90-96 credits
Designed to meet the needs of advanced graduate students seeking to assume leadership roles in special education in one or more of the following positions: school leadership, administration; consultation; or in higher education as a teacher educator, special education manager, curriculum specialist, and researcher/evaluator. Upon successfully completing the program, the candidate will hold a doctor of education degree in special education.
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School. An applicant must also hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution, have two years of successful appropriate professional experience, have a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a scale of 4.0 at the master’s level, achieve acceptable composite scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test, and be recommended by the department’s advanced studies committee.
Degree requirements
The doctoral degree with a major in special education requires a minimum of 90 credits of graduate credit, 48 of which must be completed at Ball State University. The program consists of several basic required courses as well as a major of at least 40 credits, most of which must be completed at Ball State University. Two 15‑credit cognates (minimum) or one 24‑credit cognate (minimum) will be selected by doctoral students in consultation with their committee chairpersons to complement career and research interests. Nine credits of each 15‑credit cognate or 12 credits of the 24‑credit cognate must be completed at Ball State University.
Required Courses
Cognate area (one area for 24 credits or two areas for 15 credits each)
Special education concentration courses
At the committee’s discretion, up to 30 credits from a master’s degree (or equivalent) may be included toward total doctoral credits.
Another SPCE 700-level seminar may be substituted for SPCE 764. A minimum of 40 credits must be in the major area; a minimum of 90 total credits required. SPCE 636 Research in Special Education or graduate level introduction statistics class is a prerequisite for admission to do doctoral work in special education.
Policy and Administration concentration
The Policy and Administration concentration focuses on candidates interested in policy areas related to disability public policy and laws and those interested in the administration and management of program services in special education. Candidates are immersed in laws and policies that shape disability services and organizational behavior theories and principles that are applied to the administration of service delivery systems geared toward programs for persons with disabilities. Many candidates choose to complete a cognate in the area of educational leadership and work to add the director of exceptional needs to their current IDOE professional education license.
Required courses
Directed elective requirements
| SPCE 706 | Sem-Stratgs Int Int Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 707 | Sem-Stratgs Mild Inter Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 709 | Behavior and Except Person | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
SPCE 709 is the preferred seminar course.
3 credits from one of the following areas:
Policy
Administration
| SPCE 624 | Voc Prep and Trans Studs Dis | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 636 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 694 | Intern in Spec Ed | 3 TO 9 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism concentration
The ABA and Autism concentration focuses on principles and theories related to applied behavior analysis and their applications with persons with autism. Principles of behavior, behavior consultation techniques, and treatment/intervention strategies are core concepts and skills explored. Candidates have the opportunity to earn certifications in ABA and Autism from Ball State University as well as working toward becoming National Board Certified in ABA as program options.
Required courses
Directed elective requirements
| SPCE 706 | Sem-Stratgs Int Int Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 707 | Sem-Stratgs Mild Inter Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 709 | Behavior and Except Person | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
SPCE 709 is the preferred seminar course.
3 credits from one of the following areas:
ABA
| SPCE 611 | Adv Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 660 | Seminar in Special Education | 3 TO 9 |
Autism
| SPCE 680 | Intro Persons Aut Spec Dis | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 682 | Interv and Treat Persons Aut | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Low Incidence: Teaching and Learning concentration
The Low Incidence concentration focuses on specific strategies and instructional approaches that are evidence-based related to teaching and learning for persons with low incidence disabilities. Principles of behavior, communication (including alternative and augmentative systems), accommodations, and treatment/intervention strategies used with individuals with severe and moderate disabilities are key concepts and skills presented. Candidates have the opportunity to expand their teaching repertoire as they work with students with low incidence in special education settings. Teacher education preparation is also a focus on the program.
Required courses
Directed elective requirements
| SPCE 706 | Sem-Stratgs Int Int Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 709 | Behavior and Except Person | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
SPCE 706 is the preferred seminar course.
3 credits from one of the following areas:
Severe
Autism
| SPCE 680 | Intro Persons Aut Spec Dis | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 682 | Interv and Treat Persons Aut | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
High Incidence: Teaching and Learning concentration
The High Incidence concentration focuses on specific strategies and instructional approaches that are evidence-based related to teaching and learning for persons with high incidence disabilities. Principles of assessment, instructional methods, accommodations, and intervention strategies used with individuals with mild disabilities are key concepts and skills presented. Candidates have the opportunity to expand their teaching repertoire as they work with students with high incidence in special education settings. Teacher education preparation is also a focus on the program.
Required courses
Directed elective requirements
| SPCE 603 | Collab in Spec Educ | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 631 | Comp Tech and Learner Spec Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 688 | Methods of Mild Intervention | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 707 | Sem-Stratgs Mild Inter Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 709 | Behavior and Except Person | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
SPCE 707 is the preferred seminar course.
Special Education General concentration
The Special Education General concentration remains the same as the current Doctor of Education in Special Education offering.
Required courses
Directed elective requirements
| SPCE 706 | Sem-Stratgs Int Int Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 707 | Sem-Stratgs Mild Inter Nds | 3 |
| or | |
| SPCE 709 | Behavior and Except Person | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
(SPCE 707 is the preferred seminar course.)
Open SPCE program elective