Ph.D in Special Education

Special Education

Ph.D. in Special Education

Conduct cutting-edge research while gaining experience in higher education teaching.

This dynamic 90 credit-hour program will allow you to pursue study based on your personal interests and goals. Our apprenticeship model provides experience in the major scholarly tasks expected of future faculty and leaders in the field of Special Education. Through coursework and exploration of theory and research across a broad range of possible topics, you will work closely with a warm and diverse faculty whose expertise includes:

  • Early childhood special education
  • Intervention perspectives related to Autism
  • Emotional/behavioral challenges (e.g., systems of care, caregiver concerns, and incarcerated youth)
  • Transition to adulthood
  • Teacher preparation (e.g., cultural perspectives and inclusion)
  • Interventions related to learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia) and English learners with disabilities
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The Special Education team. Back row: Assistant Professor Kelly Williams, Associate Professor Theresa Ochoa, Administrative Assistant Aimee Polk, Associate Professor Hannah Schertz, Associate Professor Ana Maria Brannan, Professor Gretchen Butera, Professor Jeff Anderson. Front row: Associate Professor Derek Nord, Clinical Assistant Professor Tina O'Neal, Assistant Professor Sarah Hurwitz

As a doctoral student, you’ll teach in undergraduate classes and supervise field placements and student teaching. Students also have many opportunities to engage in university and professional service while working with faculty mentors.

You will develop a unique professional identity through the program, leading to a range of career choices. Our graduates go on to teach at universities or continue to post-docs, research institutes, community agencies, and government entities.

Program minors have also allowed our graduates to study in numerous other disciplines offered at Indiana University, such as public health, statistics psychology, inquiry and technology.

The program is closely associated with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, allowing students to benefit from its many projects and resources.

Financial Support

While not all of our students enter the Ph.D. program with funding, most receive funding support after the first year. Funding is typically linked to teaching and research assistantships.

Our faculty

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Professor, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education

Research Areas:
Interagency collaboration in public schools and communities; improving educational and social outcomes, especially for young people with emotional and behavioral challenges
Email:
jander2@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 856-8155
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Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction Department Chair

Email:
brannana@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 856-8119
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Associate Research Scientist

Email:
tgrossi@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 855-4070
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Associate Professor

Research Areas:
Special Education, Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, Autism, Students with Disabilities
Email:
shurwitz@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 856-8134
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Professor, Director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community

Research Areas:
Disability, Adult Services, Policy, Employment, Community Living, Transition, Survey Research
Email:
dnord@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 855-7102
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Professor

Research Areas:
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Email:
tochoa@indiana.edu
Phone:
(812) 856-8135

Contact Us


Professor
dnord@indiana.edu
(812) 855-7102