What Is an Online Doctorate in Special Education Program?

Online doctorate programs in special education follow the same curriculum as traditional programs, including advancement opportunities in administration, higher education, or research. Online doctorate programs are ideal for students who require flexibility in their schooling due to work, family, or other commitments.

Taking the role of a special education teacher can also be rewarding. Common reasons people teach special education include student impact, job options, and enhanced teaching skills.

Special education teachers have the opportunity to help students facing learning challenges. Teachers with a doctorate in special education can also venture into various areas within this specialized field. Additionally, special education classrooms provide teachers with the opportunity to improve their organizational skills, resourcefulness, and patience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2020 median annual wage for special education teachers was $61,420.

Students are required to have a master's degree from an accredited university for most online special education doctorate programs. The master's degree must be in a related field to be accepted. Special education teachers may have a Master of Education, Master of Science, or Master of Arts degree. Some programs may only accept students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students may also have to submit Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Additionally, some online special education doctoral programs require a minimum number of years of professional experience in education.

Applicants may also need personal references and letters of recommendation. In addition, some schools may require additional standardized test scores besides the GRE, professional writing samples, or a research proposal that discusses research interests and career goals.

Just as programs vary between schools, coursework in online special education doctorate programs varies depending on the type of degree. Ed.D. programs typically offer classes covering leadership and policy changes within educational settings. Ph.D. programs, on the other hand, focus on research and developing special education programs.

Students can choose between two types of doctorate degrees, and their selection will depend on their career goals. Students who want a more practical and interdisciplinary approach to special education may consider an Ed.D. Students in Ph.D. programs often teach during their programs to gain experience and earn funding for their research. Both programs offer concentrations so students can specialize in certain disabilities.

Students may take between 60 and 120 credits during their online doctorate program. In addition, there are various topics that are typically covered in special education programs, such as administration, leadership, law and finance, special education curriculum, and methods of teaching.

How Long is an Online Doctoral Special Education Program?

Similar to online doctorate programs in education, online special education programs can take three to four years to complete. Ph.D. programs may take slightly longer than Ed.D. programs. Part-time students may take longer to complete their online doctorate program. It may take up to seven years for students to earn their doctorate.

There are various courses that students may take during their online special education doctoral programs. Many programs offer various areas of specialization, such as autism spectrum disorder or certain learning disabilities. Students who specialize in autism may research the educational and personal needs of autistic children, and the successful teaching methods used in this field. Students who are aiming to earn an Ed.D. may concentrate on policy and administration, and would take courses in special education policies and processes to enact change.

Some common concepts include:

• Child Development
• Classroom Management
• Mild to Moderate Disabilities
• Lesson Planning and Development
• Instructional Strategies

Some examples of courses typically offered in these programs are as follows:

Introduction to Special Education

Introduction to special education is a common course that introduces students to special education's historical and legal background. Students learn to identify specific characteristics of children who have learning, physical, behavioral, mental, and sensory disorders. Students may also learn how to identify children with savant-like qualities or extreme talents. Some programs may also cover legal issues and discrimination against students with special needs in this course.

School Law

Complex state and federal laws govern public schools. Students learn about these laws and ones that focus on protecting students with special needs in classrooms. Students may also learn about homeschooling laws and student rights in the classroom. Understanding school law is essential for anyone who teaches special education.

Learning Disabilities

While most students may take this course as part of a general overview, this course is essential to students who are pursuing a specialized focus on specific learning disabilities. There are various learning disabilities that can impact a child's learning. Students may learn to identify different learning disabilities and how to develop accommodations for those students. Students also examine the impact of learning disabilities on behavior and engagement.

Educational Psychology

Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that is concerned with the scientific study of human learning. It focuses on the processes of childhood development and learning. This course covers techniques in how to assist in student learning and how to identify developmental concerns. It is important for special education teachers to understand educational psychology enough to help children with special needs succeed in the classroom.

