Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Special Education

Lehigh University

The PhD program in Special Education is designed for the college graduate who holds a master's degree in special education or a related area and who is interested in pursuing advanced studies in special education. It prepares students for careers in educational leadership in higher education as teacher trainers, consultants, and researchers. Our training through 20-courses (60 credits) is individualized and emphasizes applied research, faculty-student mentoring, and the development of professional competencies such as writing for publication, college teaching, grant writing, and program administration. The program has full-time and part-time options classes are held in the late afternoon or evening. This Ph.D. is geared toward college graduates who hold a master’s degree in Special Education or a related area. Full-time doctoral students may engage in research for approximately 20 hours per week, supported with a stipend and tuition funding. In addition, they have the opportunity to co-teach with faculty.Ph.D. candidates are required to complete a qualifying project to demonstrate their research skills and then take a comprehensive exam. Researching and writing a dissertation is the culmination of the program.

College of Education