Special education PhD
Become a leader in special education research and train future educators
As a PhD student in the special education program, you'll receive the training to find solutions to problems that help individuals with disabilities learn and grow. The program’s rigorous coursework and faculty-guided experiences will prepare you for a leadership role in special education.
A member of the NCLII Consortium
The University of Minnesota's special education program is one of only seven in the U.S. included in the National Center for Leadership in Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2) consortium. NCLII-2 is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to prepare special education leaders to become experts in research on intensive intervention for students with disabilities who have co-occurring, persistent, and severe academic (e.g., reading and math) and behavioral difficulties.
Coursework
Careers
Graduates with their doctorate in special education conduct research, teach in universities, and work in other educational settings in special education.
Tuition, funding, and financial aid
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Tuition and Financial Aid page for information on tuition.
Visit OneStop Student Services for more information on available financial aid.
Faculty
M.Y. Savana Bak
Assistant professor
Anne Foegen
Professor and department chair
Debbie Golos
Associate professor
LeAnne Johnson
Associate professor and special education program coordinator
Jennifer McComas
Professor and head of special education MA with emphasis in ABA
Kristen McMaster
Professor and Guy Bond Chair in Reading
Frank Symons
Emma Birkmaier Education Leadership Professor, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Policy, Distinguished McKnight University Professor
Jason Wolff
William Harris Professor in Child Development, associate professor, Director of Graduate Studies