Students who wish to concentrate in an area of interest may want to consider earning an Ed.D. in special education over a Ph.D. An Ed.D. in special education often allows students to pick a concentration. Students can choose from a variety of specializations, including:

• Behavior analysis
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Emotional and behavioral disorders
• Learning disabilities, both high- and low- incidence
• Early intervention
• Severe disabilities
• Trauma-informed education

Students may also want to work at certain levels in the educational system, from preschool to high school.

Some online doctoral programs do not use the phrase "special education" in the title of the degree, but still address special student communities, such as Ed.Ds. in:

• Gifted Education
• Autism Education
• Intellectual Disability Education
• Learning Disability Education
• Deaf Education

Some concentrations in online doctoral programs in special education may prepare students for national certifications or endorsements. Also, many online doctoral programs include electives so students can customize their degrees to maximize their potential.

Most special education doctoral programs require students to complete a dissertation. Dissertations are long research projects that must be completed prior to graduation. While most programs require a dissertation, some programs have alternative research projects in their place. Students can pick from a large range of topic selections. The dissertation is the toughest part of doctoral programs, as it is intensive and stressful.

The basic process of a dissertation is:

• Choosing a topic and research questions
• Researching the topic and questions
• Write the dissertation
• Revise
• Present findings to a panel

Many students choose their research project topic early in the program, once they have found an area of interest. After choosing a topic, students have to gather a committee of professors to help guide research for the dissertation and answer questions.

During the most difficult part of creating a dissertation, students must research, analyze and interpret their research, then begin writing. Once the dissertation is complete, students present it to the committee of professors and defend their findings. Typically, the presentation is done in person rather than online. Following the presentation, the committee decides the grade of the student's dissertation.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an online doctorate program in special education. Students should pick a program that aligns with their personal, academic, and career goals, such as:

• Degree type
• Accreditation
• Online or hybrid format
• Open enrollment
• Specializations

Students should thoroughly research schools and admission requirements before applying. It is essential to ensure that the program offers courses that are best suited to students' areas of interest and career aspirations. Students also need to decide if they want a Ph.D. or an Ed.D., as the degrees prepare students for different paths in special education.

Not all schools offer every program or specialization in special education, so researching the best doctoral degrees in education is essential to finding the right school. Some programs may not have a certain specialization but offer something similar under a different name, such as "education administration" sometimes being referred to as "educational leadership."

Students should also consider how long the program will take to complete and whether they can attend part-time. Many students taking doctoral programs online have work or family commitments that denies them full-time availability.

After finding some possible choices, students should calculate tuition costs and research financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Programs that a student can afford and are aligned with their goals is often the best program to choose.

Accreditation is an important consideration for students pursuing a career in special education. Students need to choose programs that have current and valid national and regional accreditation that proves that the program meets elite standards.

Accreditation is important to students because it shows that a program offers elite, quality education as online programs become more prevalent, fake online schools with fake accrediting agencies are popping up. Students should check with the US Department of Education's website to ensure that a program has a reliable and recognized accreditation.

Accreditation also looks good on a resume. Potential employers take into consideration what school candidates attend. Employers look for graduates who hold degrees from accredited institutions. Applicants with a degree from an accredited special education program are more likely to be hired than an applicant who did not attend an accredited program.

Further, students who are attending an accredited doctoral program in special education can transfer credits to another institution should they transfer. Most schools do not accept transfer credits from an unaccredited university.

The overall employment rate for special education teachers is expected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its growth rate is about average when compared to all occupations.

Demand for special education teachers is driven by the early identification of disabilities and enrollment of children with disabilities into special education programs. Special education teachers usually do not need to worry about employment layoff threats, as federal laws require that every state maintains the same level of financial support for special education per year. Employment growth is dependent on funding.

Different specializations have different employment growth rates, with some having a faster rate than average.

Preschool Special Education Teacher

Preschool special education teachers teach preschool-level subjects to students with physical or intellectual disabilities. Some preschool special education teachers may also be expected to test and diagnose children with disabilities.

The projected employment rate for special education teachers in preschool settings is expected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029 according to the BLS, much faster than the average rate for all occupations and the fastest rate for special education teachers from preschool to high school. The BLS also reports that the median annual wage for preschool special education teachers was $61,400 in May 2020.

