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Dec 07, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Special Education (EDD)
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 Return to: Degrees & Certificates Offered
The Special Education Ed.D. program, offered through Special Education, Counseling, and Student Affairs , is directed by a minimum of five members of the university graduate faculty, including a major professor with substantial expertise in the area of emphasis, two other faculty with strengths in the area of emphasis, one faculty member outside the student’s specialization, and one faculty member, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, from another department within the College of Education who serves as the chair of the examination committee for the oral defense of the dissertation.
Each student’s program of study is individualized with the approval of the major professor and the supervisory committee to optimize the student’s interests, expertise, and professional goals.
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Admission Requirements
A minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students already holding an applicable master’s degree upon admission can count 30 credits toward the 90 credits required for the doctorate. Dissertation Requirements
Completion of a dissertation which treats an important topic of professional education practice using a systematic methodology consistent with accepted research paradigms; the dissertation must be successfully defended in a public, oral defense. 12 credit hours Foundations: 12 credit hours
Required courses in foundations include these areas: historical and philosophical analysis of educational ideas and practice; techniques and interpretation of educational research; social science explanations of educating a diverse society; and psychological bases of educational thought and practice. Each of these courses or their equivalent must be completed: Research: 6 credit hours
Research courses are required which concern methodology consistent with that required for the dissertation. Clinical experience: 12 credit hours
The clinical experience is designed to enhance one’s professional development by providing field-based exposure to the process of administration and supervision of special education programs and personnel. The objectives, activities, and outcomes for this clinical experience/internship are commonly determined by the major professor (advisor), in consultation with the student advisory committee. Area of emphasis: 48 credit hours minimum
Preliminary examination requirement
Satisfactory completion of all segments of a monitored, written examination of at least 12 hours over all areas of the program of study, 3 of which must be over the foundation courses. Program Total Credits: 60
Master’s degree Transfer Credits: 30
*Students who hold a master’s degree may request transfer of up to 30 credit hours of that degree toward a Doctoral Degree
Total Hours Required for Doctorate: 90
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Return to: Degrees & Certificates Offered
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