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.
Options: Graduate With or Without a Dissertation
We now offer an alternate opportunity that allows students to solve problems in a real-world setting. The Education Strategic Research Project (ESRP) is an alternative to the Applied Dissertation. Request information now to learn more about your options.
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
Earning Potential
Ed.D. in Special Education Curriculum
*Certification Disclosure for the Applied Behavior Analysis Track: The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified the courses listed above toward requirements for eligibility to take the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst® or Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. Association for Behavior Analysis International website: https://www.abainternational.org/welcome.aspx
**Students must attend one Summer Institute during their program of study. Summer Institute is an opportunity for students to meet with classmates, professors, and staff on-campus in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Students will be able to schedule individual sessions with their applied dissertation committee chairs to discuss dissertation work and with representatives from various service areas. The conference will also offer applied dissertation workshops, as well as roundtable sessions affording students the opportunity to present their dissertation work to a group of peers and receive immediate feedback.
***Students who complete all of their coursework and have registered for all of their dissertation benchmark courses (prospectus, proposal development, proposal, and applied dissertation) within the first three years will be required to register for ADS 8090 - Applied Dissertation Services I in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Beginning with the fourth year (37th month/10th semester) following initial enrollment, and irrespective of remaining coursework, doctoral students are required to register for ADS 8091 - Applied Dissertation Services II, up to the point of degree completion, in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Credits earned from ADS 8090 or ADS 8091 do not count toward the minimum credit hour requirement for the Ed.D. degree.
****For students completing the Applied Dissertation, you will select either the Quantitative Research Track or the Qualitative Research Track.
Ed.D. in Special Education Professional Licensure Disclosure
Ed.D. in Special Education ABA Professional Licensure Disclosure
