Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education Prepare for Your Next Step
54
Credit Hours
100% online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Prepare to Shape the Future of Special Education with a Doctor of Education in Special Education Degree
Are you interested in furthering your career in education? Do you have experience in or are looking to branch out into special education? Do you want to develop a deep understanding of the inner workings of a successful special education program?
It takes dedicated and equipped individuals to make a positive impact in the field of education – even more so in special education. Our Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education is designed to help you become well-equipped to communicate through various mediums, critically problem-solve, and increase information literacy through examining current literature and research. These skills are essential to effectively lead in special education.
This program can help enthusiastic educators like you develop the knowledge and skills needed to make a profound impact in the field of special education. If you have a passion for molding the minds of others and desire specific training in the area of special education, Liberty University’s online EdD in Special Education may be the right fit for you.
Partner with us and further your education so you can invest in others and create change for the good. Embark on this transformative educational experience and discover how our program can empower you to become a leader, advocate, and catalyst for change in the lives of individuals with special needs.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Why Choose Liberty’s Special Education EdD Degree?
Liberty University is committed to preparing future educators and leaders who can impact the broader field of education for Christ. Our EdD in Special Education is an online program that provides advanced training for educators across various fields. Whether your goal is to work directly with those who have special education needs, design curricula, serve in the administration, or lead an organization, this program can provide you with a well-rounded understanding of learning theory and help you apply it to your professional endeavors.
At Liberty University, we believe in the integration of faith and learning. Our program is founded on a strong Christian worldview, providing a distinct perspective that permeates every course we offer. You can have the opportunity to explore the intersection of biblical truth and the principles of special education, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the ethical and moral dimensions of this field.
Additionally, our dedicated faculty members are accomplished professionals in the field of special education. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the virtual classroom, ensuring that you receive the highest quality education. You can learn from professors who are committed to mentoring and guiding you throughout your doctoral journey, providing valuable insights and personalized support.
The online format of our EdD in Special Education degree program allows you to further your education and career while maintaining your personal life. When you partner with Liberty University, you can be confident that you are entering an environment designed with your success in mind.
What Will You Study with Our EdD in Special Education Degree?
The EdD in Special Education program is structured to help you expand your knowledge in the realm of serving students with special needs. Through this program, you can:
- Analyze pedagogical concepts and approaches based upon research and knowledge of the discipline for high-impact practices.
- Assess educational theories within the field for professional and academic practice.
- Design and conduct original research that adds to the knowledge base of the discipline.
- Evaluate the process of designing a curriculum and implementing instructional practices.
- Integrate a biblical worldview when defending ethical and moral decision-making within the field of education.
The courses in the EdD in Special Education online program are broken down into 4 groups: education courses, special education core courses, research courses, and capstone project courses. You can have the unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the broader education field while further focusing on special education. The education courses cover advanced learning theory and research, theories of historical and philosophical foundations, and your choice of either issues and trends in learning technologies or organizational analysis and problem-solving.
The courses specific to special education incorporate the history and future of the field, administration and supervision, collaboration and communication, assessment and evaluation, disability and learning, and critical review of special education literature. You’ll explore principles of special education and disability advocacy from a Christian perspective as well as trace current and historical trends and issues in the treatment of people with disabilities. You can develop the necessary skills for effective leadership, management, and supervision in special education and disability services.
The EdD in Special Education is specifically designed to emphasize the analysis of applied research and the practical application of that research through the creation and presentation of a capstone project. Toward the end of the program, before developing your capstone, you will take research courses that include a survey of educational research, applied research methods, literature review for applied research, and applied research concepts and methodology. To culminate the program, you will conduct original research in the field of special education to be developed into a final capstone project.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Education instructor
- Educational consultant
- K-12 educational technology director
- University administrator
- University professor
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This is a non-licensure program.
Degree Completion Plan
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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
EdS and EdD Full Time | $595/Credit |
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EdS and EdD Part Time | $650/Credit |
Military EdS and EdD | $275/Credit |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
The Office of Graduate Admissions may request additional documentation when conducting admission reviews to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admission decision can be made.
Please note: Guidelines are subject to change in federal or state regulations for the licensure of school personnel.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the online Doctor of Education (EdD) program?
Do you want to reach the pinnacle of achievement for advanced education studies? Liberty University’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) program provides all of the advanced education administration, research, curriculum development, and learning theory skills and knowledge needed to help you make a positive impact on the world of education. Through Liberty University’s doctorate in education online program, you will engage with knowledgeable professionals in the field of education who will mentor you in your development as an educator, administrator, and researcher.
Our EdD degree offers a robust theoretical framework that extends your teaching methods and theories to a higher order of application, allowing you to evaluate and address teaching challenges in K-12 institutions and at the university level. Liberty’s online EdD degree allows you to focus on your coursework at home and complete essential hands-on training with flexible scheduling that will meet your needs. To add to this flexibility, our online EdD degree integrates the doctoral capstone project research into your course material so that you can complete this comprehensive demonstration of your education expertise more quickly.
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