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Department of Specialized Education Services
Ph.D. in Special Education
Program Overview
Program Focus
The focus of the doctoral program in the Department of Specialized Education Services (SES) at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) is to prepare transdisciplinary leaders for specialized education, including special education, deaf education and early childhood. In particular, graduates of the program will be prepared to assume leadership roles for enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families as university faculty members or administrators in community settings.
Educational Leadership
The SES doctoral program recognizes that leaders in the field of special education must possess skills to analyze, generate, and share knowledge in a way that will have a profound impact on the community. To ensure this high quality of education, doctoral students in SES will have opportunities to work with faculty and other community members that will include rigorous research activities and advanced coursework
Collaboration
Faculty members in the Specialized Education Services doctoral program believe that best practice in education is achieved when leaders model and facilitate a commitment to strong professional relationships. The doctoral program reflects such beliefs by providing experiences to analyze and implement effective working relationships with colleagues, students, and parents from diverse backgrounds.
Instruction
Doctoral training in Specialized Education Services (SES) builds upon advanced skills in special education to serve demands in an era of increased accountability and complex service delivery. Therefore, doctoral students will expand their knowledge base by developing and designing effective instruction, building active learning communities via internet and expanding learners’ performance and motivation to challenging levels.
Research
The ability to conduct research is a key skill for leaders in the field of special education. Doctoral students in SES will be expected to become proficient and effective researchers. In doing so, they will have opportunities to interpret, design, and conduct research throughout their coursework. Research methodologies in special education include single-subject, quantitative, qualitative, program evaluation, and integrative. Research competencies will be developed by participation in collaborative activities with faculty and colleagues, such as, writing, conference presentations, teaching, staff development.
Doctoral Coursework
I. Doctoral Seminars in Special Education (15 credits)
- SES 750 Doctoral Studies in Special Education (3)
- SES 752 Interpersonal and Inter-organizational Collaboration (3)
- SES 754 Special Education Policy and Law (3)
- SES 756 Accountability in Special Education (3)
- SES 758 History and Future of Special Education (3)
II. Research/Inquiry (21 credit hours)
- ERM 680 Intermediate Statistical Methods in Education (3)
- ERM 681 Design and Analysis of Educational Experiments (3)
- ERM 642 Evaluation of Educational Program (3)
- CUI 730 Qualitative Methods in Education (3) OR Alternative course in qualitative research methods
- SES 760 Single Subject Research Design (3)
- SES 775 Directed Research (6)
III. Professional Practices (3-6 credit hours)
- SES 762 Supervision of Student Teaching: Specialized Education (3)
- SES 764 College Teaching (3)
- SES 749 Internship in Special Education (3)
- Depending on student program goals, student enrolls in one or two of the above course for a total of 3-6 credits.
IV. Specialization (15-21 credit hours)
- Coursework with an area of expertise complementary to professional goals and in consultation with Doctoral Committee.
V. Dissertation (12 credits)
- SES 799 Dissertation in Specialized Education
Admission Requirements
The following information is required for application to the SES doctoral program. Because the program is competitive, individual interviews may be conducted with applicants under final consideration.
- Application Form
- Statement of Intent
- 3 Letters of Reference
- GRE scores
- Academic transcripts
- Resume or Vitae
- Masters in special education or related field (e.g., LD, BED, Deaf education, Early childhood, and others)
- International students must also submit TOEFL scores
Financial Assistance
Scholarship opportunities are available through the School of Education. Grants awarded to faculty members in the department also offer potential opportunities for financial support. For other opportunities, consult with the Director of Graduate Studies in SES.
Application Process for Doctoral Program in Specialized Education Services
To apply to the Doctoral Program in SES, the following information will need to be sent to the Graduate School:
- Application form (can be obtained from the Graduate School: 336-334-5596 or apply online
- Acceptable GRE scores (for information about taking the GRE, check with the Graduate School)
- Three letters of reference (it is preferable that at least one be from a University or College faculty member)
- Statement of Intent: This should include your career goals, rationale for applying to the program at UNCG, your research area of interest and whether you will be attending full or part-time. In addition to content, we will be looking at your writing style.
- Official Transcripts from other Universities you have attended
- Resume or Vita
Your application will not be complete nor will it be reviewed until all materials are included. It is recommended that all materials be sent at one time.
The application deadline is January 10.
The SES doctoral program is competitive and enrollment is limited. Therefore, after the initial review of all applications, prospective students may be invited to visit campus for an interview with program faculty.
Students accepted into the program will receive official notification by the Graduate School in writing. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships, and Graduate Assistantships will be awarded to full time students on a competitive basis.
For additional information:
Department of Specialized Education Services
P.O. Box 26170
UNCG
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Email: SES@uncg.edu
Phone: 334-5843 (Voice/TTY)
FAX: 334-4120 or 256-0185
Application Package:
Phone: (336) 334-5594
www.uncg.edu/grs
Email: inquiries@uncg.edu