Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > EdD in Special Education

Doctor of Education (EdD) in
Special Education

Online

Program Overview

Through UA’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education, you can prepare to be a leader who transforms the educational landscape for children and youth with exceptional needs. Tailor this program to your interests and career goals by selecting the Autism, Collaborative, Early Childhood Special Education, Gifted or Leadership coursework track.

Program Format
Online
Credit Hours
72
Tuition Per Hour
$440

Lead the Future in Special Education

Our online EdD equips you to change the world in special education administration, evaluation, teaching and service in ways that seek the best for students and families with special needs. Graduates may seek career advancement as school or district administrators, teacher trainers or executive leaders in other nonprofit organizations.

Because this degree program may be completed online, it is accommodating of those with full-time careers and other demands. It is possible to complete the program in three years; however, full-time study is not required.

Application Priority DeadlineMarch 15
Fees$10 College of Education graduate fee (per credit hour)
Other Program SpecificsCohort-based program with Fall semester admissions
Scholarships and Grants AvailableDiscover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

The EdD in Special Education requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate study beyond the master’s degree, including at least 60 credit hours of coursework and 12 credit hours of dissertation research.

The program can be completed in three years to include summer semesters. Six to nine credit hours per semester would be required to complete the program in three years. The program coordinator will provide you with a program of study. Full-time study is not required, and courses may be taken at your own pace if preferred.

Coursework is a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous classes. Approximately five courses will be held in a synchronous format and will hold virtual sessions. These sessions will be held one night per week (e.g., 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. or 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Central time).

Required Courses

SPE 593 Introduction to Severe/Profound Disabilities
SPE 600 Doctoral Seminar in Special Education
SPE 597 Transition in Special Education
SPE 606 Topical Seminar in Special Education
SPE 613 Consultation Process for Special Education Programs
SPE 616 Advanced Professional Development
SPE 617 Special Education Leadership, Policy and Law
BCE 542 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities

BEF 534 Multicultural Education
BEF 577 Readings in Critical Sociology of Education
BEF 607 Readings in Sociology of Education
BEF 639 Educational Theory and Policy
BEF 640 History of Education
BEF 644 Philosophy of Research in Education
BEF 667 Multicultural and Social Education for Leadership Personnel
BEP 500 Advanced Educational Psychology
BEP 505 Motivation and Self-regulation
BEP 550 Lifespan Development
BEP 561 Sociocultural Basis of Behavior
BCE 513 Career Development
BCE 522 Individual and Group Appraisal
BCE 653 Introduction to Play Therapy
CAT 531 Computer Based Instruction
Or any BCE, BEF, BEP, or other advisor-approved non-SPE course offered online

BER 540 Statistical Methods in Education
BER 555 Measurement and Evaluation: Social and Behavioral
BER 600 Quantitative Research Methods
BER 660 Evaluation I: Theory and Practice
Or other advisor-approved BER course

Coursework Tracks*

SPE 502 Advanced Behavior Management
SPE 504 Introduction to Assistive Technology
SPE 520 Language, Communication and Early Literacy Interventions
SPE 531 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
SPE 532 Evidence Based Practices in Autism Spectrum Disorder
SPE 533 Assessing Behavior Change in Children and Youth with Autism
SPE 611 Independent Study

SPE 590 Introduction to Mild Disabilities
SPE 602 Seminar in Research in Special Education
SPE 611 Independent Study
SPE 623 Issues in Collaborative Education
SPE 624 Advanced Curriculum Workshop: Collaborative

SPE 572 Early Childhood Development
SPE 578 Methods of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities
SPE 602 Seminar in Research in Special Education
SPE 611 Independent Study
SPE 621 Issues in Special Education: Early Childhood
SPE 622 Advanced Curriculum Development: Early Childhood

SPE 581 Psychology of Gifted and Talented Youth
SPE 582 Teaching Gifted Education
SPE 583 Creative Problem Solving
SPE 584 Special populations of Gifted
SPE 585 Teaching Thinking Skills
SPE 611 Independent Study
SPE 681 Issues in Gifted Education

AEL 608 Educational Finance Theory and Practice
AEL 619 Politics in Education
AEL 630 School and Community Partnership
AEL 650 Organizational Theory
AEL 661 Trends and Major Issues in Educational Leadership
AEL 664 Educational Policy and the Dynamics of Change
AEL 671 Survey of Instructional Supervision
AEL 682 Leadership and Organization Theory with Applications
SPE 611 Independent Study

*Choose from one coursework track. Each track totals to 12 hours.

Admission

Admission to the Doctor of Education in Special Education program is highly selective and requires the following:

A master’s degree in special education or a related area.
- Please note that an EdS degree or other post-master’s degree work (i.e., BCBA) will make an applicant more competitive for admission. If you do not have an EdS or other post-master’s degree work, you may want to consider applying to our online EdS program first. Much of the EdS coursework overlaps with the EdD program, enabling a seamless, internal transfer of hours: https://online.ua.edu/degrees/eds-in-special-education.
Three years of appropriate experience, defined as three years of teaching experience (accompanied by teaching certification)
Transcripts from all institutions attended
Statement of purpose
Completed UA Graduate School application
An interview may be required by the department. Applicants will receive additional information from the program coordinator if they are invited to interview.
Three letters of recommendation
Applicants may be considered for regular admission to a graduate program when they meet the minimum GPA requirement set by the Graduate School: an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 average for the last 60 credit hours in a degree program, or a 3.0 or higher GPA in a completed graduate degree program
Writing Assessment: Please submit as one document.
- Part 1: In one page, please describe what is meant by evidence-based practices.
- Part 2: In three to five pages, please list some of these evidence-based practices and describe their role in contemporary gifted education or special education (select the area of program application). Please also discuss why you think there is a gap in implementing these practices.