Special Education, PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Special Education is a flexible doctoral program with provisions for individual planning to prepare stewards of the discipline of special education for positions of leadership in public and private schools and for colleges, universities, agencies, businesses and government entities. Major emphases are internally flexible and may be established to fit a variety of interests in the field of exceptionalities, such as transition of children and youth; education of infants and preschool children; one of the categorical areas of special education (autism, visual impairment, deaf and hard of hearing, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, significant support needs); gifts and talents; special education administration; research in exceptionalities; and/or university teaching. Graduates develop leadership knowledge and skills in exceptionalities related to six major themes: theory, pedagogy, research methodology, evidence-based practice, public policy/advocacy, and collaboration. The Special Education doctoral program is designed to prepare students for creative leadership in a rapidly changing world that is experiencing increasing cultural diversity, curriculum and structural reforms in schools and pedagogical innovations across the educational spectrum.
A Doctoral Minor in Special Education is available to students in any UNC doctoral program with the approval of their doctoral program advisor. The intent of this program is to encourage doctoral students throughout the University to increase and expand their understanding of the field of special education and disability issues. Completion of the minor will be noted in the student's transcripts as Minor in Special Education.
The Bresnahan-Halstead Center at the University of Northern Colorado is pleased to announce the funding of a scholarship to support full-time doctoral studies. The scholarship is available to a US citizen/permanent resident who has been accepted into the doctoral program in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado and who wants to focus on the education of students with significant support needs. Contact Kay Ferrell for more information.
Class Format
& 
Total Degree Requirements
72-81 Credit Hours
Graduate Coordinator
Kay Ferrell, 970-351-1653
Additional Information
Application Deadlines
- Summer or Fall Admissions: April 1st
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the University of Northern Colorado Graduate School before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. To apply, submit the following materials in a single packet along with the application fee. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
- Statement of Academic and Professional Goals
- Resume
- Published or Professional Writing Sample
- Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores
- Required Minimum: 140 Quantitative; 146 Verbal Reasoning; Combined score of at least 297; Analytic Writing 3.5
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $60 non-refundable application fee
- Completed Online Application
- Three Letters of Recommendation (pdf)
- One official copy of transcripts from all accredited college or university attended since completing high school. UNC Alumni need not submit transcripts
- An in-person, telephone, or internet-conference interview that results in a positive recommendation from faculty in the School of Special Education
Tuition Rates below are for the 2011-2012 school year. These tables do not include eligible course fees that apply to certain courses.
2012-2013 Colorado Resident GraduateTuition/Fee Rates
| |
Tuition |
Student Activity Fee (Details) |
LEAF Fee (Details) |
Technology Fee Avg. (Details) |
Library Fee Avg. (Details) |
| Per Credit Hour |
$537.00 |
$49.50 |
$1.00 |
$9.51 |
$3.23 |
| Three Credit Hours |
$1611.00 |
$148.50 |
$3.00 |
$28.53 |
$9.69 |
| Nine Credit Hours |
$4833.00 |
$445.50 |
$9.00 |
$85.59 |
$29.07 |
*additional credit hours over 9 are charged at the per credit hour Rates
2012-2013 Non-Resident/International Graduate Tuition/Fee Rates
| |
Tuition |
Student Activity Fee (Details) |
LEAF Fee (Details) |
Technology Fee Avg. (Details) |
Library Fee Avg. (Details) |
| Per Credit Hour |
$1153.00 |
$49.50 |
$1.00 |
$9.51 |
$3.23 |
| Three Credit Hours |
$3459.00 |
$148.50 |
$3.00 |
$28.53 |
$9.69 |
| Nine Credit Hours |
$10,377.00 |
$445.50 |
$9.00 |
$85.59 |
$29.07 |
*additional credit hours over 9 are charged at the per credit hour Rates
- Rashida Banerjee, Ph. D.
- Diane Bassett, Ph. D.
- George T. Betts, Ed. D
- Sandy Bowen, Ph. D.
- Robin Brewer, Ed. D.
- Paula Conroy, Ed. D.
- Silvia Correa-Torres, Ed. D.
- Kay A. Ferrell, Ph. D.
- Lewis Jackson, Ed. D.
- John Luckner, Ed. D.
- Tracy Mueller, Ph. D.
- Francie Murry, Ph. D.
- Stuart Omdal, Ph. D.
- Lori Peterson, Ph. D.
- Corey Pierce, Ph. D.
- Harvey Rude, Ed. D.
- Ann Sebald, Ed. D.
- Todd Sundeen, Ph. D.
- Jennifer Urbach, Ph. D.
