Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

Special Education Leadership

School of Education

Strengthen your ability to oversee and advocate for the growing number of students who need special education services, and contribute to the field through your own doctoral research. Aligned with standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), this specialization provides a strong foundation in general K–12 educational administration, along with focused course work in special education administration, instructional strategies, law, and finance. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing special education leadership positions at the building, district, state, or national level, or higher education faculty or consulting positions in the field of special education.

Residency requirements: As a doctoral learner, you will attend residential colloquia in addition to your online courses. At specific milestones in your program, you will attend three colloquia, each five days in length. See residential colloquia details.

DISCLAIMER: As with all programs involving endorsement, licensure, or certification, individual states have varying requirements. Capella University cannot guarantee that licensure, endorsement, or certification will be granted. For this reason, it is important that learners interested in these programs contact the appropriate authorities in their state.

Review of this program is pending in AL, AZ, FL, GA, KY, WA, and WI. Please contact an enrollment counselor for additional information.

ENROLL NOW FOR CLASSES BEGINNING: Program starting soon! COST PER QUARTER: $4,176 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment) TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS: 120

Core courses

• ED8007 - Leading Innovation
• ED8113 - Advanced Study in Research Methods *

Specialization courses

• ED820 - Principles of Educational Administration
• ED822 - The Funding of Educational Institutions
• ED823 - Education and the Law
• ED825 - Curriculum Development
• ED7541 - Teacher Supervision and Evaluation
• ED7545 - Special Education Administration
• ED7550 - Leadership for Director of Special Education
• ED7551 - Special Education Curriculum and Instructional Strategies
• ED7552 - Special Education Law and Finance
• ED9984 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination I *
• ED9985 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination II *
• ED9996 - Dissertation Research I *
• ED9997 - Dissertation Research II *
• ED9998 - Dissertation Research III *
• ED9999 - Dissertation Research IV *
• ED7553 - Internship for Director of Special Education Capstone (200 hours required)

Twelve elective courses

• Recommended elective courses:
• ED7542 - The Politics of Pre-K–12 Education
• ED7543 - The Superintendency
• ED7544 - Introduction to School Business Administration
• ED7901 - Internship for Educational Administration I
• ED7902 - Internship for Educational Administration II *
• ED7903 - Internship for the Superintendency I
• ED7904 - Internship for the Superintendency II *
• ED812 - The Governance of Educational Institutions
• ED814 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Educational Process
• ED815 - The Future of Educational Institutions: Topics and Trends
• ED818 - The Future of Teaching and Learning: Issues for the Educational Leader
• ED853 - Elementary School Administration
• ED854 - Secondary School Administration
• ED8111 - The Historical and Social Foundations of Education
• ED8115 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• ED8117 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
• ED8119 - Advanced Practicum in Research Design
• ED8910 - The Minnesota Superintendency
• ED8911 - The Minnesota K–12 Principalship

* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Review of this specialization is pending in the following states: AL, AZ, FL, GA, KY, WA, and WI. Contact an enrollment counselor for additional information regarding this specialization.

State regulations vary regarding course requirements for professional licensure. For assistance with state-mandated course requirements for licensure, contact the appropriate school representative or state agency.

As with all programs involving endorsement, licensure, or certification, individual states have varying requirements. Capella University cannot guarantee that licensure, endorsement, or certification will be granted. For this reason, it is important that learners interested in this program contact the appropriate authorities in their state.

Prospective Washington state learners are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360-725-6320 or proofed@ospi.wednet.edu to determine whether this education program is approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Register now for a course, or call 1-888-227-2736.