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Program Overview

IN PERSON


The Ed.D in Special Education Leadership is not recruiting a new cohort at this time.
 

The Doctor of Education, Special Education Leadership, The Universities at Shady Grove (Ed.D., USG) is designed to develop special education leadership for a select cohort of scholars that includes special education teachers, related service professionals, principals, and special education administrators. The program uses a research-to-practice model permitting professionals to continue working full-time while completing coursework, internships, and dissertation research focused on issues in special education. The applied course assignments, internships, and research-to-practice-based doctoral capstone experience (focused on improving school services) will positively impact each student’s professional work environment during and after the duration of this program. Furthermore, scholars’ skills in data interpretation and research will lead to better analysis of student achievement and formative improvements.

The U.S. Department of Education has provided grant funding for tuition scholarships to all members of the graduate student cohort. Scholarships are assured for the 5 years of the program. The total scholarship award is approximately $40,000 for each scholar. There is a “Service Obligation” requirement attached to the scholarship tuition funds. For more information see: Personnel Development Program Regulations. All students are required to submit the Pre-Scholarship Agreement and Exit Certification forms.

The Ed.D., USG is a 70-credit, doctoral cohort program designed to be completed in five years of part-time study. This program includes the completion of a capstone project. Scholars conduct research on a question or issue of interest under the mentorship of a University of Maryland, College Park professor during the final year of the program. Students formally defend their Project in the final semester of the program. The Ed.D., USG is designed to equip scholars with skills and expertise in the following areas:

  1. Leadership and Management in Special Education, including professional development and supervision;
  2. Oversight and evaluation of evidence-based instruction;
  3. Policy and legal issues in Special Education services;
  4. Methods to build positive partnerships with families of students with disabilities; and
  5. Data-based evaluation and research skills. Leaders will be prepared for positions such as Special Education Administrators, Regional Special Education Directors, and school-based Directors of Special Education programs.

The Ed.D., USG features a mix of traditional seminar-style, in-person instruction and online learning. Classes are held in The Universities at Shady Grove campus classrooms, offering a focused, distraction-free learning environment. UMD’s online learning environment delivers content through easy-to-use web-based technology that supports engaging and interactive learning. Instruction is provided by university faculty and experts in the field. The program uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in fall and spring semester (16 weeks each) and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).

Note: The contents of this microsite were developed under a grant (H325D) from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Program Contact Information

The Ed.D., USG is offered through the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education in the College of Education, University of Maryland, College Park. Students with specific academic questions may contact:

Dr. Agnesanne J. Danehey
Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
College of Education
1220D Benjamin Building
3942 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-1125
Email: adanehey@umd.edu

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