Leadership Doctoral Programs
Special Education Specialization
In-Person or Online
61 credit hours Ed.D
*
67 credit hours Ph.D
Home Doctoral Programs Special Education Specialization
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The Leadership Ed.D/Ph.D program with a specialization in Special Education is designed for candidates who desire to continue their education as educators and scholars prepared for leadership roles in the area of special education in public or private institutions. This program develops special education experts who will gain the ability to design, implement, evaluate and manage programs in a variety of public and private settings.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Develop the abilities for research and critical thinking in the field of special education, with a theoretical and practical knowledge.
- Develop competency in special education leadership, curriculum modification and program evaluation.
- Improve understanding of the needs of families as it relates to special services.
- Understand the role of advocacy in supporting key stakeholders.
- Support and lead reform and change efforts related to teacher development in special education.
Program Requirements
- Application to and admission into the Special Education doctoral program
- Successful completion of 61 credit hours (Ed.D) or 67 credit hours (Ph.D)
- Comprehensive Examination
- Dissertation
Areas of Study
Ed.D. Course Track
Course | Title |
EDL 6250 | Special Education Law and Policy |
EDL 7140 | Organizational Change |
EDL 7120 | Research Based Decision Making |
SPED 6375 | Supervision of Programs for Children with Disabilities |
FPR 7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership |
EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis |
EDL 6310 | Schools, Families and Trends in Special Education |
SPED 7020 | Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis |
EDL 7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders |
SPED 7010 | Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities |
SPED 7060 | Current Issues and Trends in Special Education |
SPED 7100 | International Perspectives on Special Education |
RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis |
RES 7700 | Qualitative Analysis |
SPED 7030 | Seminar in Low Incidence Disabilities |
SPED 7040 | Seminar in High Incidence Disabilities |
RES 7900 | Research Design |
COMP 7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee-based) |
DISS 7010 | Dissertation |
DISS 7020 | Dissertation |
DISS 7030 | Dissertation |
DISS 8000* | Dissertation Supervision (as needed, fee-based)* |
Ph.D. Course Track
Course | Title |
EDL 6250 | Special Education Law and Policy |
EDL 7140 | Organizational Change/td> |
EDL 7120 | Research Based Decision Making |
SPED 6375 | Supervision of Programs for Children with Disabilities |
FPR 7300 | Philosophy of Scientific Knowledge |
EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis |
EDL 6310 | Schools, Families and Trends in Special Education |
SPED 7020 | Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis |
EDL 7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders |
SPED 7010 | Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities |
SPED 7060 | Current Issues and Trends in Special Education |
SPED 7100 | International Perspectives on Special Education |
RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis |
RES 7700 | Qualitative Analysis |
SPED 7030 | Seminar in Low Incidence Disabilities |
SPED 7040 | Seminar in High Incidence Disabilities |
RES 7800 | Mixed Methods Research |
RES 7600 OR RES 7620 OR RES 7710 | Survey Research OR Advanced Topics in Statistics OR Advanced Topics in Qualitative Analysis |
RES 7900 | Research Design |
COMP 7000 | Comprehensive Examination (fee-based) |
DISS 7010 | Dissertation |
DISS 7020 | Dissertation |
DISS 7030 | Dissertation |
DISS 8000* | Dissertation Supervision (as needed, fee-based)* |
* Students must register for DISS 8000 repeatedly (as needed) to maintain continuous enrollment until program completion.
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What Teachers Are Saying
"Concordia University Chicago offers a convenient cohort program that made attending school, working, and being a single parent accessible and attainable. The Curriculum and Instruction Master's program met on the same weekday for two years and maintained a predictable and realistic schedule."

"A colleague of mine handed me a flyer about all of the programs offered at Concordia University Chicago and what appealed to me was that there was a location offered right down the street from where I live and the programs were arranged so that you were able to continue working while moving towards your master's degree."

"My master’s degree from Concordia University Chicago has helped me to become more of an expert in my field. I feel more confident in knowing what my students need and how to meet their needs. I also believe that it has helped me to stand out as a leader in education."

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