Ph.D. in Special Education

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Ph.D. in Special Education degree prepares the next generation of faculty members in the field of special education, with knowledge and skills in teaching, research and policy advocacy. The program provides instruction for preparing special education professionals to meet the diverse and complex needs of students with disabilities and their families, as well as strategies for developing programs that meet state licensure and accreditation requirements. The curriculum also provides students with a deep understanding of a range of different research methodologies and scholarly endeavors - including single case design, meta-analysis and grant proposal development - that are frequently expected of faculty in special education. Lastly, the program develops students’ policy advocacy skills to create future special education faculty who understand national, state and local policies that impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families design research that addresses questions that policymakers have about best practices in special education and share research findings with policymakers to improve policies designed to improve education and services for children and youth with disabilities. Students who graduate from the program will be prepared to develop and provide high-quality training to the next generation of special education teachers, conduct and disseminate rigorous research to inform the field, and advocate locally, nationally and internationally for the diverse and complex needs of students and individuals with disabilities and their families.

School of Education