Best Online Doctorate in Special Education Programs
Pursuing a career in special education is rewarding for many professionals, and the demand for special education teachers and researchers is growing. We’ve ranked the best online doctorate in special education programs. Compare schools and figure out where to earn your doctorate in special education.
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Did you know that if you choose to pursue an online doctorate in special education, you can help serve the more than 7 million students in special education programs across the United States? While not all graduates with this degree work directly with special education students, you can apply your specialized knowledge in college classrooms and leadership roles.
This page examines online doctorate in special education program offerings. We also review admission requirements and career prospects, while spotlighting the traits of quality doctoral programs.
Best Accredited Online Doctorate in Special Education Programs
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,935
$7,935
50%
93%
A conservative, evangelical university, Liberty provides academic programs that promote a Christian worldview. Liberty serves over 100,000 students, including roughly 30,000 military students.
Students can earn an online Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction - special education at Liberty. This program requires 54 credits, and the average student graduates in about three years. Courses include the history and future of special education, collaboration and communication in special education, and advanced learning theory and research. Each course lasts eight weeks, and the program does not have any in-person requirements.
Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
$14,791
$14,791
81%
93,349
Private
Yes
$7,935
$7,935
Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,935
$7,935
50%
93%
$14,791
$14,791
81%
93,349
Private
Yes
A conservative, evangelical university, Liberty provides academic programs that promote a Christian worldview. Liberty serves over 100,000 students, including roughly 30,000 military students.
Students can earn an online Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction - special education at Liberty. This program requires 54 credits, and the average student graduates in about three years. Courses include the history and future of special education, collaboration and communication in special education, and advanced learning theory and research. Each course lasts eight weeks, and the program does not have any in-person requirements.
Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Concordia University-Chicago
River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$9,090
$9,090
79%
87%
Established in 1864, CUC provides learning experiences to students through a Christian lens. CUC values academic excellence and service. The university also strives to accommodate working professionals through distance programs.
Professionals with an affinity for helping students with distinctive needs can earn an online doctorate in special education through CUC. This program requires 61 or 67 credits, depending on whether learners pursue an Ed.D. or a Ph.D. Courses include supervision of programs for children with disabilities, international perspectives in special education, current issues and trends in special education, and assistive technology for students with disabilities. The curriculum also requires a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
Students take coursework asynchronously. CUC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
$32,660
$32,660
71%
6,491
Private
Yes
$9,090
$9,090
River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$9,090
$9,090
79%
87%
$32,660
$32,660
71%
6,491
Private
Yes
Established in 1864, CUC provides learning experiences to students through a Christian lens. CUC values academic excellence and service. The university also strives to accommodate working professionals through distance programs.
Professionals with an affinity for helping students with distinctive needs can earn an online doctorate in special education through CUC. This program requires 61 or 67 credits, depending on whether learners pursue an Ed.D. or a Ph.D. Courses include supervision of programs for children with disabilities, international perspectives in special education, current issues and trends in special education, and assistive technology for students with disabilities. The curriculum also requires a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
Students take coursework asynchronously. CUC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,234
$36,234
77%
89%
Founded in 1891, Drexel prioritizes student-centered learning, research, and problem-solving. As an extension of that mission, Drexel has offered distance learning since 1996.
Working professionals who enroll at Drexel can earn an online doctorate in educational leadership and management with a concentration in special education leadership. This online doctoral degree in special education requires 60.5-61.5 quarter credits. Part-time students typically graduate in three years. Courses include program evaluation in organizations and quantitative research methods in data analysis.
Admission requires an accredited bachelor's and master's degree. Applicants also need at least three years of professional experience. Drexel is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
$53,868
$53,868
88%
23,589
Private
Yes
$36,234
$36,234
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,234
$36,234
77%
89%
$53,868
$53,868
88%
23,589
Private
Yes
Founded in 1891, Drexel prioritizes student-centered learning, research, and problem-solving. As an extension of that mission, Drexel has offered distance learning since 1996.
Working professionals who enroll at Drexel can earn an online doctorate in educational leadership and management with a concentration in special education leadership. This online doctoral degree in special education requires 60.5-61.5 quarter credits. Part-time students typically graduate in three years. Courses include program evaluation in organizations and quantitative research methods in data analysis.
Admission requires an accredited bachelor's and master's degree. Applicants also need at least three years of professional experience. Drexel is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Hampton University
Hampton, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$13,099
$13,099
36%
11%
Located in Virginia, HU is one of the top historically black universities in the nation. The university's student body includes nearly 4,300 learners. HU prioritizes accessible and affordable education. To that end, HU ranks first among universities in the South in terms of graduating students with the smallest amount of debt.
