Education, PhD - Specialization in Special Education
The PhD in Education - Special Education specialization prepares leaders in research, teaching, administration, and supervision for the variety of professional needs facing children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
Program Structure
The program requires a minimum of 85 credits of study beyond the baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 55 credits beyond the master's degree. However, an individual's program typically requires 10 more credits depending on the person's goals, program requirements, and previous preparation. Students have five years to complete all course work and the portfolio reviews. Five additional years are allowed to complete the dissertation. Most students complete the entire program in five or six years.
Course Work
General Culture (3 credits)
- EDUC 800: Ways of Knowing (3 credit hours) ( OR EFHP860. EFHP 860 is for Kinesiology concentration students only. Other students should select EDUC 800. Course should be taken 1st semester.)
Research Methods (15 credits)
- EDRS 810: Problems and Methods in Education Research (3 credit hours) (2nd semester)
- EDRS 811: Quantitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 812: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credit hours)
- Choose two from below:
- EDRS 818: Critical Discourse Analysis in Education Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 820: Evaluation Methods for Educational Programs and Curricula (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 821: Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 822: Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 823: Advanced Research Methods in Single Subject/Case Design (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 824: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 825: Advanced Research Methods in Self-Study of Professional Practice (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 826: Qualitative Case Study Methods (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 827: Introduction to Measurement and Survey Development (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 828: Item Response Theory (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 830: Hierarchical Linear Modeling (3 credit hours) *
- EDRS 831: Structural Equation Modeling (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 832: Document Analysis and Archival Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 833: Participatory Action Research (3 credit hours)
- EDRS 897: Special Topics in Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Professional Specialization (24 credits)
- EDSE 841: Evaluating Intervention Research (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 842: Application of Research Standards for Individuals with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 843: Leading Change in Special Education and Disability Policy (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 844: Current Issues in Special Education (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 845: Personnel Preparation Programs in Special Education (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 846: Assessment, Evaluation, and Instrumentation in Special Education Research (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 847: Policy-driven Initiatives in Special Education and Disability Research (3 credit hours)
- EDSE 885: Writing Grants (3 credit hours)
Secondary Emphasis (12 credits)
Students have a number of options for secondary concentrations including concentrations within the Graduate School of Education, within other George Mason University departments, interdisciplinary concentrations, or using the master's degree as part of the secondary concentration requirements.
Dissertation (12 credits)
- EDUC 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (3 credits)
- EDUC 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research (9 credits)
Portfolio
Students complete an educational portfolio as part of the requirement of the Ph.D. program. The portfolio is an organized, selective collection of documents designed to facilitate a student's academic and professional development, and to provide a basis for evaluation of degree progress. The portfolio represents the scope and depth of a student's goals, plans, and accomplishments in coursework, independent study, research, internships, and other advanced learning activities. The portfolio thus provides both a vehicle for self-reflection and a comprehensive record of a doctoral student's experiences and ongoing progress toward academic and professional goals.