PHD Doctor of Philosophy in Education Special Education Leadership specialization
Courses
Total program credits needed for graduation: 120
Core Courses
16 course quarter credits.
- ED8009
- Education: Purpose, Theory, and Practice (4 quarter credits)
- ED8112
- Educational Research Methods (4 quarter credits)
- ED8102
- Introduction to Qualitative Research* (4 quarter credits)
- ED8122
- Statistics for Educational Research 1* (4 quarter credits)
Specialization Courses
44 course quarter credits.
- ED7820
- Principles of Educational Administration (4 quarter credits)
- ED7822
- The Funding of Educational Institutions (4 quarter credits)
- ED7823
- Education and the Law (4 quarter credits)
- ED7106
- Curriculum Development (4 quarter credits)
- ED7541
- Teacher Supervision and Evaluation (4 quarter credits)
- ED7545
- Special Education Administration (4 quarter credits)
- ED7550
- Leadership for Director of Special Education* (4 quarter credits)
- ED7551
- Special Education Curriculum and Instructional Strategies* (4 quarter credits)
- ED7552
- Special Education Law and Finance* (4 quarter credits)
- ED7554
- Internship for Director of Special Education 1* (4 quarter credits)
- ED7555
- Internship for Director of Special Education 2* (4 quarter credits)
Nine Elective Courses
36 course quarter credits.
Recommended elective courses:
- ED7310
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Educational Process (4 quarter credits)
- ED7542
- The Politics of P–12 Education (4 quarter credits)
- ED7543
- The Superintendency (4 quarter credits)
- ED7544
- Introduction to School Business Administration (4 quarter credits)
- ED7818
- The Future of Teaching and Learning: Issues for the Educational Leader (4 quarter credits)
- ED7852
- P–12 Principalship (4 quarter credits)
- ED8111
- The Historical and Social Foundations of Education (4 quarter credits)
- ED8123
- Statistics for Educational Research 2* (4 quarter credits)
- ED8812
- The Governance of Educational Institutions (4 quarter credits)
OR
Choose any graduate courses.
Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Coursework
24 course quarter credits. Upon completion of required coursework:
- ED9919
- Doctoral Comprehensive Examination* (4 quarter credits)
Learners must enroll in ED9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements.
- ED9960
- Dissertation Courseroom* (5 quarter credits each)
*This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor or refer to the course descriptions for more information.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. For more information on licensure, visit our licensure page.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires graduates to first earn a Minnesota license and (if applicable) endorsement prior to applying for an Iowa license or endorsement. Capella assists learners seeking an Iowa license with understanding the Minnesota requirements and contacting state educator licensing offices. An Iowa resident seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Education Examiners must contact that Board for licensure requirements in Iowa. See the education licensure page for contact information.
North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this program.
This specialization has not been reviewed or approved by Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania residents will have to apply and meet requirements for certification as out-of-state candidates.
Residency Requirement
To support your academic and professional success, residential colloquia provide learning and community-building experiences in a stimulating scholarly environment. For this specialization, you must complete three four-day colloquia (ED-R8921, ED-R8922, ED-R8923).
To learn more, call 1.866.933.5981 or email an enrollment counselor.
Transfer Credits
There are many ways to reduce tuition costs, including transferring credits which can help save time and money. You can transfer up to 48 credits into this specialization.
Sign Up for a Free One-Week Mini Course
Learn more about our online learning experience with a free one-week mini course.
Take a Single Course
You can enroll in any of our online courses without committing to a degree program. Simply sign up for a single course today — whether you're interested in a specific topic or just want to see if online learning is right for you. We recommend speaking first with an enrollment counselor to discuss your goals and ensure the credits you earn now can be applied to a degree program later.
To learn more, call 1.866.933.5981 or email an enrollment counselor.