Special Education
Prospective Students
Explore our programs and certificates today and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in this rapidly evolving field.
On-Campus Ph.D.
Doctorate Program
This full-time, on-campus program is meticulously crafted to equip scholars for impactful careers in educational settings, dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities. Our Ph.D. candidates are immersed in a rich academic environment, with ample opportunities for research and teaching across undergraduate and graduate levels.
Graduates emerge as leaders, flourishing in academia, agencies, and educational institutions alike.
Requirements: Masters degree in relevant field
Typical Course Load: 9 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time (part-time is possible but not ideal)
Application Deadline: See dates published by the college
Program Completion: 3-4 years
Online Ed.D.
Doctorate Program
The online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education at the University of Florida is a CPED-influenced professional practice doctorate designed to develop expert practitioners, who can serve as service providers, school leaders, professional development providers, and advocates for individuals with disabilities.
Graduates will study their own practice and that of the contexts in which they work, and they will effect change based on evidence in an effort to improve academic and social outcomes for students with disabilities. The program takes approximately four years to complete and culminates in a dissertation-in-practice experience supervised by our world renowned special education faculty
Requirements: Master’s degree in relevant field
Typical Course Load: 9-12 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time and part-time available
Application Deadline: See dates published by the college
Program Completion: 3-4 years
Online M.Ed.
Master’s Program
Empower your teaching career with the Teach Well Online Academy, a fully online graduate program tailored for current educators. This innovative program in special education is crafted to equip teachers with the expertise to support students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms—without the need for on-campus attendance.
Our comprehensive curriculum is ideal for those already working with students who have disabilities or learning differences, offering insights and strategies to excel as inclusive educators.
Requirements: Undergraduate degree
Typical Course Load: 6-9 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time or Part-time
Average Class Size: 15-30
Application Deadline: See dates published by the college
Program Completion: 2 years (full-time)
Online Ed.S.
Specialist Program
The Teach Well Online Education Specialist Degree is for students who have already completed a masters degree program in an appropriate area. This degree includes a project in addition to the coursework, as well as oral and written exit exams.
Graduates of this program are leaders at classroom, school, and district levels and leaders in special education organizations and companies.
Requirements: Undergraduate degree
Typical Course Load: 6-9 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time or Part-time
Average Class Size: 15-30
Application Deadline: See dates published by the college
Program Completion: 2 years (full-time)
Disabilities in Society
Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society is a fully online certificate provides opportunities for students to enhance their knowledge of disabilities by deepening their understanding of implications of disabilities for professional practice. The focus is on how disabilities are perceived, ways people with disabilities are included, and legal aspects of disability policies within and beyond practices in education systems.
Entry: Any semester
Requirements: Bachelors or equivalent degree
Typical Course Load: 4 courses
Full-Time/Part-Time: Not applicable
Average Class Size: Not applicable
Application Deadline: College online deadlines
Program Completion: 1~4 semesters
Dyslexia
Graduate Certificate
This certificate is ideal for students that want to integrate educational technology into their coursework for other graduate programs.
Certificates offer opportunities to develop expertise in specific areas within Educational Technology. Certificates can be earned by non-degree seeking students and can also be added to degree programs as additional credentials.
Requirements: Bachelors or equivalent degree
Typical Course Load: 5 courses
Full-Time/Part-Time: Not applicable
Average Class Size: Not applicable
Application Deadline: College online deadlines
Program Completion: 2 semesters
EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Graduate Certificate
High quality early education is essential for children, particularly children at risk due to developmental concerns or poverty, to reach their potential. This fully online certificate provides specialized knowledge and skills to help professionals in early childhood and related services understand the context and practice of high quality early education.
The potential students of this online graduate degree include teachers already working in the field that wish to become leaders, students interested in early learning with the flexibility of online courses, state college graduates with an earned Bachelor’s Degree that wish to articulate into this graduate program.
Requirements: Not applicable
Course Requirements: 7 courses
Full-Time/Part-Time: Not applicable
Average Class Size: Not applicable
Program Completion: ~2 years
Disabilities in Society
Graduate Minor
Our Disabilities in Society minor attracts students from colleges across campus. Stimulating coursework expands your knowledge of how you can positively impact the lives of individuals with special needs. By providing you with a lens to view the unique perspectives and roles of individuals with disabilities in society, this minor will help to shape your view of work in your field of choice and involvement in your community.
Entry: Any semester
Requirements: Must be junior status (60+ accumulated credits) to register for courses.
Course requirements: 5 courses
Full-Time/Part-Time: Not Applicable
Average Class Size: Not Applicable
Program Completion: ~1 year
EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Graduate Minor
The Graduate Minor in Early Childhood Studies is designed to offer interdisciplinary graduate education by combining coursework and applied research opportunities focused on areas within the field of early childhood studies including health, mental health, early education and care, early intervention, policy and law, and family and community-based social supports. The minor provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to interact with faculty across disciplines who have diverse academic backgrounds and areas of research and expertise.
Requirements: Must be junior status (60+ accumulated credits) to register for courses.
Course Requirements: 5 courses
Full-Time/Part-Time: Not applicable
Average Class Size: Not applicable
Program Completion: ~1 year