PhD Special Education at University of Kansas

Programme overview

Special Education Doctoral Program The mission of the doctoral program in special education is to prepare civically-committed scholars who, through rigorous and relevant research and transformational interventions, address significant educational and social problems in ways that advance education, social policy, research, care giving, and public service to enhance the quality of life of persons of all ages with disabilities and their families.

Faculty: School of Education & Human Sciences | Department: Education and Human Sciences› | Duration: 18 credit hours | Location: Lawrence, KS, United States

What you will study

In the first 3 years of the program, students typically take 3 courses per fall and spring semester. In addition to the special education core courses, students complete course work in a topic of interest, 15 hours of Research Skills, and a dissertation based on original research.

Career pathways

Each cohort consists of students with diverse interests and career goals.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to Ph.D. in Special Education at KU Individuals applying to the Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Kansas must have relevant professional training, usually represented by undergraduate and graduate degrees in special and/or general education or a related field. Applicants are usually expected to have at least three years of professional experience teaching in public schools or related work in agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. Both formal education and experience in the field help to demonstrate the foundational knowledge necessary to develop expertise in special education.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms follow the KU academic calendar; the application for first-year and transfer students is submitted through the KU application portal (go2.ku.edu). The fall freshman scholarship deadline is Dec. 1, the FAFSA priority deadline is Feb. 1 and the fall transfer scholarship deadline is Aug. 1.

Graduate application fee: $65 domestic degree-seeking, $100 international degree-seeking; waivers available. Requirements and deadlines are set by each programme.

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