Ph.D. in Education – Special Education
School of Education
#4 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia, U.S. News & World Report, 2019
CAEP Accredited
850+ Teachers of the Year
Become a Leader in Special Education
If you're an educational professional seeking a career as a university faculty member or senior educational administrator in the in-demand arena of special education, then this path will help you achieve your goal and make a big impact too. Regent's Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Special Education prepares special education teachers and administrators to advance in special education research, practice and policy. This research-based Ph.D. will prepare you more specifically for a career in academia. You'll enjoy developing advanced proficiencies in theoretical and analytical application and a comprehensive knowledge of the special education field. The program is ideal for professionals seeking a career as a university faculty member or senior educational administrator.
INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL
Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ph.D. degree.
EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH
Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.
MAKE AN IMPACT
Present ground-breaking research to improve the world of education.
Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.
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Take Your Career to the Next Level
On completing the Ph.D. in Education – Special Education degree, you will be able to:
- Explain the history of special education, as well as current issues and best practices.
- Interpret data and ramifications; craft empirical, research-based interventions; and codify research and practice for effective implementation.
- Develop vital skills in critical thinking, scholarly research, writing and learning from a Christian worldview.
Career Opportunities
- Special Education Administrator
- Special Education Executive Leader
- University Faculty
Click any section below for additional information or access your course schedule.
2019-2020 Semester Check-In Deadlines:
All new students are expected to check-in for the semester 2 weeks prior to 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.
|
Session |
Semester Check-In |
Session Start Date |
|
Session A |
Friday, August 9 |
Monday, August 26 |
|
Session M |
Friday, September 13 |
Monday, September 23 |
|
Session B |
Friday, October 18 |
Monday, October 28 |
|
Session C |
Friday, January 3 |
Monday, January 13 |
|
Session T |
Friday, January 31 |
Monday, February 10 |
|
Session D |
Friday, March 6 |
Monday, March 16 |
|
Session E |
Friday, May 1 |
Monday, May 11 |
|
Session F |
Friday, June 12 |
Monday, June 22 |
Application Process – Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)
Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Application Fee
Pay the $50 application fee online during the application process via our Miscellaneous Payments Form, or by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
Fee Waiver: Attend a graduate School of Education on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.
Step 3: Graduate Program Academic Paper
Please submit a scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master's thesis (or a portion of it, plus biography), or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. Email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces or fax to 757.352.4725.
Step 4: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to transcripts@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces.
Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.
International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.
*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University's Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.
Step 5: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete, but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an enrollment counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.
Step 6: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Simply scan and upload a copy of your driver's license, high school ID, passport, permanent resident card or official government ID card, using our secure and convenient online tool. If you would prefer to take a picture of your government-issued ID and email that to our office, please attach your ID and email to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.
Step 7: Admissions Interview
If an interview is necessary, the admissions office will contact you to schedule an appointment. The interview can be conducted on campus or over the phone and typically takes about an hour.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
2018-19 Tuition Rates
| Degree Level / Program | Cost Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
|
Ed.S. |
$715 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state) |
|
Ed.D. & Ph.D. |
$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state) |
2019-20 Tuition Rates
| Degree Level / Program | Cost Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|
|
Ed.S. |
$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state) |
|
Ed.D. & Ph.D. |
$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state) |
(The Ed.S. program & tuition rate counts toward the first 31 credit hours of the Ed.D./Ph.D. Remaining credit hours toward a doctoral degree incur the higher tuition rate.)
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $550 |
| Library Orientation | $50 (one-time fee) |
| Blackboard Orientation | $50 (one-time fee) |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.
Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.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 9 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 15 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 75-77 hours. The candidacy examination will be administered during the final semester of coursework. 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.
Research Related Credit:
Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
EDCO 801 Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation (3 credits)
EDCO 802 Analysis of Variance (1 credit)
EDCO 803 Regression & Correlation (1 credit)
EDCO 804 Structure & Reliability Analysis (1 credit)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3 credits)
Faculty
Dr. Mostert is the concentration chair for Special Education and is committed to your success.
Dr. Mark Mostert, from Johannesburg, South Africa, completed his undergraduate degree (with distinction) from the Johannesburg College of Education, majoring in special education and biblical studies. After post baccalaureate work in cerebral palsied education at the University of South Africa, he was awarded the master's degree from the University of South Alabama, where he was designated the outstanding graduate in special education. His Ph.D. in special education was awarded by the University of Virginia in 1992 for the dissertation, Metaphor in Special Educators' Language of Practice, subsequently published by the University of Illinois.
In 1996, after a national search, Mostert was the inaugural winner of the Millman Promising Scholar Award from Cornell University. In 1997, Mostert was appointed Dille Distinguished Faculty Lecturer at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, and in 1998 he was a visiting professor of special education at the University of Cologne, Germany.
Mostert previously served as coordinator of programs in Learning Disabilities at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where he was full professor; and as Associate Professor of Special Education at Old Dominion University. He has taught at both the elementary and secondary level, in both public and private schools, and on two continents.
Mostert's current research interests include research syntheses related to effective educational interventions, issues related to face validity in meta-analysis, and the utility of the history of special education to inform current educational and social practices.
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. Cross-listed with EDCO 501.
Covers statistical procedures used for structure and reliability analysis as applied to educational research with emphasis on understanding the research context, assumptions, notations and interpretations associated with each statistical procedures. Major topics include factor analysis, an introduction to structural equation modeling and reliability analysis to include alternate form reliability, test-retest reliability, inter-tester reliability and internal consistency (i.e., split-half to include use of the Spearman-Brown prophecy formula, Kudder-Richardson formulas and Cronbach's coefficient alpha). SPSS will be used for all statistical calculations. Prerequisites: EFND 702 and Educational Statistics.
Designed to provide advanced skills and knowledge to doctoral students for them to design and carry out and evaluate sophisticated research studies. As an advanced course it provides an in-depth examination of the issues and problems facing the educational researcher as he/she organizes a research study or a program evaluation. The course is not bound to any one paradigm, but examines educational research from various perspectives. The course focuses on the theory behind the methodology, advanced research design techniques and associated statistical procedures, internal and external validity, mixed methodology and qualitative research tools common to the practice of education. Prerequisites: EFND 702, EFND 722.
Hear From Students & Alumni
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Catherine Webb, Autism Certificate, 2004
School of Education"My credentials from Regent helped earn me the respect of parents and the confidence of school leaders. I'm so pleased that I could go one step further and share on a national level."
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John Pienkowski, M.Ed., 2017
School of Education"When I felt called to teaching after a career in the military, Regent University bridged the gap and laid a solid, Christian-based path for me to follow."
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Kristin Garmin, M.Ed. , 2016
School of Education“The program offered a great financing opportunity for teachers, and it also had that caliber of education I was looking for but at a reasonable price. Plus, it’s local, yet also accessible from a distance.”
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Roxie Godfrey, Ed.D., 2005
School of Education"A Regent education will open up doors for you. It certainly has for me."