graduate School
• International Students must meet the university’s English proficiency and funding requirements
• Copies of currently held education certificates
• A video answering the following two questions:
  • What in your background prompts your interest in special education and applying to our program?
  • What are your topics of research interest and how do they fit into your future plans after your time at WSU?

Program Details

• Total Graduate Faculty in Program: 9
• Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program: 6
• Graduate Students in Program: 10
• Priority Deadlines:
  • Fall: December 1
• Campus: Pullman
• International Student English Proficiency Exams:
  • TOEFL – iBT
  • IELTS
  • Duolingo

Student Opportunities

Internships in the public school system are available.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program may pursue careers as:

• Faculty at a research university
• Clinical faculty
• Central administrator at K-12 school district
• Administrator at state educational agency

Career Placements

Graduates of the program may be placed as:

• Teacher
• Faculty member at a research university