Online and Distance Learning

This page is about special education doctoral programs and how they can prepare you for various career choices.  It provides more detail about the field, the prospects after graduation and where you can take the programs. 

Why take special education doctoral programs online?

To work in special education can mean several things.  For example, it can mean teaching students who are learning disabled or developmentally challenged, to help them acquire education and life skills.  Or it can mean teaching students who are gifted and talented. It can also mean working as a special education leader to advocate and change systems, or as a superintendent to lead an institution.  Or it can mean working as an academic or a researcher in special education.

Special education doctoral programs provide an excellent means to obtain the requisite knowledge and skills, and to qualify for any aspect of this rewarding area.  Many students who take this specialization are already licensed teachers and are seeking to move into special education teaching or administration.  These graduate special education programs are also popular with special education teachers who wish to specialize in a particular aspect of special education. 

The fact that these programs are available online makes them accessible without leaving employment.  If you prefer to study on-campus, check the information using the navigation links for On Campus Programs and On Campus Universities.

The following schools offer Doctor of Education or PhD special education programs:

• Capella University
  • PhD - Special Education Leadership

• Walden University
  • PhD in Education - Special Education

• Northcentral University - Graduate
  • EdD - Exceptional Student Education
  • PhD in Education - Exceptional Student Education

To find other programs, please use the search form provided above.

What do special education doctoral programs online contain?

Doctoral level programs present an opportunity for in-depth study of a topic of interest or useful for your chosen path in special education. 

A special education doctoral program for someone interested in teaching would typically include course work on some of the following: educational psychology; child development; adapting the curriculum; management of disruptive behavior; use of technology in the classroom; dealing disabilities; discipline; behavioral management; counseling.

Students who choose to specialize in educational administration or perhaps pursue a PhD in special education leadership (such as that offered by Capella University) would take course work in instructional strategies, administration, law, and finance.

What jobs do special education doctoral programs prepare you for?

The minimum qualification for a special education teaching job is a bachelor's degree in special education, but a masters is preferred.  In order to teach in a college of a university, you need to have a masters degree or more preferably a PhD.

As well as teaching in the government education sector, graduates of a doctorate special education also find employment in: training; teaching in the private sector; community services; and, in administration.  Online education programs also provide a base for further training in counseling and careers work.  Graduates also find work in development jobs and other non-profit organizations.

For more information

Click on this link for searching for schools and programs

If you don't find what you want here, try using the search facility on this site with special education doctoral programs as your search term.

Remember to request information about the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for a special education PhD program.