Have a Hand in Shaping the Future of Special Education

Do more for those who depend on you.

You help special education students exceed their limits every day. Now it’s your turn to do the same. With an Ed.D in Special Education from NSU, bring new knowledge and leadership skills to hands-on student work.

Instruct teachers. Lead a school. Partner with families, teachers, principals and service providers to deliver the right support. This program focuses on helping you understand and address these real-world, practical workplace challenges.

The Ed.D. program is a better match than a Ph.D. for educators who want to focus on hands-on implementation versus research work. Our graduates build rewarding careers as special education teachers, university professors, mental/health/social services providers, and school or district office education administrators.

Who Should Apply

  • Practicing teachers, administrators, human service professionals, mental and healthcare providers and others working with individuals with disabilities.
  • Master’s degree graduates seeking their doctoral degree and deeper expertise in special education.
  • Candidates considering a traditional or online Ph.D. in special education who want to explore Ed.D. program benefits.

Take the next steps to success. Apply for NSU’s Ed.D. in Special Education.

Quick Facts

Tuition
Tuition for the degree program is $1,330 per credit hour.
Curriculum
NSU’s Ed.D. in Special Education is a minimum of 54 total credits to complete. Download the program brochure.
Delivery Options
Coursework for the Doctor of Education in Special Education is conducted entirely online, allowing you to earn your degree without work disruption or long commutes.
Application Deadlines
Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis for all graduate programs throughout the calendar year.

Earning Potential

Special Education Instructor $57,910 Average Salary Per Year

6% Projected Employment Growth

K-12 Principal $92,510 Average Salary Per Year

6% Projected Employment Growth

College or University Professor $75,430 Average Salary Per Year

13% Projected Employment Growth

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ed.D. in Special Education

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Orientation
DSO 8000
Doctoral Studies Orientation ( DSO 8000 )
Applied Dissertation Benchmarks (12 credits)
Credits
DISR 8966
Applied Dissertation 1: Prospectus ( DISR 8966 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8967
Applied Dissertation 2: Proposal Development ( DISR 8967 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8968
Applied Dissertation 3: Proposal ( DISR 8968 / Credits: 3 )
3
DISR 8969
Applied Dissertation 4: Applied Dissertation ( DISR 8969 / Credits: 3 )
3
Electives (6 credits)
Credits
EDD 8200
Leadership, Communication, and Technology ( EDD 8200 / Credits: 3 )
3
Choose one elective from a variety of special education courses ( / Credits: 3 )
3
Summer Institute**
FSC 8000
Summer Institute (Residency Requirement) ( FSC 8000 )
Continuing Dissertation Services***
ADS 8091
Applied Dissertation Services ( ADS 8091 )

Concentration Area Courses*

Required
Credits
SPED 8402
Families, Law, and Exceptionalities ( SPED 8402 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8405
Collaboration and Consultation ( SPED 8405 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8409
Multicultural Issues in Special Education ( SPED 8409 / Credits: 3 )
3
Special Education
Credits
SPED 8401
Special Education Law ( SPED 8401 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8403
Conferencing with Parents and Families ( SPED 8403 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8404
Organization and Administration of Special Education Programs ( SPED 8404 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8406
Transition: Career Development and Independent Living ( SPED 8406 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8407
Assessment and Evaluation of Special Needs: Cognitive Domains ( SPED 8407 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8408
Assessment and Evaluation: Behavioral and Clinical Domains ( SPED 8408 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8411
Critical Issues in Special Education Administration ( SPED 8411 / Credits: 3 )
3
Autism
Credits
SPED 8801
Advanced Topics in Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8801 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8802
Seminar in the Nature of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8802 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8803
Advanced Topics in Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8803 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8804
Advanced Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8804 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8805
Seminar in Professional Issues in Leading Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8805 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 8806
Special Topics Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( SPED 8806 / Credits: 3 )
3
Applied Behavior Analysis
Credits
SPED 9650
Behavioral Principles and Concepts ( SPED 9650 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 9655
Functional Behavioral Assessment ( SPED 9655 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 9660
Application of Applied Behavior Analysis in Education and Human Services ( SPED 9660 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 9665
Leadership and Ethical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis ( SPED 9665 / Credits: 3 )
3
SPED 9670
Ethical and Professional Conduct in Applied Behavior Analysis ( SPED 9670 / Credits: 3 )
3
Required Courses
Credits
RES 8100
The Nature of Knowing: Introduction to Research Methods ( RES 8100 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 9300
Methods of Inquiry ( RES 9300 / Credits: 3 )
3
Quantitative Research Track
Credits
RES 8911
Quantitative Research Design ( RES 8911 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8921
Quantitative Data Analysis ( RES 8921 / Credits: 3 )
3
Qualitative Research Track
Credits
RES 8916
Qualitative Research Design ( RES 8916 / Credits: 3 )
3
RES 8926
Qualitative Data Analysis ( RES 8926 / Credits: 3 )
3

*The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB) has approved the above course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take either the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination.  Students wishing to fulfill BACB requirements for professional certification should contact the BACB for specific information and advisement. It is recommended that students register with the BACB in order to receive monthly newsletters and stay well-informed of credentialing requirements.  Please check with an academic advisor regarding course planning and selection.

**Students must attend one Summer Institute during the 36 months of study. 

***Beginning the 37th month of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, students will enroll in ADS 8091, Applied Dissertation Services, in order to receive dissertation services and support from Dissertation Committee Chairs and/or other NSU faculty and staff. In cases where students are not enrolled in any classes prior to the 37th month and where Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) students require support from Dissertation Chairs and/or other NSU faculty and staff, ADS 8090 may be used to satisfy Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for continuous matriculation.

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