Special
Education
Doctoral Program
The Department of Special Education (EDSP) offers a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) degree which is designed to prepare individuals to conduct and disseminate
research and prepare future teachers in special education. U.S. News and
World Report has consistently ranked the EDSP department as one of the
nation’s leading programs in personnel preparation. Students accepted
into the PhD program are prepared to assume faculty positions at research
universities or leadership positions in state and local education agencies,
policy organizations, or the federal government. Therefore, the PhD program
goals consist of the following:
1. To prepare highly qualified scholars and researchers in the field
of special education
2. To prepare highly qualified teacher educators in the field of special
education who can prepare personnel in the field of special education
3. To prepare leaders, advocates, and policy developers who will make
an impact upon the education and lives of individuals with disabilities
and their families
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Once admitted to the doctoral program, each student develops a formal
plan of study with a faculty advisor that complements his or her previous
background and professional goals before completing 21 credits of study.
Required courses include:
EDSP 860: Doctoral Research Seminar in Special Education
EDSP 875: Policy Issues Affecting individuals with Disabilities
EDSP 872: Theory & Empirical Design in Special Education
EDMS 645: Quantitative Research Methods I or Equivalent
EDMS 646: Quantitative Research Methods II or Equivalent
EDSP 670: Single Subject Research in Special Education
EDSP 671: Qualitative Methods in Special Education or equivalent
EDSP 651: Applied Multiple Regression Analysis OR 3 credit course equivalent
at the intermediate level (e.g., single subject or qualitative research
methods)
EDSP 898: Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Seminar
EDSP 899: Dissertation Research in Special Education
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In addition to the required courses, PhD candidates also select one of
the following concentration areas and plan content coursework with a faculty
advisor. For additional information on these concentrations, faculty associated
with each area, and fellowship/funding opportunities, click on the appropriate
area:
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