Professional Core Courses

SED 695S A and B Professional Seminar

The professional seminar is designed to introduce the student to the UT Austin Department of Special Education faculty, the doctoral program, and other university resources that are available to support one's doctoral study. The course provides a forum for new students to become familiar with the areas of study, research, and professional practice within special education. As part of the foundation for a successful doctoral experience, students also refine their professional writing and communication skills, critically evaluate current and emerging research in the field, and examine the historical, legal, and theoretical foundations of special education. The course spans two semesters (Fall and Spring respectively), culminating in six semester hours of credit (SED 695SA and 695SB). A course grade is assigned at the end of each semester.

SED 696 A and B Research Mentoring

Research mentoring is a two-semester sequence and culminates in six semester hours of credit (SED 696A and B). The courses are taken on a credit/no credit basis and will need to successfully complete SED 696A before enrolling in SED 696 B. The Research Mentoring sequence is designed to develop the knowledge and skills one will need to conduct research, and also comprises a component of the department’s qualifying examination process for advancement to doctoral candidacy. In order to enroll in SED696A you must have completed all concentration requirements or be enrolled in any remaining concentration courses, or and have at least 9 hours of coursework in research design and data analysis.

You should plan to enroll in the Research Mentoring sequence in your last two semesters of required coursework and after identifying the likely topic of your dissertation research. During research mentoring, you have the opportunity to work closely with your Research Mentoring Supervisor (typically your Academic Adviser or another faculty member who has agreed to serve in this role and is likely to continue as your dissertation supervisor) to develop a synthesis of the professional literature about a topic in which you are interested in pursuing research. Students usually focus their study during this course on reviewing and analyzing the target literature, writing the literature synthesis, and formulating implications for research, including preliminary research questions, and the significance of the proposed research. Please note that summer enrollment for Research Mentoring is contingent upon faculty availability. You are encouraged to consult with your Research Mentoring Supervisor to determine if summer enrollment is advisable, depending on his/her availability and the likelihood that faculty members will be available to serve on the Research Mentoring Committee.

During the first research-mentoring semester, you are required to submit an abstract of your chosen topic, which summarizes the work to be accomplished, to your Research Mentoring Supervisor. At the end of this semester a draft will be submitted to your Research Mentoring Supervisor, who will read and evaluate the literature synthesis, and assign a grade of credit/no credit. The results of this evaluation will guide your activities the following semester, during Research Mentoring B, which involves revising the literature synthesis and defending it in an Oral Qualifying Examination before the Research Mentoring Committee. The Research Mentoring Committee consists of your Research Mentoring Supervisor and two other faculty members assigned to the Committee by the Graduate Adviser. At this time, the committee will evaluate your readiness for doctoral candidacy, including knowledge of subject matter in the core areas of the doctoral program (coursework you have completed in your specialization, professional, and research core areas). It is anticipated that this literature synthesis may be included in REVISED FORM as part of Chapters 1 and 2 of the Dissertation meaning you may use the literature included in your synthesis as you write Chapters 1 and 2. Upon successful completion of the Research Mentoring sequence and all other program requirements, you may advance to doctoral candidacy. Please see additional information and timelines for Research Mentoring A and B in Appendix G.

IMPORTANT GPA REQUIREMENT: Department policy regarding the doctoral degree requires students to earn at least a ‘B’ (not a B-; GPA 3.00) in all courses in the concentration, content, professional, and research core areas.

In the professional core, if students earn a grade of B- or below on a course, they are required to retake the same course to earn a B or better.
In the specialization core, if students earn a grade of B- or below on a course, they are required to retake a course that is comparable to the one in which the B- was earned. Students may retake the same course.
In the research core, if students earn a grade of B- or below on a course, they are required to retake a research course that is comparable to the one in which the B- was earned. Students may retake the same course.

All courses required for the doctoral degree must be taken for a letter grade, except for the research mentoring and dissertation coursework, which are offered on a credit/no credit basis.