The Ed.D. in Special Education is a flexible doctoral program with provisions for individual planning to prepare special education professionals for positions of leadership in public and private schools and for colleges, universities, agencies, businesses and government entities. Major emphases are internally flexible and may be established to fit a variety of interests in the field of special education. Graduates develop leadership knowledge and skills in special education related to five major themes: theory, effective teaching, inquiry, scholarly production and intra-interpersonal skills. The program is designed to prepare students for creative leadership in a rapidly changing world that is experiencing increasing cultural diversity, curriculum and structural reforms in schools and pedagogical innovations across the educational spectrum.
The student may select an area of interest (one or more), in conference with his or her advisor, from the following areas: transition of children and youth with exceptionalities; education of preschool children with exceptionalities; one of the categorical areas of special education (autism, learning disabilities, deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, emotionally disturbed, gifted, mental retardation, etc.); curriculum development, special education administration; university teaching/research; or other areas as designed by the student and his or her advisor.
Special Education Ed.D.
Degree Requirements — 64-70 CreditsThe Ed.D. in Special Education is a flexible doctoral program with provisions for individual planning to prepare special education professionals for positions of leadership in public and private schools and for colleges, universities, agencies, businesses and government entities. Major emphases are internally flexible and may be established to fit a variety of interests in the field of special education. Graduates develop leadership knowledge and skills in special education related to five major themes: theory, effective teaching, inquiry, scholarly production and intra-interpersonal skills. The program is designed to prepare students for creative leadership in a rapidly changing world that is experiencing increasing cultural diversity, curriculum and structural reforms in schools and pedagogical innovations across the educational spectrum.Required Major Credits — 27-33 hoursDoctoral Core Courses (12 hours)Apprenticeships (9 hours)Apprenticeships are typically taken in two hour blocks, beginning with the first semester on campus. Variable titles related to inquiry, university teaching and administration are selected based on the nature of the apprenticeship.Externships (3 hours - minimum)Externships are taken in one to twelve hour blocks and involve an off-campus experience. Variable titles related to inquiry, university teaching and administration are selected based on the nature of the externship.Topical Seminars (3 hours - minimum)Topical seminars are offered as three hour courses. A minimum of one topical seminar is required, and up to three topical seminars may be included in the program of study.Elective Credits — 9 hours (minimum)Students are to select 9 semester hours of courses from outside of the School of Special Education. Electives are chosen in consultation with the major advisor and are an integral part of the program plan.The student may select an area of interest (one or more), in conference with his or her advisor, from the following areas: transition of children and youth with exceptionalities; education of preschool children with exceptionalities; one of the categorical areas of special education (autism, learning disabilities, deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, emotionally disturbed, gifted, mental retardation, etc.); curriculum development, special education administration; university teaching/research; or other areas as designed by the student and his or her advisor.Research Core — 12 hours