Special Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Program Information

Program Overview

The goal of the doctoral program in special education at Texas Tech University is to prepare leadership personnel to help shape the future of special education. The doctoral program in special education focuses on outcomes that will prepare graduates in the areas of research, teacher education, and program development and evaluation.

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Doctor of Education in Special Education Program of Studies

Cores Credit Hours
Tool Courses 21
College Foundations 6
Special Education 21
Additional Coursework in Special Education 24
Interdisciplinary 6
Dissertation 12 (min.)
Total 90

Detailed Program Requirements

Doctoral Advisory Committee

  • Established with a minimum of THREE members
  • Establishment of the "Program for the Doctoral Degree"
  • Advise in dissertation topic, qualifying examination procedures, and doctoral internship

Doctoral Internship

  • Minimum of THREE semester hours
  • At least ONE semester in length
  • Possible sites for internships may include, but are not limited to:
    • college or university special education programs
    • educational research agencies or organization
    • education service centers or other public school agencies
    • social service organizations related to special education
  • Roles of Texas Tech in supervision of the doctoral intern
  • Evaluation Criteria

Qualifying Examination

  • Contains questions in the field of special education
  • Examination Length: 8 hours
  • Evaluated by student’s advisory committee

Application for Candidacy

A recommendation for candidacy is forwarded to the Graduate School by the chairperson of the advisory committee after the student passes the qualifying examination. The student will have four years to complete the dissertation after admission to candidacy by the Graduate Council.

Dissertation and Oral Defense

After successfully passing the doctoral qualifying examination, the student is eligible to present a formal proposal for the dissertation research to the doctoral advisory committee and other interested faculty. An oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled when the research has been completed and is ready for presentation.

Residency Requirement

  • One year of residency is required (registration as a full-time student for two consecutive fall and spring semesters with at least 12 semester hours during each term; or
  • Three consecutive full summers of at least 9 weeks each while earning at least 9 semester hours of graduate credit during each summer; or
  • A full summer term of 12 weeks, earning 12 semester hours of graduate credit plus the completion of at least 12 semester hours of graduate credit during the adjacent spring or fall semester; or
  • For students holding half-time graduate assistantships or students involved for no more than half-time in other work closely related to the doctoral study, 9 semester hours in each of the long terms and at least 6 semester hours in the preceding or subsequent summer.

Program Assessment Plan

Phase 1

Purpose: The candidate will develop the knowledge and skills needed to develop a high quality intervention research proposal.

Assessment: After completion of the Phase 1 courses, the candidate will submit an intervention research proposal to their doctoral committee.

Phase 2

Purpose: The candidate will demonstrate the ability to conduct a pilot intervention study and disseminate the results professionally.

Assessment: During the Phase 2 courses, the candidate will conduct a pilot intervention research study and present to their committee in their last semester of course work, the findings in the form of a submission-ready manuscript or completed presentation as the qualifying examination.

Phase 3

Purpose: The candidate will demonstrate the ability to complete a request for funding based on a dissertation proposal including a budget and budget narrative.

Assessment: After admission to candidacy, the candidate will prepare a dissertation research proposal (Chapters 1, 2, & 3) as well as a grant application for a Summer Dissertation Research Award and present the proposal and grant application to their committee.

Detailed Program Assessment Plan

Useful Resources

Additional Information