Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Special Education, Doctor in Education (EdD)

The doctoral program is a 60 credit degree program. For some students, transfer credits will be accepted toward these 60 credits. A maximum of 12 transfer credits, with no more than 6 credits in any one core, will be accepted. Approval from the doctoral coordinator is required for all transfer credits. Transcript reviews will be completed the semester prior to the start of the cohort.  All decisions are final.  Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. An earned grade of D in any course will not count toward degree completion.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum associated with Slippery Rock University’s Doctoral Program in Special Education is intended to accomplish the following learning outcomes:

  1. Develop students as effective educational leaders with both content knowledge and research skills to support the development of research-based practices in educational systems throughout the Nation and the world.

  2. Develop highly-qualified faculty and administrators to teach and lead in institutions of higher education.

  3. Develop students as facilitators of research and demonstration initiatives with school divisions, post-secondary institutions, and other community, state, national, and international agencies and associations that link graduate education initiatives to educational improvement and economic development.

Related Links

Special Education, EdD Program Page

Special Education Department Page

Special Education EdD Fact Sheet

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

Research Requirement
Select 12 credits of the following:12
Univariate Statistical Methods
Elements of Qualitative Education
Elements of Quantitative Educational Research
Applied Behavior Analysis/Single-Subject Experimental Design I
Research in ABA
Subtotal12
Content And Leadership Requirement
Select 18 credits of the following:18
Legal Issues and Special Populations
Contemporary Issues in Special Education
Program Development for Students with ASD
Instructional Technologies for Exceptional Learners
School Supervision: Community and Political Leadership
School Supervision: Instructional Leadership
Advocacy and Family, School and Community Engagement
Instructional Design: Principles and Practice
Subtotal18
Special Education Requirement
Select at least 15 credits of the following:15
Special Education Foundations
Legal Issues and Special Populations
Positive Classroom Interventions
Applied Behavior Analysis Single-Subject Experimental Design II
Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities
Contemporary Issues in Special Education
Program Development for Students with ASD
Communication and Social Competency for Students with ASD
Neuropsychiatric Disorders of Childhood
Instructional Technologies for Exceptional Learners
School Supervision: Community and Political Leadership
School Supervision: Instructional Leadership
Advocacy and Family, School and Community Engagement
Instructional Design: Principles and Practice
Subtotal15
Dissertation Core
SPED 881Dissertation Seminar3
SPED 899Dissertation12
Subtotal15
Total Hours60

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

Major Code: 9DSE