UF
College of Education
Special Education Prospective Students Online Ed.D.

Online Ed.D.

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Elevate your career with the University of Florida’s online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education, a program inspired by the principles of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). This professional practice doctorate is meticulously designed to forge expert practitioners equipped to make significant impacts as service providers, school leaders, professional development facilitators, and advocates for individuals with disabilities.

Program Overview

Our fully online Ed.D. in Special Education, a part-time degree program designed with working professionals in mind, takes approximately four years to complete. As a participant in this program, you will engage deeply with your professional practice and the broader context of your work, leveraging evidence-based strategies to foster academic and social advancements for individuals with disabilities. Our globally acclaimed special education faculty mentor students in coursework designed to support their individual career advancement goals. Students then receive one-on-one faculty mentorship in the program’s culminating research phase, an applied dissertation.

For more information about our Online Ed.D. in Special Education contact our program coordinator, Dr. Kristi Cheyney-Collante.

Ed.D. in Special Education Core Curriculum

Our carefully crafted curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation for success. Courses are delivered online , with both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. The program is cohort-based, so students progress through the experience with a group of like-minded adults, who are focused on expanding their potential as leaders in special education. The program’s requirements include electives, quantitative and qualitative research courses, and dedicated dissertation hours.

Choosing Your Path: Ph.D. vs. Ed.D.

Choosing between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D. in Education requires careful consideration of academic interests and career goals. While both are doctoral degrees, they differ in emphasis.

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

  • Ideal for those aspiring to pursue research intensive careers in academia.
  • Emphasizes advanced research, theory development, and scholarly contributions in education.
  • Focuses on advancing knowledge and understanding of education through rigorous academic inquiry and publishing scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals.
  • A good fit for students willing to relocate to UF’s main campus Gainesville, Florida. The PhD is a full time, on-campus program.

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

  • Ideal for in-service educators and related professionals seeking leadership roles in special education and adjacent fields Offers a practice-oriented approach, focusing on applying research to real-world challenges for those working with and advocating for individuals with disabilities. 
  • Prepares graduates to address practical issues, drive innovation, and lead special education  initiatives within schools, districts, or other organizations that serve individuals with disabilities.
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    Ed.D. Program Curriculum

    The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) degree consists of a minimum of 90 total credits: 30 credits are transferred from a student’s relevant master’s degree, and 60 – 70 credits are obtained through the program. The exact number of credits is dependent on individual program plans.

    Required Courses

    Program plans are individualized to fit the professional goals of each student. Required coursework includes 15 – 18 credit hours of Core Special Education coursework, and 12 – 15 credit hours in research and evaluation methodology (*), plus coursework for an area of specialization,

    College of Education Ed.D. Research Requirements

    All doctoral students in the College of Education must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of research methodology coursework to meet the college-wide requirement for preparation in research methodology.

    Programs and supervisory committees have the discretion to require more than 12 hours of research methodology courses. The courses used to meet these additional requirements are not subject to review by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

    Areas of Specialization

    Dyslexia

    • EEX 6135: Foundations of Literacy Development & Dyslexia
    • EEX 6136: Dyslexia: Language and the Brain
    • EEX 6137: Dyslexia: Assessment for Intervention
    • EEX 6138: Dyslexia: Intervention Methods
    • *EEX 6855: Dyslexia: Practicum in Assessment and Intervention (*optional)

    Early Childhood Practitioner

    • EEC 6205: Early Childhood Curriculum
    • EEC 6933: Families in Early Childhood Education
    • EEC 6933: Assessment & Evaluation in Early Childhood Educational Practice
    • EEC 6933: Policy & Transition in Early Childhood Educational Practice

    Early Childhood Policy

    • EEC 6636: Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues in EC Policy
    • EEC 6665: History, Child Development, and Equity in EC Policy
    • EEC 6667: Theory and Analysis in EC Policy
    • EEC 7056: Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

    Disability and Society

    • EEC 6636: Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues in EC Policy
    • EEC 6665: History, Child Development, and Equity in EC Policy
    • EEC 6667: Theory and Analysis in EC Policy
    • EEC 7056: Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

    Special Education Teacher Leadership

    • EEX 6058: Families & Teacher Perspectives
    • EEX 6936: Literacy Leadership
    • EDG 6348: Instructional Coaching for Enhanced Student Learning
    • EEX 6936: Professional Development for Special Educator
    “The online Ed.D. program is designed in such a way that I feel I am receiving the same attention, support, and level of instruction I would expect from in person coursework, but with the flexibility to complete assignments around my work schedule. It is the perfect program for a working professional who wants to improve and refine their practice, increase their body of knowledge, and grow into a leader in their field.”
    Colleen Pollett, M.Ed.

    Partnership Facilitator, James Patterson Literacy Challenge , Current Ed.D. student

    Program Requirement

    • A bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university in special education or a related field, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University of Florida Office of Admissions.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 undergraduate upper-division (last 60 credits) and graduate coursework.

    Program Highlight

    Entry:Fall Semester
    Typical Course Load: 6 credits per semester
    Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
    Format: Fully Online, primarily synchronous with synchronous engagement in each course
    Application Deadline: February 1st
    Average Class Size: 12-18
    Program Completion: 4 years

    Student Handbook (.PDF)