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 and Multiple Abilities, 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, 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

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

Any BCE, BEF, BEP, or other advisor-approved non-SPE course offered online. Here are suggested courses offered routinely online:

  • BCE 513  Career Development
  • BCE 522  Individual and Group Appraisal
  • BCE 653  Introduction to Play Therapy
  • BEF 507  Sociology of Education
  • 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
  • CAT 531  Computer-based Instruction

  • BER 540 Statistical Methods in Education
  • BER 550 Classroom Evaluation Research
  • BER 558 Introduction to Psychometric Theory
  • BER 600 Quantitative Research Methods
  • BER 660 Evaluation I: Theory and Practice
  • Or other advisor-approved BER course

Coursework Tracks*

  • 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 502 Advanced Behavior Management
  • SPE 504 Introduction to Assistive Technology
  • SPE 520 Language, Communication and Early Literacy Interventions

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

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

  • AEL 671 Survey of Instructional Supervision
  • AEL 661 Trends and Major Issues in Educational Leadership
  • AEL 619 Politics in Education
  • AEL 630 School and Community Partnership

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

Admission

Admission to the EdD program requires the following:

  • A master’s degree in special education or a related area
  • Three years of teaching experience
  • An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 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 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.
  • An invitation to interview (as appropriate) may be required by the department. You will receive additional information from the program coordinator.

A completed application includes unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a Graduate School application. A committee of graduate faculty members evaluate and collectively discuss admission applications as designated by the chair of the department.

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