University of North Texas 
Learning Disabilities & Behavior Disorders
Special Education- Learning Disabilities & Behavior Disorder
Graduate program offered by the UNT College of Education
At the doctoral level, emphasis is on broadening the scholars understanding of behavior and its impact on learning, ecological assessment, issues and emerging trends in the field of emotional/behavioral disorders, research and use of evidence-based practices, issues and practices in personnel development at the pre-service and graduate levels, components of effective programs and program evaluation and other topics relevant to the scholar’s terminal goals. Graduates of the PhD program typically assume positions in institutions of higher education and leadership roles in public and private schools.
The doctoral program in special education requires a minimum of 63 hours of course work and research experience.
A master’s degree with a major in special education or a closely related field is required for application to the PhD. Candidates with master’s degrees in other fields will be required to take up to five additional courses in special education, with advisor’s approval.
The following requirements are for students who enter the program with a related master’s degree.
Educational psychology PhD core, 6 hours
And one of the following
Educational Research core, 15 hours
- EPSY 6010 - Statistics for Educational Research
- EPSY 6020 - Research Methods in Education
- EPSY 6210 - Multiple Regression Analysis and Related Methods
- EPSY 6280 - Qualitative Research in Education
- and one elective course in research, measurement or statistics with advisor’s approval (3 hours)
Special Education core, 21 hours
- EDSP 6270 - Analysis of Trends, Issues and Research in Special Education
- EDSP 6275 - Advanced Studies in Evidence Based Practices in High and Low Incidence Disabilities
- EDSP 6290 - Special Education and Public Policy
- EPSY 6120 - Advanced Program Evaluation
- EPSY 6122 - Single-Subject Research Methodology
- EDSP 6295 - Seminar in Professional Leadership in Special Education
- One elective with advisor’s approval (3 hours).
Concentration Area, 9 hours
Learning disability and behavior disorders concentration
- EDSP 6420 - Advanced Studies in Learning Disabilities and Emotional/Behavior Disorders
- EDSP 6430 - Literacy Research for Special Populations
- One elective course with advisor’s approval (3 hours).
Supervised research/practice, 3 hours
Dissertation, 9 hours minimum
- EPSY 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation (3, 6 or 9 hours per semester)