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 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 will also participate in research teams working in-situ to develop, implement and evaluate programs, practices, and policies in existing family-school-community partnerships.
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
| 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 | 15 | |
| EDRM 6210 | Quantitative Research I | |
| EDRM 6110 | Qualitative Research I | |
| EDRM 6310 | Mixed Methods Research: Adv | |
Remaining 2 courses chosen based on specialization | ||
| Adv Quant: Research Methods | ||
| Adv Qual: Analysis & Writing | ||
| PAR & Transdiscipl Agroecology | ||
| Advanced Research Electives | 6 | |
| Content Specialization Electives | 9-12 | |
| Professional Preparation | 6-9 | |
| EDLP 7010 | ProSeminar: Doctoral Intro | |
| EDLP 7090 | Dissertation Writing Seminar | |
| IHS 7500 | Prof Writing & Grantsmanship | |
| EDHI 6850 | Seminar in Higher Education | |
| Dissertation Research | 21 | |
| EDSP 7491 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
Students will complete their comprehensive examination by the end of their 3rd year. After completion of all core courses, students will select 1-2 papers/assignments from one of the core seminars to scale up for publication for a practice and/or research journal. They will submit this paper/these papers as their 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.