The Doctoral program in Special Education at Penn State University is designed to prepare special educators for leadership roles in research 
and graduate education. We provide doctoral candidates with the critical skills needed to be successful as faculty members in higher education. Our program requires coursework in the field of special education, as well as research and statistical methods. The Penn State Special Education faculty also provides structured learning experiences in the professional skills (e.g., pre-service and graduate level teaching, academic writing, pre-service supervision, service activities) expected of special education faculty. Penn State Special Education doctoral candidates learn by doing, and, upon graduation, work to improve the lives of persons with disabilities by preparing the next generation of teachers, and conducting needed special education research.
The doctoral program is based on the individual interests and goals of the student, and is typically 4 years in length. All coursework is offered at the University Park campus of Penn State. While some students choose to do their dissertation research away from the University Park campus in the final year of their program, students should plan on being at the University Park campus for at least 3 years of study. Graduate Assistantships are available that provide tuition remission, medical insurance, and a stipend.
There are also two OSEP-funded doctoral training grant programs available at the Penn State Special Education program
- AAC Leadership Project (2022-2027)
- this collaborative doctoral training grant will prepare the next generation of outstanding faculty and researchers in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Funding is available for students pursuing doctorates in Special Education or Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State.
- Project Future (2022-2027)
- a collaborative doctoral training grant (Penn State and Michigan State) with a focus on transition services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Funding is available for students pursuing doctorates in Special Education or Counsellor Education at Penn State.
We regularly hold events on campus, and online, to help prospective students learn more about the doctoral program at Penn State. We also encourage you to join our FaceBook page.
If you would like to be informed of upcoming events, please provide your contact information at this Google Survey.
