All students must meet the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Overview
The Ph.D. in Social-Emotional and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (Ph.D. in SHIE) engages scholars in the examination of critical interdisciplinary and multi-level issues focusing on collaboration between families, schools, and communities in supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth. The Ph.D. in SHIE produces researchers for positions in higher education and state and national leadership positions who are skilled in examining complex interdisciplinary societal problems relating to special education, education, and social welfare and applying a collaborative, appreciative, and proactive lens to design research and policy aimed at optimizing children’s wellbeing. Producing top scholars for critical issues in the fabric of a global society will enhance the educational equity and social, emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth who have experienced adversity such as trauma, maltreatment, poverty, racism, and other forms of marginalization. SHIE Scholars students will engage in a rigorous 75 credit curriculum anchored in 5 core courses that will ground them in theory, policy, prevention, intervention, and community- engaged research drawing from the fields of special education, social work, and public health. SHIE Scholars students will also participate in research teams working in-situ to develop, implement and evaluate programs, practices, and policies.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
To be admitted, applicants must have (a) a Master’s degree in special education or a related field (e.g., social work, counseling, school psychology); (b) 2 years of professional experience (special education teacher, social worker, behavior interventionist or related role); (c) 3 letters of recommendation indicating excellence regarding potential for leadership and research; (d) a personal statement with a clear articulation of career goals as special education faculty or related discipline; and (e) a writing sample providing evidence of excellent skills in scholarly writing, a commitment to social change and justice for students with social-emotional-behavioral health needs, and the potential to conduct independent research
Minimum Degree Requirements
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 75 Credit Hour Curriculum, including: | ||
| 5 Core Graduate Level Courses | 15 | |
| EDSP 7110 | Prevention Science Theory | |
| EDSP 7150 | Critical Issues in SEBH Policy | |
| EDSP 7210 | FSC Partnerships for SEBH | |
| EDSP 7220 | Research Partnership in Action | |
| EDSP 7250 | Psycho-Ed and Single Case | |
| Research Core | 12 | |
| Quantitative Research I | ||
| Qualitative Research I | ||
| Applied Educational Research | ||
| Mixed Methods Research: Adv | ||
Advanced Research Electives | ||
| Adv Qual: Analysis & Writing | ||
| Ethnographic Methods | ||
| Adv Qual: Case Study | ||
| Adv Quant: Research Methods | ||
| Adv Quant: Survey Research | ||
| Adv Quant: Multilevel Mod MLM | ||
| Content Specialization Electives | 12 | |
| Professional Preparation | 9 | |
| ProSeminar: Doctoral Intro | ||
| Dissertation Writing Seminar | ||
| Dissertation Research | 21 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research | ||
Comprehensive Examination
Full-time students complete their comprehensive examination by the end of their third year, and part-time students must complete the comprehensive examination by the end of their sixth year. After completion of or in the final semester of core courses, students select 2-3 papers as their written comprehensive examination submission to a small committee of core faculty members. Students will also present their papers to their committee at an oral research colloquium.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
- Completion of approved 54 credit program of study prior to pursuing the 21 dissertation credits.
- Passing the comprehensive examination will be a requirement prior to registering for any dissertation credits.
- Successful dissertation proposal.