Special education advocates can earn a Ph.D. in educational management with a concentration in special education. This degree requires 66 credits, and students typically graduate in 30 months. All students complete a dissertation and learn core educational leadership competencies.
Admission requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also earn a minimum score of 150 on the GRE. Prospective students who do not meet GPA or test score requirements can still earn provisional admission; they may be fully admitted after earning a minimum 3.0 GPA over their first six credits in the program.
HU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
$26,198
$26,198
72%
3,516
Private
Yes
$13,099
$13,099
Hampton, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$13,099
$13,099
36%
11%
$26,198
$26,198
72%
3,516
Private
Yes
Located in Virginia, HU is one of the top historically black universities in the nation. The university's student body includes nearly 4,300 learners. HU prioritizes accessible and affordable education. To that end, HU ranks first among universities in the South in terms of graduating students with the smallest amount of debt.
Special education advocates can earn a Ph.D. in educational management with a concentration in special education. This degree requires 66 credits, and students typically graduate in 30 months. All students complete a dissertation and learn core educational leadership competencies.
Admission requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also earn a minimum score of 150 on the GRE. Prospective students who do not meet GPA or test score requirements can still earn provisional admission; they may be fully admitted after earning a minimum 3.0 GPA over their first six credits in the program.
HU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,552
$15,552
50%
93%
Regent is one of the fastest-growing Christian schools in the nation. The university delivers student-focused and Christ-centered learning, including online programs that primarily serve working professionals and military students.
Regent offers an online doctorate in education with a special education concentration. This degree requires 75 credits, including 21 core credits, 24-26 special education concentration credits, six summer residency credits, and 15 dissertation credits. Courses include advanced study of high-incidence disabilities, data-driven decision-making, bioethics in special education, and issues in education. Each course lasts eight weeks.
Regent is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
$17,220
$17,220
77%
10,483
Private
Yes
$15,552
$15,552
Virginia Beach, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,552
$15,552
50%
93%
$17,220
$17,220
77%
10,483
Private
Yes
Regent is one of the fastest-growing Christian schools in the nation. The university delivers student-focused and Christ-centered learning, including online programs that primarily serve working professionals and military students.
Regent offers an online doctorate in education with a special education concentration. This degree requires 75 credits, including 21 core credits, 24-26 special education concentration credits, six summer residency credits, and 15 dissertation credits. Courses include advanced study of high-incidence disabilities, data-driven decision-making, bioethics in special education, and issues in education. Each course lasts eight weeks.
Regent is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
What Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Special Education Program?
Whether you want to work in academia or in an administrative role in a public school, an online doctorate in special education equips you to with core skills in special education and disability advocacy.
Graduate school students pursuing an online doctorate in special education usually seek either a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. Those tackling the research-heavy Ph.D. in special education typically go on to work in higher education teaching and research roles. If you want to develop the leadership skills required for administrative roles, you might prefer a management-focused Ed.D.
Special education doctoral students typically complete 60-75 credits and graduate in 3-5 years. Depending on program format, you can complete online coursework either synchronously or asynchronously. Distance learning often allows the flexibility to complete course requirements while keeping up with personal and professional responsibilities.
In addition to core academic requirements, you can dedicate time to various academic concentrations. Specializations offerings may include applied behavioral analysis, early intervention, and autism.
What Can I Do With an Online Doctorate in Special Education Degree?
An online doctorate in education can lead to a career at a university or as a school system leader.
Public school principals earn a median annual salary of over $100,000. And top-earning administrators can earn more than $150,000 per year. Common careers for special education doctoral grads include higher education, primary and secondary education, research, and special education advocacy roles.
A doctorate in special education can open up a variety of career opportunities. Learn more about special education careers.
| Job | Median Salary (2023) |
|---|---|
| School Principal (K-12) | $103,460 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,620 |
| Special Education Teacher | $65,910 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $84,380 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $102,610 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Special Education Programs
Yes. Whether you’re pursuing a career in academia or leadership roles in public education, an online doctorate in special education can increase career options and earning potential. Online learning opportunities allow you to earn your degree while keeping up with personal and professional obligations.
Online doctoral students tackle essential special education topics while honing research skills in collaborative environments. You leverage your studies in education leadership roles and when advocating for special education policies.
Most students can complete their online doctorate in special education in 3-5 years. You hone your research and writing skills and tackle coursework on topics including low-incidence instruction, emotional and behavioral disorders, and special education history and policy.
In addition to more traditional coursework, you’ll complete a dissertation. You’ll work closely with dissertation advisors to craft original, publishable pieces of research.
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