doctorate degree in special education online

Online PhD in Special Education Every Student Needs Someone Who Cares

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Learn How to Meet Your Students’ Unique Needs with a PhD in Special Education Online

You are an education professional seeking a terminal degree. You love working directly in the classroom and equipping your students for success. You are passionate about helping students with special needs learn, grow, and thrive.

If that sounds like you, Liberty University’s PhD in Education – Special Education can help. Our program provides an in-depth look at learning theory and research methods with the goal of helping you bolster your effectiveness as an educator. You can learn how to help all of your students — including those with disabilities — excel at every level of education, from kindergarten through college.

Explore methods for making effective, data-driven decisions and implementing evidence-based practices in the classroom. This doctorate in special education online program can help equip you to work as a school leader at public and private institutions. Partner with us and prepare to serve as a Champion for Christ in the education field — and beyond.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty University’s PhD Program in Special Education?

Are you worried that school will get in the way of your other commitments and priorities? If so, we have just what you need! Our PhD in special education is offered 100% online, so you can complete your coursework from the comfort of your home and easily access your materials whenever you need them. Most importantly, you can stay invested in your family and career while furthering your education.

In this online doctoral degree program in special education, you’ll study under professors who have years of experience in research, teaching, and academia. With their guidance, you can gain the tools you need to help your students succeed.

We don’t just train educators — we equip qualified professionals who seek to use their skills in service to God and others. At Liberty, you will analyze education practices through the lens of a biblical worldview. Our faculty are grounded in the Christian faith and are committed to helping you lead with excellence and integrity in the education field.

What Will You Study in Our Online PhD Program in Special Education?

This special education doctoral program online is broken down into 4 main parts: core education courses, research classes, a dissertation project, and the special education concentration. You can gain foundational skills in the theoretical, historical, and philosophical aspects of education. Additionally, you can explore current trends in educational technology, allowing you to stay knowledgeable about the most cutting-edge research in the industry.

Our PhD in special education online courses can help prepare you to meet the needs of students with physical impairments, behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. In particular, you can learn how to collaborate with families, service providers, and school administrators in helping these students set and achieve academic goals.

Every student is unique, so our courses can help train you to evaluate the needs of individual students and help them reach their full potential. Upon graduation, you could work directly in the classroom or as the director of a special education program. Whether you want to work in early childhood education or at post-secondary institutions, our online PhD in special education can help you pursue your career goals.

This program contains several research methods courses, culminating in an extensive final dissertation project. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct original research and contribute to the base of knowledge in your field.

Potential Career Opportunities

By earning your Doctor of Philosophy in special education, you can pursue a variety of job opportunities in the field of education. Some of the roles you may qualify for include:

• Educational consultant
• K-12 special education teacher*
• Rehabilitation facility director
• School superintendent
• Special education director
• Survey researcher
• Training and development specialist
• University administrator
• University professor

*This career may require a teaching license.

Featured Courses

• EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
• EDSP 722 – History and Future of Special Education
• EDSP 725 – Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
• EDSP 726 – Disability and Learning

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required) .
• This program contains optional on-campus intensives . Most intensives are offered in a week-long course format, with a few being offered in a weekend-only format.
• An extensive final dissertation project is required.

Degree Completion Plan

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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Liberty’s Doctor of Philosophy in Education Program

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

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Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of earning a phd in special education.

By completing this online doctorate degree in special education, you’ll earn a terminal credential that can help demonstrate your expertise to employers. With a PhD, you could potentially earn a higher salary or advance to top-level leadership roles.

Most importantly, our doctorate in special education online can help strengthen your ability to serve students with learning disabilities and make a positive impact on them. You will explore special education teaching philosophy and learn how to help students with disabilities thrive in their academic, professional, and personal life.

What is the difference between an EdD and a PhD in special education?

A Doctor of Education (EdD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are both terminal degrees that offer advanced training in the field of education. However, they have some important differences.

An EdD is a professional doctorate designed to equip you with vocational knowledge. In contrast, our online PhD in special education program can help you pursue a career in research or teaching. Additionally, our EdD requires a final capstone project while our PhD program involves an extensive dissertation.

Both degrees are valuable — you’ll just need to evaluate which one best matches your career goals!

Does this degree require any culminating project?

Liberty’s online PhD program contains an integrated dissertation process, allowing you to work toward your final research project while completing your regular classes.

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?

If you’re a full-time parent or working professional, we provide the flexibility you need to take the next step in your academic journey. Completing your PhD gives you a terminal educational credential that shows employers you have reached the pinnacle of achievement in your field.

What resources will be available to me in this program?

As a doctoral student, you can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch research portal while completing your PhD in Education at Liberty University.

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• Why Choose Liberty?
• What Will You Study?
• Admission Information

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