Ph.D. - Special Education

The Department of Special Education admits new doctoral students each year.  Each candidate works closely with an adviser to develop an integrated course of study toward individual goals reflecting his or her interests.  Students may specialize in their doctoral program by taking classes and conducting research in their areas of interest. Generally, a doctoral candidate completes a minimum of 32 graduate hours of coursework in the major subject area and at least 4 hours, but no more than 32 hours of thesis research credit.  Doctoral students typically complete the program in three or four years of full-time residents study. 

In addition students must fulfill the Ph.D. Research Specialization Requirements.  Information regarding the Ph.D. Research Specialization Requirements can be found at www.ed.uiuc.edu/saao/phd_research_specialization.html.

Early Research Requirements: All Ph.D. students conduct and present an educational research study prior to taking qualifying exams and beginning work on a dissertation. More specifics on requirements for the program from the College of Education can be found at: www.ed.uiuc.edu/saao/handbooks/GHandbook.html. More information on the Department of Special Education Doctoral Program Requirements can be found in the Doctoral Advisement Manual.