PhD in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education Advancing Techniques to Educate Every Student Effectively
Take Your Scholarship Further with Liberty’s Advanced Studies PhD in Special Education
Completing your Doctor of Education (EdD) was an enormous achievement. You spent years researching the field of education from a professional perspective, but you are not done yet. Your desire to understand the full scope of this field drives you further. If you are interested in adding a dissertation on special education to your list of accomplishments, Liberty University has the PhD you need to make it happen.
Becoming a researcher and leader in the field of education means assuming a role in shaping the future of its policies, goals, and objectives. Whether you want to make an impact in a K-12, business, or government setting, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education is the degree you need.
By coming into this PhD with a conferred doctoral degree, you will be able to transfer up to 39 of your hard-earned credits into the program. With the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies requiring a total of 60 credit hours, you will be just 21 credit hours away from adding a PhD to your name.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education.
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- Private Nonprofit University
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- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty’s Advanced Educational Studies Doctoral Program?
Liberty’s PhD in Advanced Educational Studies gives you new opportunities as an education professional. All of the research and work that went into your EdD can be seamlessly applied to this program – including a large number of your completed credits! By transferring your doctoral courses into our PhD, you will be able to expand your current insight into the field while moving quickly towards a new doctoral credential.
While an EdD focuses more on professional development and application, your work in the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies – Special Education program will allow you to demonstrate your scholarship through a dissertation process. You will analyze scholarly research related to the field of special education so you can create and present original research by the end of the program.
One element that makes Liberty’s PhD program so unique is how we incorporate our commitment to the Christian faith into it. Our advanced educational studies program is designed to address the spirit as well as the intellect. Each course will include a consideration of Scripture relevant to the topic area.
Not only will your courses integrate biblical principles but your professors will also guide and instruct you from their faith. Our mission is to equip you as an expert in the field of special education who leads with confidence and integrity.
What Will You Study in Our PhD in Advanced Studies for Special Education Degree?
The goal of your coursework in the PhD in Advanced Educational Studies is to have you well-equipped to communicate through various mediums and critically problem-solve. Additionally, this program will help to increase your information literacy through the examination of current literature, research defense, and dissemination.
By focusing your research and dissertation on special education, you will study the unique needs of students with all forms of learning disabilities. You will also study best practices in curriculum and program development for children with behavioral disorders, special needs, and those who excel and need more challenging programs.
Understanding these topics in special education is vital for effectively serving your school administration at the local, state, and national level.
Some of the additional topics you will cover in this program include:
- A biblical perspective on decision making within the field of education
- Advanced practices in designing and conducting original research
- Educational theories within the field for professional and academic practice
- Pedagogical concepts and approaches based upon research and knowledge of the discipline
- Theories and evidence-based practices that inform leadership, research, and teacher preparation in special education
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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Doctoral Full Time | $610/Credit |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Part Time | $675/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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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
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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