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Special Education (PhD)

Special Education (PhD)

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Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Special Education (PhD)

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Program description
Degree awarded: PHD  Curriculum and Instruction (Special Education)

Graduates of this doctoral program receive an interdisciplinaty Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in special education. Students can expect a rigorous program providing ample opportunity to participate in course work that includes special education, applied linguistics and educational leadership as well as programs in trans-border studies and social justice.

Faculty consists of professors with a wide rage of expertise including:

  • Applied linguistics.
  • Critical race theory.
  • Educational anthropology.
  • English language learners.
  • Native American Indigenous studies.
  • Research and evaluation.
  • Special education.

We seek applicants interested in researching the intersections of equity, special education and learning in schools using multiple methods. A faculty strong in research methodology offers courses as varied as hierarchical linear modeling and video ethnography as well as single subject design and advanced research design.

Students apprentice as researchers in the Equity Alliance at ASU which offers multiple opportunities to design, collect, and publish research studies and enables students to develop expertise in research, professional learning, leadership for school-wide equity related to RTI and racial disproportionality in special education, and skills for leadership positions in higher education and state or local agencies.

Mentoring

Each student has a faculty advisor/mentor and a doctoral program/dissertation committee with faculty that assist in developing an individualized program based on the student's prior training and career goals.

The Ph.D. concentration in special education, which is designed to produce teacher educators and researchers in special education, is an integral part of the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction program. The corresponding goals of the Ph.D. program in special education are:

  1. Produce research scholars who can add to the knowledge base underlying special education.
  2. Provide experts in design, implementation, and evaluation of special education personnel preparation programs at the preservice and inservice levels.
  3. Provide students with comprehensive training that meets professionally recognized standards for the preparation of leadership personnel in special education and a related discipline.
  4. Provide students with the skills necessary to meet the research, teaching, and service activities associated with faculty positions at a full range of institutions of higher education or other professional roles.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Our doctoral curriculum typically requires three years of graduate study including at least a year-long residency on campus. Each year of study involves coursework pertaining to theory, research and practice in special education.

The curriculum provides students with a core set of courses, seminars, internships and research experiences to ensure that they meet professionally recognized standards for the preparation of leadership personnel in special education and in related disciplines; however, the curriculum is unique in that it builds upon this core by integrating a set of experiential research, teaching and service activities into students' programs of study.

Our doctoral curriculum program of study is divided into six basic domains:

  1. Core requirements in Policy, Leadership, and Curriculum.
  2. Core requirements in a related discipline.
  3. Core requirements in special education.
  4. Dissertation and independent research.
  5. Inquiry foundations.
  6. Internships and integrative/professional development seminars.

Each student's program of study includes a series of experiences to enhance his/her mastery of their current and future research, teaching and service responsibilities as a professional in special education.

Core Requirements in Six Domains

Domain 1: Special Education Domain. Our special education program requirement consists of 30 credit hours focusing on course work pertaining to theoretical and conceptual issues in special education as well as research, policy, and practice issues that are applicable to the field of special education but may transcend specific disciplines.

Domain 2: Interdisciplinary Domain. These requirements consist of 12 credit hours in which doctoral students are provided crossover training opportunities in related disciplines that meet the professionally recognized standards for doctoral study in those disciplines. The course and field experience requirements in each of the related disciplines are specific to the discipline.

Domain 3: Research and Inquiry Domain. Our research and inquiry foundations requirement consists of 15 credit hours beginning with basic statistical analysis and intermediate statistical analysis.

Three other courses are also required:

  1. Introduction to qualitative research.
  2. Introduction to quantitative research.
  3. A course from the following list:
    • Advanced qualitative analysis.
    • Advanced statistical analysis.
    • Categorical and nonparametric data analysis.
    • Graphical and exploratory data analysis.
    • Statistical computing and consulting problems.

Domain 4: Policy, Leadership, and Curriculum Domain. The policy, leadership, and curriculum core requirement consists of at least six credit hours.

Domain 5: Internship and Integrative/Professional Development Domain. Our practicum requirement consists of at least six credit hours of research and university teaching, three two-credit-hour internships. The purpose of the internships is to broaden the training and experiences of students. In addition, doctoral students are encouraged to participate in the Preparing Future Faculty Program offered by the Graduate College. This program consists of two semester hours of faculty roles, responsibilities and participation in an ongoing series of integrative and collaborative seminars coordinated with the Graduate College. Students have the opportunity to develop and participate in interdisciplinary research, teaching and service activities.

Domain 6: Independent Research and Dissertation Domain. A minimum of three credit hours of research and 12 credit hours of dissertation leading to completion of an approved dissertation are required.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

A promising candidate must be committed to the field of special education, committed to enhance educational opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse students, and provide an outstanding application portfolio and interview. Special attention is given to students who are most likely to enter the professoriate or pursue a leadership position in SEA or LEA.

The following are required:

  1. Application to the Graduate College.
  2. Curriculum vitae (resume).
  3. GRE scores.
  4. Letter of intent/statement of purpose.
  5. Statement of research interests.
  6. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.
  7. Transcripts.
  8. Two writing samples.
  9. Two years of teaching experience or the equivalent.

Additional materials may be required to gain admission into certain programs or cohorts.

Admission to the program is contingent upon the commitment from an approved mentor in the concentration to advise and mentor the applicant.

Note: This program is operating at maximum capacity and no new admissions are planned for fall 2011.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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