The PhD concentration in Special Education is designed for providing teachers, administrators, parents, and mental, health, or social service providers with the unique opportunity to develop their reflective thinking skills and leadership skills on the application of best practices on a diverse range of disabilities and to engage into critical educational issues, practices and concerns. The PhD concentration in Special Education, responds to the academic and professional needs of both school-based and agency-based personnel, who presently hold or desire to pursue leadership positions in Special Education. Our students are people, who seek a career in academy, or in field-based research; are specialized in government issues and policies; direct public and private agencies; and are consultants and advocates in Special Education. One of our goals is to support our graduates to seek academic positions as faculty at colleges and universities. The program involves theoretical and practical coursework, seminars, research activities, and field experiences that provide the knowledge and skills necessary to effectually perform leadership positions. The PhD concentration in Special Education program requires the inclusion of core doctoral courses (30 credits) and research/dissertation courses (30 credits). Courses may be selected from the general Special Education options in curriculum, educational leadership, and diversity, and from concentration options in Assistive Technology (AT), gifted learners, mild/moderate disabilities, and instruction/assessment.

Required Credit Hours: minimum hours