Special Education Ph.D. Program
The focal point of the Special Education doctoral program is clinical and applied research that adds to the knowledge base in understanding learning, behavioral, and cognitive difficulties, particularly as they manifest in development of interventions for children with learning disabilities and autism. Students pursue a research agenda under the guidance of faculty. The School of Education also houses the SEARCH Autism Center, where students can learn about assessment of autism in both clinic and school and be introduced to EEG and neuroscience for education.
Specialization Overview
Overview
- Start Term: Fall only
- Program Length: Approximately 5 years
- Units: 60 minimum
- Format: In-person instruction on Riverside campus
- Schedule: Each class meets once a week 4-7pm (Monday-Thursday)
- 94% of students receive multi-year fellowships
Steps to Degree Completion
- Complete coursework
- Written qualifying exam
- Oral qualifying exam/pre-proposal
- Proposal approved by dissertation committee
- Dissertation and final defense
Students admitted to the Ph.D. program are often offered a multi-year fellowship which covers tuition and health insurance and provides a stipend and/or paycheck during the academic year. It is recommended that students complete the program full time to meet the fellowship requirements working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR). These duties require students to be available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for 15-20 hours per week.
Quarterly costs may be viewed here