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An alumnus: Pursue your Ph.D. in Education - Exceptional Education Executive Leadership at Regent University.

Ph.D. in Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership

Help Close Achievement Gaps

Do you have a heart for the neediest populations in education? If you desire to make a big impact as a practitioner-scholar, then this degree will equip you with the leadership skills needed to bring about positive change. Regent’s Philosophy of Education (Ph.D.) – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree focuses on a more inclusive approach to supporting exceptional learners by broadening the reach to populations who need it most. You’ll gain executive-level insight on championing, leading, and developing innovative programs and policies. Enjoy a meaningful career while you help close the achievement gaps for groups in these categories: Special Ed, 504, Gifted, At-risk, and Diverse.

Online
67+
October 23, 2023
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INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ph.D. degree.

IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS

Make a lasting difference in the lives of children through innovative leadership.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Influential job opportunities await you.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 10 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row (2013-2023). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership program.

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Regent University ranked #2 of Top 25 Accredited Online PhD & Doctoral Degree Programs | Learn.org
Regent University ranked #3 of the top 31 Best Online Ph.D. Programs | Best Value Schools
Top Online Degrees - AffordableSchools.net

On completing the Ph.D. in Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree, you can:

  • Understand laws, policies, and regulations specific to an exceptional education.
  • Apply key principles in supervision, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
  • Use theory and practice to determine program strength and specific areas in need of improvement.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • University Faculty
  • Exceptional Education Administrator
  • Exceptional Education Consultant
$90Thousand
Mean annual wage for postsecondary teachers U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019
Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning-implementation-evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course.
Emphasis on interpreting research to develop strategies and to solve problems across the spectrum of exceptional education in order to improve instruction and assessment.
Analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and case law and regulations relevant to exceptional education leadership at all levels and in various settings.
Investigate the unique issues of supervision of exceptional education teachers and classes. Effective exceptional education instruction and curriculum across the continuum of services (e.g. consultative, pull-out, resource, self-contained, through inclusion) will be highlighted. Effective schools research, collaboration, assessment, instruction, and innovation will be investigated.
Investigate the program review process to determine program strength and specific areas needing improvement to schools, programs, teachers, effectiveness research, supervision of adults, collaboration, assessment, instruction, curriculum and change will also be discussed.
Investigation of the use of multimedia in educational systems including use for enhanced K12 instruction and teaching training.
Study the process of the development of policy in exceptional education from standard techniques for analyzing, evaluating, and developing policies for educational systems and organizations with special attention to contemporary policy issues and the process starting at the federal level.
Investigates the role of leadership on current issues and trends in exceptional education, with specific focus on assessment, data collection, research, curriculum, and instructional strategies.

2023-24 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 11Monday, August 21
Session MFriday, September 8Monday, September 18
Session BFriday, October 13Monday, October 23
Session CThursday, January 4Monday, January 8
Session TFriday, January 26Monday, February 5
Session DFriday, March 1Monday, March 11
Session EFriday, April 26Monday, May 6
Session FFriday, June 7Monday, June 17

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial College Transcripts

  • Email your unofficial college transcripts to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: Unofficial Transcripts.
  • Upon conditional acceptance, Regent University will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

  • Email a photo of your government-issued ID to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: Government ID.
  • Please note that all items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Career Switcher$2506$1,500
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Career Switcher$2509$2,250
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Career Switcher$2506$1,500
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Career Switcher$2509$2,250
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Ph.D. Requirements

A Ph.D. student will (a) complete 21 hours associated with the Ed.D. core curriculum, (b) complete 24-26 hours associated with an Ed.D. concentration, (c) complete an additional 6 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 16 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 67 hours. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must present an acceptable research-based dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates that the candidate has technical competence in the field and has done research of an independent character. It must add to or modify what was previously known in the candidate’s field of interest or present a significant interpretation of the subject based upon original investigation and research.

Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
EDCO 806 Multivariate Statistics (3)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3)

“There’s an atmosphere of excellence at Regent.”

Sharon Byrdsong, Ed.D., 2008 K-12 School Leadership

“The Virginia Beach City Public Schools cohort of ESL teachers in training was the perfect platform in which to study and learn. Upon completion of my last TESOL class, I was blessed with the opportunity to join the ESL staff of VBCPS. The amazing faculty of Regent's TESOL department helped make it possible.”

Altina Suber, M.Ed., 2015 Teacher

“I looked at other institutions, but I understood the importance of a Christ-centered focus, and I wanted that to be a part of my graduate experience.”

Cheryl C. Askew, Ed.D., 2012 Principal, Landstown High School

“Regent's Christian education program taught me best practices in education, and the faculty inspired and challenged me to reach my full potential.”

Randy Brunk, M.Ed., 1989 Head of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy

“Regent opened a door to self-discovery and selflessness. My Regent instructors encouraged me to operate on a higher level of motivation and others-oriented awareness.”

Sandra Turner, M.Ed., 2016 Professional Development