Special Education, Ph.D.
Saint Louis University
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Saint Louis University's Ph.D. program in special education prepares leaders, researchers and practitioners in the field of special education.
The program focuses on developing expertise and skills in special education issues at the national and international levels and on policy development for inclusive special education programs.
SLU's doctoral program in special education requires the completion of 30-36 credits of coursework, 12 credits of dissertation research, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination/proposal defense and a public presentation and defense of the dissertation.
Possible career paths for graduates with advanced degrees in special education include faculty positions in colleges and universities, positions in research institutes and organizations, curriculum coordinator, educational outreach coordinator, nonprofit specialist, special educator and adult educator.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
Please note that application deadlines for this program differ for international students.
A committee reviews each application.
Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15 and for the spring semester by Nov. 1. International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester and by Oct. 1 for the spring semester.
For priority consideration for graduate assistantships, applicants should complete their applications by January 15.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | ||
| EDSP 5530 | Fundamentals in Neurology | 3 |
| EDSP 6030 | Ethics of Special Education Leadership | 3 |
| EDSP 6040 | Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| EDSP 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Disability in Higher Education & Society | ||
| Media and Disability Issues | ||
| Special Education Administration | ||
| Comparison of International SPED Programs | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Special Education | ||
| Special Education Internship | ||
| Research Courses | ||
| Introductory Research Courses | 3-9 | |
| Advanced Research Courses | 6 | |
| EDR 6970 | Research Topics in Education | 3 |
| Dissertation Research | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research | 12 |
| Total Credits | 42-48 | |
Students must complete master’s level graduate research coursework as prerequisites for advanced research courses. Students are required to successfully complete the following three research courses. Up to six credits may be waived based on students' prior coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education | 3 |
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed | 3 |
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education | 3 |
Students choose 6 credits of research electives from either the qualitative or quantitative focus (see lists below)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:) | ||
| Evaluation of Education Programs | ||
| Professional Writing | ||
| Advanced Qual Research for Ed | ||
| Designing Mixed Methods Research | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Quantitative Research Focus (choose two courses from the following:) | ||
| Research Design and Analysis | ||
| Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education | ||
| Single Subject Experimental Research Design | ||
| Multilevel Regression Models | ||
| Designing Mixed Methods Research | ||
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDSP 6030 | Ethics of Special Education Leadership | 3 |
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 0-3 |
| Credits | 3-6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDSP 5530 | Fundamentals in Neurology | 3 |
| EDSP 6040 | Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| EDR 5400 | Qualitative Research in Education (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed (if not already completed as a prerequisite) | 0-3 |
| Credits | 0-3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDSP Content Elective | 3 | |
| EDR Research Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDSP Content Elective | 3 | |
| EDR Research Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDSP Content Elective | 3 | |
| EDR 6970 | Research Topics in Education | 3 |
| EDI 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number. ) | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDR 6990 | Dissertation Research (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 42-48 | |
Students must complete master’s level graduate research coursework as prerequisites for advanced research courses. Students are required to successfully complete the following three research courses: EDR 5000 General Research Methods for Education (3 cr), EDR 5100 Intro to Inferential Statistics: Ed (3 cr) and EDR 5400 Qualitative Research in Education (3 cr). Up to six credits may be waived based on students’ prior coursework.
24 hours of research coursework is required (including 12 hours of dissertation research)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDR 5500 | Evaluation of Education Programs | 3 |
| EDR 6000 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| EDR 6400 | Advanced Qual Research for Ed | 3 |
| EDR 6600 | Designing Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| EDR 6930 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDR 6060 | Research Design and Analysis | 3 |
| EDR 6100 | Intermediate Applied Statistics for Education | 3 |
| EDR 6150 | Single Subject Experimental Research Design | 3 |
| EDR 6500 | Multilevel Regression Models | 3 |
| EDR 6600 | Designing Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDSP 6020: History and Philosopy of Special Education | 3 | |
| EDSP 6060 | Media and Disability Issues | 3 |
| EDSP 6110 | Special Education Administration | 3 |
| EDSP 6120 | Comparison of International SPED Programs | 3 |
| EDSP 6500 | Advanced Seminar in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders) | 3 |
| EDSP 6500 | Advanced Seminar in Special Education (Intellectual Disability) | 3 |
| EDSP 6500 | Advanced Seminar in Special Education (Learning Disability) | 3 |
| EDSP 6500 | Advanced Seminar in Special Education (Behavior Disorders) | 3 |
| EDH 6050 | Disability in Higher Education & Society | 3 |
For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu