Program Overview

The goal of the doctoral program in Special Education is to prepare leadership personnel to help shape the future of special education. The program focuses on outcomes that will prepare graduates in the areas of research, teacher education, program development, and evaluation.

Program Handbook

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Degrees Offered

Ph.D., many courses offered at a distance

Career Opportunities With This Degree

Graduates are prepared for roles as teachers and researchers in university programs and specialists and consultants in direct-service agencies. The doctoral program in special education seeks to provide personnel for these roles by preparing reflective, culturally sensitive practitioners and leaders in the profession of education who practice within the Code of Ethics adopted by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Application Materials

College Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the Graduate School application. Information on submitting official transcripts will be provided to you by the Graduate School. Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted. Please redact the Social Security Number anywhere it appears on your transcript. If documents are written in a language other than English, a copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records.

Required Supplemental Application Materials

Resume, Applicant Statement, 3 Professional Recommendations, GRE Scores. Download a comprehensive list of requirements.

Application Process

Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply.

GRE Scores

This program requires official GRE scores. Scores must no more than 5 years old at the time of application. Official GRE scores must be sent from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the Texas Tech Graduate School. To register for the examination please visit the GRE Testing website. Texas Tech University's code is 6827.

• Due to ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School has temporarily changed its admission requirements regarding test scores. The GRE may optionally be submitted by applicants for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, through the Summer 2024 application cycle. International applicants may use certain alternate exams in place of the TOEFL. Please visit the Graduate Admissions COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Semester in which the program can be started

Spring, Fall, or Summer I or II

Estimated Hours to Completion

90 credit hours for Ph.D.

Allowable Transfer Hours

30 credit hours maximum

Financial Aid

TTU Graduate School and COE scholarships, research assistantships, student loans (loans not available for cert only students)

Deadlines

No hard deadline

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Contacts

Faculty