University of Miami - SCHOOL OF EDUCATION - Teaching and Learning (Specialization in Special Education)

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	Teaching and Learning (Specialization in Special Education) - Ph.D.

	PH.D. IN TEACHING AND LEARNING: SPECIAL EDUCATION The University of Miami�s Department of Teaching and Learning is pleased to offer special education as a specialty area within its doctoral program. Special education as an area of study includes coursework in special education research methods, diversity issues, as well as participation in ongoing faculty research. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities offered by both the School of Education and by other Schools and Colleges at the University to participate in seminars, workshops, and community partnerships. WHO SHOULD APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM? This program is designed for individuals who intend to pursue a career as faculty in institutions of higher education or as leaders in the special education community. We foresee that graduates will use their research skills to conduct independent research in the area of special education and/or provide expert advice to schools, school systems, nonprofit organizations, and/or other agencies on issues such as curriculum and instruction, staff development, and family involvement related to promoting the positive development and academic achievement of children with disabilities. CURRENT FUNDING AVAILABLE Special Education Leaders for Diversity SELDS A limited number of scholarships are available for students from ethnic minority groups, from the Office for Special Education programs� SELDS project. (Special Education Leaders for Diversity). For further information: SELDS flyer and the online application . REQUIRED COURSEWORK The program consists of 60 post-Baccalaureate course credits and 12 credits of doctoral study. Required courses are drawn from the program core, the study of social-demographic diversity, research methods, and the area of specialization. SELDS Project students will be encouraged to engage in research focusing on diversity. CORE TAL761: Cognitive Psychology in Special Education. *Description:* Learn about different cognitive theorists and discuss various theoretical positions as to their strengths and weaknesses within and across theories. Address theory refinement over time and the application of theory to research and practice. Review literature in a systematic manner and write an integrated and purposeful review of research. Develop a research proposal that is theory based. Participate in the peer review process. TAL762: Research in Special Education. *Description:* Critical analysis of empirical research studies in selected areas of special education research focusing on research designs, data analysis methods, and interpretation of findings. TAL763: Current issues in special education. *Description:* Current issues and trends in special education from historical, societal, policy, practice and research perspectives. Topics may include identification, referral and eligibility; inclusion and Least Restrictive Environment; parent involvement; participation of students with disabilities in high-stakes testing; cultural/linguistic diversity; the disproportionate placement of minorities; and teacher qualifications, certification and education. OR TAL765: Disability and Diversity - Critical Views *Description:* Examines critical issues in the cultural/historical conceptualization of the field of special education against the background of cross-cultural views of disabilities. DIVERSITY TAL 764: Issues and Trends in Multicultural Education Description: The study and critical examination of the theory and practice of multicultural education. Development of a personal theory of effective education for pluralism. Doctoral students are required to complete two additional graduate-level courses around thematic topics involving diversity in its various manifestations. Courses may be taken from different departments (e.g., psychology and sociology); the coursework should build on TAL 764 so as to form a coherent whole. The student and advisor shall determine which courses from across the University of Miami campus can be used to meet this requirement. Topics in diversity that are considered acceptable for the two-course sequence of study include: (a) TESOL, (b) poverty and social class, (c) gender, (d) race and ethnicity, (e) exceptionality, (f) culture, (g) urban issues, (h) rural issues, and (i) international issues. FOUNDATIONS TAL603: Teacher in American Society OR TAL753: The Social and Cultural Foundations of Education OR An equivalent post-graduate (Master, Ed.S., or Ph.D.) foundations course offered at a peer institution. RESEARCH Doctoral students are required to take the following three courses: (EPS553 Introductory Statistics, or an approved equivalent, is prerequisite for EPS568, EPS652, EPS654, and EPS670.) EPS 670: Introduction to research Methods *Description:* The nature of disciplined inquiry in behavioral and social sciences. Includes philosophy of science, quantitative and qualitative research, basic concepts in sampling and measurement, and systematic searches of the research literature. Students complete a literature search on a topic of their interest and submit a report of their findings. EPS 671: Group Comparative Research