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Special Education - Ph.D.

The Special Education Ph.D. program offers rigorous coursework and research opportunities to help you become a leader in the field. Apply now and make an impact in special education.

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Ph.D. Degree in Special Education

Kent State University’s Ph.D. Degree in Special Education is an advanced program designed for educators and researchers who aspire to lead in the field of special education. The program emphasizes the development of research skills, theoretical frameworks, and advanced practices to address the complex needs of students with disabilities. Students engage in rigorous coursework and dissertation research that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in special education, preparing them to influence policy, practice, and research in educational settings.

Program Information for Special Education - Ph.D.

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Special Education is designed to prepare highly qualified, experienced persons for academic faculty and research positions in colleges, universities and research centers, in addition to leadership, administrative and advocacy positions. The program enables students to master a comprehensive field of emphasis in special education; employ intellectual and innovative methods for addressing the needs of exceptional children, youth and adults; and acquire a breadth of understanding of related disciplines that focus on the professional roles of college teaching, research, administration and clinical-, educational- and agency-based services for individuals with exceptionalities.

Students participate in research studies, learn methods for conducting research and design independent and collaborative studies in their specialty area. In addition to conceptualizing, designing, implementing and interpreting research, all doctoral students are also expected to demonstrate competence in teaching at the college level during their doctoral training.

Admissions for Special Education - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Formulate ideas, concepts, designs and/or techniques within and beyond the current boundaries of knowledge and practice in the field of special education; demonstrate breadth within their learning experiences.
  2. Articulate research problems, potentials and limits with respect to theory knowledge or practice in the field of special education; create research and scholarship that makes a substantive contribution to the field.
  3. Share knowledge and research in the field of special education with students in a clear and engaging manner; effectively communicate with students within and outside of class; advance contributions of the field of special education to society.
  4. Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner to a variety of audiences.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to work well with others, participate in professional organizations and adhere to ethical standards of research protocol and professional behavior.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
SPED 70092COLLEGE TEACHING AND PRACTICUM 3
SPED 80001SPECIAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY 3
SPED 80002ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 80003IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 80005EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 80040RESEARCH GRANT DEVELOPMENT FOR DISABILITY PROGRAMS 3
SPED 83201CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 83301SINGLE-SUBJECT RESEARCH METHODS 3
Major Electives, choose from the following:12
RMS 75510
STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
RMS 78710
INTRODUCTION TO MEASUREMENT
RMS 78716
STATISTICS II: ANOVA AND NONPARAMETRIC TESTS
RMS 78728
MULTIPLE REGRESSION
RMS 85515
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
RMS 85516
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
RMS 85517
ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
RMS 85518
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
RMS 88791
SEMINAR: RESEARCH, MEASUREMENT, AND STATISTICS
SPED 73204
LEGAL AND POLICY FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 83991
SEMINAR IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPED 83998
RESEARCH:SPECIAL EDUCATION 1
Culminating Requirement
SPED 80199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours:66
1

Research topic for SPED 83998 must be approved by and registered with a specific faculty member and approved by advisory committee.

2

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for SPED 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter SPED 80299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • After admission to the Ph.D. degree program, students plan a program of study with their respective faculty advisory committee, headed by their advisor.
  • Students’ programs may include at least one appropriate graduate-level minor or cognate as well as the major.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Mostly online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Special Education - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Special Education is accredited by the Council of Education of the Deaf for coursework that focuses on deaf education.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Special Education - Ph.D.

Graduates with a Ph.D. in Special Education can pursue careers as university professors, researchers, or policy analysts specializing in disability studies and inclusive education. They may work in higher education, research institutions, or governmental and non-profit organizations focused on special education policy and advocacy. This degree prepares professionals for leadership roles in educational administration, program development, and advocacy, allowing them to drive meaningful change in the field of special education and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Education administrators, all other

2.5%

slower than the average

60,200

number of jobs

$89,040

potential earnings

Education teachers, postsecondary

2.1%

slower than the average

74,900

number of jobs

$72,090

potential earnings

Community and social service specialists, all other

4.6%

about as fast as the average

119,200

number of jobs

$54,940

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

6.4%

faster than the average

219,800

number of jobs

$78,240

potential earnings

Social scientists and related workers, all other

-1.7%

decline

40,800

number of jobs

$100,340

potential earnings

Special education teachers, all other

1.1%

slower than the average

41,000

number of jobs

$67,430

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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