Doctoral Degree in Special Education

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the only doctoral degree available in the Department, which prepares students for a variety of career options. The Ph.D. is a research degree, structured to provide students with both academic and practical experiences in conducting research in university settings and other research environments. The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a theoretically based piece of original research that contributes to the knowledge base in special education.

Areas of Concentration

All doctoral students must complete requirements for a concentration in one of the following areas:

• Autism and Developmental Disabilities
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Learning Disabilities/Behavior Disorders
• Equity & Diversity in Special Education

Major Components of the Doctoral Degree Program of Work

The program of work must:

• Have a minimum of 30 semester hours of advanced coursework, including a minimum of 6 hours of dissertation;
• Include only courses taken within the past six years;
• Include coursework that is sufficient in academic breadth/depth.

The doctoral program concentration areas generally require three to four years of full-time study or the equivalent of 54-57 credit hours beyond the Master's degree. The Program of Work consists of requirements in each of the following core areas. The Program of Work consists of requirements in each of the following core areas.

• Specialization Core provides students with specialized expertise through advanced coursework and collaboration with faculty in their chosen area of concentration; is intended to complement each student’s specialist training by providing contemporary content and emerging trends across a range of special education (accomplished by completing coursework in at least one other area of concentration within the department); and consists of elective coursework in a related discipline outside the Department of Special Education that complements the major areas of study.
• Research Core includes coursework in quantitative and qualitative methodology, single-subject design, measurement and evaluation, and other research content. The core is intended to provide the knowledge and skills related to the design, conduct, and evaluation of research related to individuals with disabilities.
• Professional Core focuses on developing professional skills related to the areas of research, teaching, and service.
• Dissertation must be an original contribution to scholarship and the result of independent investigation in the major area. The Dissertation Committee must approve the Dissertation.
• Professional Activities Beyond Coursework . In addition to coursework, all students are expected to become actively involved in a variety of professional activities across these core areas (e.g., research, supervision of student teachers, presentation at professional conferences, submitting manuscripts for publication, teaching at the undergraduate level).

Concentrations consist of a core doctoral experience plus a specialized concentration in one of the following four areas: Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Learning Disabilities/Behavior Disorders, or Equity & Diversity in Special Education.

The Academic Adviser and Graduate Adviser approve each student’s Program of Work. 

All coursework must be selected in consultation with, and approved by, your Academic Adviser. These general requirements for the doctoral degree set a minimum standard.

*Please note that concentration areas may require additional courses and/or experiences (see Doctoral Requirements by Core Areas)

Designing Your Doctoral Program of Work (POW)

Within the first semester of your doctoral studies during advising or another time arranged with your Academic Adviser, you and your Academic Adviser should develop a Program of Work that meets the Office of Graduate Studies and Departmental requirements for a doctoral degree. This POW will serve as a guide for you as you work on your degree and should be updated to reflect any changes you make as you proceed through the course of study. Meet with your Academic Adviser, develop and complete the POW, have it signed by your Academic Adviser, and submit electronically a signed copy to the Graduate Coordinator

Program of Work Form

Policies Related to Coursework Included in the Program of Work

The following policies are important to keep in mind as you design your Program of Work and select courses to fulfill degree requirements:

• Only three independent study courses may be counted on the doctoral Program of Work. These would generally be credited under the "Specialization Core," except in unique circumstances.
• Courses offered by the Graduate School (GS) may be included in the Interdisciplinary Core only with the approval of your academic adviser.
• You may be advised to take additional coursework to fulfill prerequisites in your areas of study, based on your prior training and experience.
• Graduate courses taken at other institutions may be counted on your doctoral Program of Work provided they have been approved by your Academic Adviser and the department’s Graduate Studies Committee.
• All completed coursework that is included in a student's degree POW at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum three years of documented military service).

Transfer of Credits from Another Institution or from the UT Austin Department of Special Education Master's Program

According to the Graduate Catalog, “No formal petition is necessary for coursework from other institutions to be used on the doctoral Program of Work, but use of the Program of Work is subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.” If you have completed graduate coursework, which you believe should be counted toward your doctoral Program of Work (either from another institution or the UT Austin Department of Special Education master's program), discuss these courses with your Academic Adviser. You must submit copies of the course syllabus and official information from the institution’s catalog (e.g., indicating the graduate standing of the course[s]). Your Academic Adviser then must present these courses to the Graduate Studies Committee for final approval.