Designs and ANOVA Methods *Description:* Group Comparative Research Designs and ANOVA Methods Group comparative designs, univariate parametric and nonparametric methods and statistical inference including probability, sampling, estimation, ANOVA, ANCOVA. Students use computer packages (SAS/SPSS). EPS 672: Correlational Designs and Regression Methods *Description:* Correlational designs and regression methods. Doctoral students are required to take at least two of the following courses: EPS 673: Advanced Multivariate Statistics *Description:* Techniques for the analysis of multiple quantitative measures, including multiple regression, discriminant analysis, canonical variate analysis, and MANOVA. Computer application is integrated. EPS 652: Nonparametric Methods for Quantitative Analysis *Description:* Univariate nonparametric statistical techniques for applications in the behavioral and social sciences. These �sturdy� statistical methods will be developed by analogy with the corresponding parametric models. The SPSS-X statistical package will be used to analyze data sets provided by the instructor. EPS 675: Qualitative Research Methods I *Description* An overview of the history, nature, characteristics, strategies, and ethics of qualitative research methods. Critical analysis and evaluation of various types of qualitative studies, including design, sampling, processes of data collection and analysis, and reporting results. EPS 676: Qualitative Research Methods II: Case Studies and Grounded Theory *Description:* Types and designs of case studies, development of protocol, field work, data analysis, report writing. Procedures and techniques for conducting grounded theory studies, including data coding and analysis, and reporting of results. EPS 677: Qualitative Research Methods III: Interviewing and Content Analysis *Description:* Sociological and oral history interview methods, including methodological issues, computer-based coding, decoding and interpreting data, visual and text based content analysis, scoring schemas and inter-rater reliability. EPS 651: Survey Research Methods *Description:* Focus on standards and practical strategies for designing different types of survey instruments and conducting survey research. Students are required to develop a proposal for survey research, develop a survey instrument, and conduct a small pilot study by collecting, analyzing, and reporting survey data. EPS 654: Program Evaluation *Description:* Terminology, models, standards, practices, and common problems associated with program evaluation in educational and social service settings. EPS 661: Measurement and Psychometric Theory *Description:* This course provides an introduction to the theory and application of measurement and psychometric models used in the behavioral sciences. Prerequisite: EPS 672 or equivalent course on regression analysis. EPS 662: Item Response Theory *Description:* The purpose of the course is to provide training in the theory and application of item response theory (IRT) as it pertains to educational and psychological measurements. Focus will be given to discussing IRT as a measurement model used to measure the properties of items and individuals. Particular attention will be given to contrasting the properties of the IRT model to those of classical test theory, and the application of IRT to actual data sets. Prerequisites: EPS 672, EPS 661. DISSERTATION TAL781 through 787: Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation. *Description:* Twelve credits in these courses are required of all candidates for the Ph.D. Credit is awarded when dissertation has been accepted. DOCTORAL PROGRAMS OF STUDY Programs of Study for Ph.D. degree in the Department of Teaching and Learning are individualized based on the student�s career goals, previous academic and professional background, and faculty recommendations. The student is required to file a Program of Study and a Course Sequence Plan prior to the end of the second semester of study. The program of study is developed in collaboration with a faculty advisory and a supervisory committee. Courses in the major field of study are selected in consultation with a faculty advisory committee. Number and array of courses vary according to the student�s career goals and previous graduate coursework. For additional details about doctoral programs of study, refer to the University of Miami Graduate Bulletin . NATIONAL RANKINGS The Department of Teaching and Learning is ranked *Number 1* in curriculum and instruction. TAL�s mathematics and science education area is ranked *Number 3* in mathematics education. And the School�s research and measurement area is ranked *Number 4* in educational evaluation and research. *See* Academic Analytics . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please contact one of the following faculty: Marjorie Montague, Professor Beth Harry, Professor Batya Elbaum, Associate Professor Department of Teaching and Learning School of Education University of Miami 5202 University Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305-284-4961 Fax: 305-284-6998 School of Education web site School of Education web site for graduate students forms and policy manuals University of Miami web site for graduate students University of Miami web site for academic bulletins September, 2008

Note: Programs, program components, and courses subject to change.