Online Ed.D. in Special Education
Lead and make an impact as a special education professional
100% online
As few as 3 years
27-54 credit hours
$1,090 cost per credit
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Enhance your knowledge and expertise to help exceptional learners
- Apply By: 02/08/2027
- Start Class: 03/08/2027
Make a meaningful impact on the lives of students with Brenau’s online Ed.D. in Special Education. With special education representing a significant portion of public-school students, there is high demand for creative, skilled leaders who can shape the future of the field. This concentration hones your expertise in advanced assessment, legal frameworks and current trends, enhancing your ability to meet diverse student needs. Graduates gain leadership skills and prepare for marketable roles in schools, ECE programs, government agencies and research, aligning with long-term career goals and a commitment to student success.
Concentrations details
- Prepare to lead in special education with advanced strategies for diverse learners
- Gain expertise in assessment, legal frameworks and current trends
- Expand career opportunities in schools, ECE programs, government and research
- Learn from experienced faculty invested in your growth
- Develop creative, evidence-based approaches to improve student outcomes
Master your skills with an online Ed.D. program in Georgia
Brenau’s Ed.D. Special Education specialization prepares you to lead and innovate in educating exceptional learners. Courses cover Special Education Law (SE 891), guiding you through IDEA, Section 504, FERPA and other legal frameworks essential for daily practice.
Advanced Assessment (SE 892) helps you interpret psychoeducational data and design instruction that meets diverse student needs. Trends and Issues (SE 893) explores current research and effective teaching strategies for special education.
Teaching with Technology (ED 894) focuses on assistive devices, communication tools and distance learning to enhance student outcomes. Graduates leave with practical skills and leadership preparation for schools, ECE programs, government agencies and research settings.
Special education required courses
Examine the theoretical foundations, research methodologies, and application of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education.
This course focuses on law and policies that apply to the education of students with disabilities, and will present the special education teacher/specialist/administrator with several legal issues that they will encounter in their daily practice. This course include a review of the legal system, constitutional and statutory provisions of federal and state law, and the judicial decisions relating to the education of students with disabilities. The course will include immersion in the foundational concepts of equal protection and in procedural and substantive due process as they relate to special education. Students will examine national and state legislation [e.g., IDEA legislation and its six principles, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Family Education Rights Act (FERPA), recent state dyslexia laws]. A focus on school practices in special education will be the rational of exploring these laws and concepts, along with how to research court case rulings that pertain to specific states and how to locate current information on pertinent legal issues.
Students will explore and research special diagnostic procedures proven effective for use with exceptional learners, with implications for prescriptive planning. Students will administer and interpret assessment data to plan instructional pathways that facilitate optimal outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Students will read and interpret assessment data from psychoeducational evaluations and explore implications for using the data to drive instructional practice and decisions.
Students will explore and reflect on current trends, issues, and research of effective teaching and learning related to special education. Students will evaluate and apply current trends, issues, and research in education to make decisions about effective teaching for students with disabilities. Students will analyze and synthesize knowledge acquired through course content and research to create a professional, development presentation on a relevant topic in their educational environment.
Students will explore the design, development and use of technology that benefits students with disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating assistive technology; including approaches and devices for communication, mobility, and sensory impairments; distance learning technology for transition to the community and post school careers.
Explore the theoretical and practical dimensions of advocacy, collaboration, and family partnerships within the context of special education.
Brenau’s Ed.D. program offers core coursework that covers essential education topics, including curriculum design, academic program assessment and education policy. You’ll strengthen your capacity for leadership and explore the emerging trends driving the future of education.
View Program CurriculumExperience strong career growth and leadership opportunities in special education
Graduates of the Ed.D. Special Education specialization are prepared to lead and shape the future of teaching and support for students with diverse learning needs. While overall employment for special education teachers is projected to remain relatively steady with about 37,800 annual openings through replacement needs, these roles continue to be critical in school systems nationwide and offer a stable foundation for leadership positions in public and private education, government and research.1
In May 2024, the median annual wage for special education teachers was approximately $64,270 nationally, which reflects competitive compensation in education fields and indicates that advanced credentials can enhance both career opportunities and marketability.1 With an Ed.D. concentration, students deepen skills in assessment, legal frameworks and innovative instruction, all while preparing for administrative, policy and specialized educational roles that support long-term professional growth. Please note that all salaries listed below are specific to Georgia.
Transform education with in-demand roles for special education leaders
Special Education Teacher $58,840 per year2
Instructional Coordinator $81,280 per year3
Explore more Doctor of Education concentrations
We offer additional Doctor of Education programs focused on elementary, middle grades and special education. Review those as well as our Doctor of Education in Higher Education programs with concentrations in leadership and teaching and learning.
Frequently asked questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
Special education makes up roughly 14% of all public school students nationwide – more than seven million students – and there’s significant demand for leaders who can shape how schools and programs serve them. Brenau’s Ed.D. in Special Education adds concentration-specific coursework in special education law, advanced assessment techniques, current trends and issues, and technology for students with disabilities.
Graduates typically pursue leadership roles in public or private schools, special education programs, government agencies, or research organizations. An admissions counselor can talk through how this connects to your specific goals.
An Ed.D. is built for practitioners who want to apply research directly to leadership and program decisions in special education, while a PhD is typically oriented toward original academic research. Brenau’s Ed.D. reflects this with applied coursework in special education law and assessment, plus a dissertation grounded in a real issue in the field you choose.
If you’re deciding between the two, an admissions counselor can help you think through which path – leading programs (Ed.D.) or generating theoretical research (PhD) – fits your goals.
Brenau’s Ed.D. program overall is designed to be completed in less than three years, combining online coursework with two required weekend residencies, built for working education professionals rather than full-time doctoral students.
An admissions counselor can walk through a realistic schedule based on your current work situation and target start date.
Admission follows Brenau’s standard Ed.D. requirements: a degree from an institution recognized by DAPIP and eligible for Title IV federal financial aid. Most applicants have already completed a master’s degree or have relevant professional experience in special education.
An admissions counselor can confirm your specific eligibility based on your background.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Special Education Teachers.” Retrieved April 3, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, 25-2059 Special Education Teachers, All Other.” Retrieved June 9, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes252059.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 25‑9031 Instructional Coordinators.” Retrieved April 3, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes259031.htm.