Ph.D. in Education – Special Education

• Adult Education
• Advanced Educational Leadership
• Christian Education Leadership
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Educational Psychology
• Educational Technology & Online Learning
• Exceptional Education Executive Leadership
• Higher Education
• Higher Education Leadership & Management
• K-12 School Leadership

2021-22 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All new 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.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

• Submit your application at www.regent.edu/apply.

Step 2: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire

• After you submit your application, you will receive a link to complete the required admissions questionnaire.

Step 3: 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 4: 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.

*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.

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 802 Analysis of Variance (1)
EDCO 803 Regression & Correlation (1)
EDCO 804 Structure & Reliability Analysis (1)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3)

Faculty

Dr. Hunter is the concentration chair for the Special Education Program and is committed to your success.

Dr. Elizabeth Hunter earned her B.A. in Fine Art from Old Dominion University and her M.Ed. in Special Education concentrating in MR, LD and ED at Regent University. In 2005, Hunter became a Doctor of Education in Special Education & Communications. Her doctoral studies culminated into a final dissertation that incorporated an ethnographic documentary film about the expressed opinions of young adults with Down Syndrome about their classroom placement.

Hunter is an assistant professor in the School of Education M.Ed. K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist programs and the Ed. S. Educational Leadership with Special Education emphasis program. She has built years of experience in the field of Special Education, as well as Communication Technology especially in television and video education production. Hunter has been involved in numerous publications and presentations in her areas of expertise and holds honors and awards for her contributions to both fields.

Using her talents as a painter, photographer and production designer, Hunter has successfully worked in film and television production since 1979. She has won several awards for her contribution to television and film, one in particular an after-school special that earned her the honor and privilege to judge for the Annual Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards. She has been a voting member of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences since 1987.

Hunter currently holds appointments and positions of leadership in both fields in her church and community. She serves as the president of the Virginia Federation of Council for Exceptional Children and represents the VA CEC at the International Council for Exceptional Children Representative Assembly and Leadership sessions.

She consults with ETS in assessment development of the Special Education and the Intellectual Disabilities PRAXIS II exams. Additionally, Hunter consults privately with schools, churches and parents in the areas of exceptional disabilities especially Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities.

Hunter has expertise in instructional technology and media and enhances her on-line and face-to-face courses and publications with visual media technology. She presents her course curriculum using her skills to turn words into pictures and uses video streaming as an educational tool. She has also been instrumental in turning the hybrid courses into an online format providing content to students nationally and internationally.

Hunter pursues ethnographic research to produce educational and documentary film with content based on grounded research that is appropriate for use in higher education. She writes and produces educational articles and books utilizing instructional videos and documentary film that educate and entertain. She has embarked on the production of a documentary series and book called Waking Up with Jack, an autobiographical story that touches on how a family deals with Down Syndrome and all the things that go along with it. It is an ongoing examination of special needs students.

• Career Switcher Program for Accelerated Teaching License with M.Ed. Option
• M.Ed. in Individualized – NILD Educational Therapy Certification Program
• M.Ed. in K-12 Special Education (Licensure)