A doctor in special education can work in a variety of settings and can hold a range of leadership positions. For example, they can work as a professor at a university or provide consultation services to teachers and parents.
Special education is a broad field. Special education teachers work with children who have any type of physical, emotional, intellectual or learning disability. Some special educators also teach gifted students with exceptional abilities. Special education teachers may provide instruction in a resource room, which is a special classroom for students who need extra help but will return to the regular classroom for some courses; in a self-contained classroom; in the student’s home; or in hospitals or institutions.
They work with students individually and in groups to review material, teach information and study skills, and discuss issues related to the students’ disabilities. They also consult with parents, other teachers, counselors and administrators to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that detail goals and objectives specific to each student’s needs.
Some special educators teach students at every grade level, including preschool through high school. Others specialize in one age group. They might work with deaf or hearing-impaired students and use sign language to communicate. Other special educators might focus on behavioral disorders or autism spectrum disorders.
A good doctor in Special Education is someone who is responsible for providing special-needs students with an education to the best of their ability. A doctor who specializes in Special Education will also work with parents, teachers, and other professionals to help guide the student in their educational development.
There are currently five online doctoral programs in special education. These programs prepare practitioners for careers as special education researchers, administrators, policymakers, and faculty members. The following guide explores the admissions requirements and coursework involved in special education doctoral programs.
Doctoral degrees in education are available at a variety of schools, including public and private universities. Most programs require a master’s degree for admission and may allow students to transfer some graduate credits from their previous program.
Programs may also include a residency requirement for students to complete on-campus or at an approved research facility. Several years of teaching experience is typically required for admission to a doctoral program in special education. While most institutions do not require test scores, they may be weighed during the admissions process if submitted with an application.
In this article we’ll take a look at some of the best doctoral programs in special education online. We’ve also included information on what skills you need to be successful in this field and which careers are available once you receive your degree.
Doctoral programs in special education online are most often offered as a PhD in Special Education. Some schools also offer an EdD, or Doctor of Education, with a specialization in special education. The PhD is typically considered more research-oriented, while the EdD is considered more practice-oriented. In either case, programs are designed to prepare you for leadership positions where you can affect change in the field of special education.
Online doctorate degrees in special education are usually offered at the level of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and prepare students for teaching and research careers at the postsecondary level. Depending on which school you choose, you may also have the opportunity to complete your degree entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus instruction. In addition, some schools offer a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration or specialization in special education.
Doctoral programs in special education emphasize theoretical learning and research, as well as practical application. Students will examine current best practices for teaching students with disabilities, as well as new developments and innovations in the field. They will complete a series of courses in areas such as educational psychology, language disorders, learning theories, human development, curriculum design and assessment. Students are also generally required to conduct original research on a topic of their choice and complete an internship or field experience before graduating.
Students who want to pursue a graduate degree in special education can earn a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education or a Ph.D. in Special Education. Both programs give students the ability to teach and conduct research in special education, but the Ph.D. program focuses more on research than EdD does.
A doctoral program in special education will prepare students for research and teaching positions at universities, government organizations and private research firms. In addition to taking classes, students usually complete fieldwork and a dissertation that is relevant to their area of expertise.