It is also a small occupation, with only about 1,900 new jobs expected over the ten-year period from 2019 to 2029, as also reported by the BLS. Special education teachers will need to acquire state certification to work in preschools.

Elementary School Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers working in elementary school settings work with students who have developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities. Similar to preschool special education teachers, they may need to identify students with special needs.

The projected employment rate for elementary special education teachers is expected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS, about the average for all occupations. The median salary of elementary school special education teachers was $60,620 in 2020, as reported by the BLS.

The BLS also reports that elementary school special education teachers can expect 5,600 new jobs to be added over the ten-year period from 2019 to 2029. Special education teachers will also need to acquire state certification to work in kindergartens or elementary schools.

Middle School and High School Special Education Teacher

Middle school special education teachers work with students who have physical or intellectual disabilities. They teach middle school subjects to these students, as well as academic and life skills. Some teachers may have specializations within middle schools and work with students who have vision or hearing impairments.

High school special education teachers focus less on identifying students and more on preparing students for the adult world. Some teachers may continue working with students until they turn 21.

The employment rate for middle school and high school special education teachers is expected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, as projected by the BLS. The BLS also reports that the 2020 median salary was $61,820 for middle school teachers and $62,320 for high school teachers.

The BLS also reports that special education teachers in middle schools can expect 2,200 new jobs to be added over the ten-year period from 2019 to 2029, while high school special education teachers can expect 4,600 new jobs to be added. Special education teachers will also need to acquire state certification to work in middle schools and high schools.

Special Education Administrator

Special education administrators supervise their school's special education program. Some typical duties include:

• Setting academic standards for special education students
• Establishing policies and procedures
• Mediating disputes
• Ensuring that state and federal laws are met
• Overseeing special education faculty and staff

The job outlook for special education administrators usually grows at a higher rate than management rates in other industries. According to the BLS, the projected employment rate for special education administration from 2019 to 2029 is expected to grow 4% across elementary, middle, and high school administrators, or as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS also reports that the median annual salary for elementary, middle, and high school administrators was $98,490 in 2020.

Special education administrators can expect 11,100 new jobs to be added over the ten-year period from 2019 to 2029, according to the BLS. Special education administrators will likely need to have previous teaching experience, and also be able to obtain a state license and administrator's license in order to work in public schools.

Those who want to specialize in special education administration may want to consider an online doctorate in education administration, which prepares educators for positions of leadership.

Many employers require special educators to also hold a certification. These programs may take a year to complete, with most courses being entirely online.

Additionally, special educators may also receive a voluntary credential from the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Candidates must have at least a master's degree in education and some prerequisite courses. Another voluntary credential is the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification that is offered to professionals with at least three years of experience in educational systems. This credential can help with employment or advancement within careers.

All special education teachers are required to have state licensure to teach. Requirements for the license vary by state, but common requirements include holding at least a bachelor's degree in special education and completion of the teacher preparation program. Some states may require specialized training, experience, and a master's degree. Special educators also need to hold a teaching license, which usually aligns with the requirements for state licensure.

Graduates will also need a separate license for special education administration. Requirements for the educational administrator license will vary by state, but students will likely need to hold a master's degree, have completed the teacher preparation program, and have classroom experience.

Doctorate degree programs can be expensive, as tuition costs can range from $560 to $780 per credit. To cover costs and fees, students can apply for financial aid in several ways.

Students may apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are various eligibility requirements that students need to meet to receive financial aid. For example, students need to be a US citizen or eligible noncitizen, be enrolled as a student in eligible programs, be able to demonstrate a need for financial aid, and meet other additional requirements.

Students can also apply for as many scholarships as needed. There are several scholarships that relate directly to special education, such as the TEACH grant program that provides up to $4,000 to students who are completing coursework to begin a career in teaching. The TEACH grant gives extra consideration to those that are planning to enter special education fields.

There are also many scholarships available for other demographics, such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, and religion. Students who have a high GPA, are affiliated with the military, or have physical disabilities can apply for related scholarships. Students may also be able to obtain tuition assistance through their employer, where available.