PhD in Special Education

The Ph.D. in Special Education is for students who want to lead the way in special education, Deaf education, or early intervention (i.e., birth through kindergarten early childhood special education).

Students who enroll in this program enhance their knowledge of learners with disabilities, such as learning disabilities, behavior and emotional disabilities, and mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Their dissertation will focus on a subject in one of three areas: early childhood, special education, or Deaf education.

Through their residency, plan of study, major research paper, and dissertation, they will shape the future of the field and improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.

Special Education Ph.D. Students Work With Top Educators

The world-class faculty in UNC Greensboro’s Department of Specialized Education Services are renowned for their clinical and research experience and their higher education leadership. They advance the knowledge within relevant fields such:

• Early childhood autism
• eCoaching and In Ear (Real Time) Coaching
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
• Parental perspectives
• Artificial Intelligence in education
• Social-emotional development in early childhood

In addition, the School of Education’s graduate programs consistently rank among the top in the nation and in the state.

• Niche.com named it one of Greensboro’s 2026 Best Colleges with Special Education and Teaching Degrees.
• The UNCG School of Education was named one of the nation’s “Top Graduate Schools of Education” by the U.S. News & World Report.

Students In the Special Education Ph.D. Program Experience

• The special education doctorate program requires a minimum of 69 credit hours beyond a master’s degree. These emphasize four areas:
  • Generating knowledge to help shape the future of the field
  • Sharing knowledge with others so that they can understand it and use it to improve their practice
  • Facilitating strong professional relationships through collaboration
  • Creating, interpreting, and implementing special education policy and procedures
• They will work closely with an advisor and advisory/dissertation committee to identify a set of courses and internship in a related area of interest. This course work may be in the areas of counseling, educational leadership, teacher education, early childhood, family studies, psychology, or others.
• Doctoral students receive preparation in quantitative, qualitative, single-subject designs, and mixed methods. Research apprenticeships provide opportunities for students to develop their skills.
• Sample courses include:
  • Issues and Trends in Special Education
  • Single Subject Research Design (SSRD)
  • Systematic Review of Special Education Literature
  • Coaching and Supervision of Teaching & Learning
  • College Teaching & Adult Learning Theory

After Graduating with a Ph.D. in Special Education

Graduates of the doctorate program leave ready to be researchers, teacher educators, staff developers, advocates, educational consultants, curriculum developers, and school administrators. Graduates from UNCG go on to the following careers:

• Consultant
• Teacher
• Early interventionist
• Special services administrator
• Special services advocate
• University or community college faculty member

School of Education Funding and Scholarships

The School of Education is committed to ensuring students can focus on their studies, not debt. It regularly awards over $1,000,000 in scholarships and Graduate Assistantships each year. It organizes graduate-level funding according to three broad categories:

• The Haggai Academy
• Fellowships
• Graduate Assistantships