Important Announcement

17 March, 2020 at 8:51 PM

Boston University has canceled in-person classes and moved to remote teaching and learning for the balance of the spring semester and final
exams. The University has directed undergraduate students to return to their homes, canceled all events and athletics, and strictly limited
gatherings on campus. For now, we are minimizing lab research activity to the extent possible. Please visit our COVID-19 website for more
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Wheelock College of Education & Human DevelopmentProgramsSpecial Education EdD in Special Education

EdD in Special Education

Contact
For contact information, please visit the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development website.

The doctoral degree program in special education at Boston University is designed to increase and expand the knowledge and skills of enrolled graduate
students to assume roles as leaders in the field as teacher educators, program administrators, and researchers. It is recognized that to do so requires a
deliberate course of study, including coursework in a specific content area, and research and active immersion in the community of student and faculty
scholars within the program and throughout the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, the University, and the profession. Doctoral
students enrolled in the special education doctoral program pursue one of three specializations. These specializations are:

Teaching and Learning with a focus on individuals with moderate or severe disabilities
Student Support with a focus on students with emotional and behavioral disorders or social work and disability
Policy and Program Administration for individuals with disabilities

Students work closely with Wheelock faculty as research, teaching, and/or graduate assistants as they work to augment their knowledge and skills
through their coursework, residency, and research.

The minimum credit requirement for a doctorate is 60 credits.

Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of a specific area in their field and the ability to use the knowledge to seek and find solutions to
important problems of practice.
Demonstrate competence in either qualitative or quantitative research methodology to conduct original research while also demonstrating sufficient
familiarity with other research methodologies to be able to critically read relevant literature in the field.
Through research and scholarship, expand the theoretical and empirical knowledge base in their field to inform researchers, practitioners, and policy-
makers.
Contribute to their field as highly effective teachers in a variety of educational contexts (e.g., schools, colleges, universities, conferences, community
meetings).
Contribute to their field through service to educational and civic organizations that inform or implement policy, research, and practice.
Coursework and Other Requirements
Pro-Seminars (8 credits across two semesters; completed in Year 1)
SED ED 800 Doctoral Pro-Seminar 1 Theories of Teaching, Learning, and Equity (4 cr)
SED ED 801 Doctoral Pro-Seminar 2 Educational Foundations and Systems (4 cr)

Two-semester pro-seminar designed to develop a common conceptual understanding of Schools, Educational Institutions, Communities, Educational
Foundations, and Systems and Theories of Learning and Teaching, with Social Justice being a unifying theme throughout, across all Wheelock EdD
students.

Research and Teaching Apprenticeships (minimum: 6 semesters)

At least 1 teaching apprenticeship: CT 700 Doctoral Teaching Apprenticeship (0 cr)
At least 3 research apprenticeships: SED RS 799 Doctoral Research Apprenticeship (0 cr)
Remaining apprenticeship foci determined in consultation with student’s doctoral advisor

Research (minimum: 16 credits)

Qualitative (Required)
Quantitative (Required)
Mixed methods
Advanced research course
Additional courses may be required by programs

Specialization Courses (minimum: 24 credits)

Specialization courses are determined jointly between the student and doctoral advisor.

Qualifying Tasks—ED 900 Qualifying Tasks (0 cr)

Participation in a research project culminating in a formal write-up and presentation at a Doctoral Student Research Symposium at the end of the
student’s second or third year. The research report will include a statement of the student’s contribution to the research. Work will be evaluated by the
student’s Qualifying Committee.
Completion of a literature review and an oral defense of that review on an area of the student’s field of study where there is a problem/challenge/gap
in the literature and identifying one or more promising practical or theoretical approaches. Work will be evaluated by the student’s Qualifying
Literature Review Committee.

Dissertation Proposal
Preparation of written proposal for dissertation research
Oral defense of proposal to Dissertation Committee

Dissertation Study and Oral Defense (minimum: 12 credits)—SED ED 999 Dissertation Advising
Dissertation which can take one of two forms: Traditional or Alternative format with three publishable articles
Oral Defense of dissertation findings to Dissertation Committee
 Residency Requirement
Every doctoral candidate must spend a minimum of two consecutive semesters in residence at Boston University. Residence is defined as registration for
a minimum of 12 credit hours at the University during each of two consecutive semesters. (Summer Terms may be considered one semester.) The
residency requirement may be met by holding a research or teaching assistant position or being employed at Boston University 35 hours or more per
week and registering for a minimum of 8 credit hours for two consecutive semesters. For additional information, students should contact their academic
advisors.

For more information about requirements for the doctorate, please visit the EdD Implementation Policies page.

Related Bulletin Pages

Special Education Courses
EdD Implementation Policies
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Beyond the Bulletin

Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
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Programs
Applied Human Development
Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bilingual Education/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Child Life & Family-Centered Care
Counseling
Curriculum & Teaching
Deaf Studies
Developmental Studies
Early Childhood Education
Educational Media & Technology
Elementary Education
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Emotional and Behavioral Challenges in Schools
English Education
Mathematics Education
Modern Foreign Language Education
Physical Education & Coaching
Science Education
Social Studies Education
Special Education
BS in Special Education
Minor in Special Education
EdM in Special Education
CAGS in Special Education
EdD in Special Education
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities (Pre-K–8)
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities (5–12)
Graduate Certificate in Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities
Minors in Education
Undergraduate Studies
Graduate Studies
Offshore K–12 Teacher Training Program for Chinese Teachers of English in Primary and Secondary Schools
Courses
Policies
Academic and Student Resources
Licensure of Educational Personnel
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Note that this information may change at any time. Read the full terms of use.
related websites
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Accreditation
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).