Those who want to attain the highest level of education as it pertains to special education should consider an online doctorate in special education degree. Through this type of degree program, students will learn the skills and competencies that will allow them to fill leadership and administrative roles in educational organizations. Students will be prepared to lead entire special education programs and design curriculum that serves the students within such a program. By pursuing this type of program online, students are able to save money and gain a greater measure of flexibility over their learning schedule.
If you are trying to find the best doctorate in special education degree programs online, we have compiled a list of our top choices. All of the programs in this ranking have all been accredited by nationally-recognized accreditation boards and have had their nonprofit status verified through the school’s official website. These rankings are ordered from highest to lowest score based on the affordability of their tuition and how quickly the program can be completed.
Featured Programs
Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit, and individual programs may have additional fees.
Ranking the Top Doctorate in Special Education Online Programs
#1. Liberty University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Special Education
Lynchburg, Virginia
Students at Liberty University are able to enroll in the school’s online doctorate in special education degree. Offered entirely online, the Online Doctor of Philosophy in Education – Special Education was created to provide students with the expert-level training needed to work in special education. Students in this program will learn valuable skills including teacher preparation, educational management skills, and more. By earning this program of study, students will be ready for any type of career in special education. This program takes a total of three years for students to complete and requires a total of 60 credit hours for its completion.
Tuition: $35,700
Score: 100
#2. Slippery Rock University of Pennslyvania
Online Doctor of Education with a concentration in Special Education
Butler County, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennslyvania offers its students an online doctorate in special education degree. Students who choose to pursue the Online Doctor of Education with a concentration in Special Education will receive the highest level of education and training needed for leadership positions in educational organizations. By choosing the Special Education concentration, students will learn the skills needed to design and administer special education curriculum. Offered mostly online, courses in this program are given both asynchronously and synchronously. Students are required to attend in-person weekend courses during the summer. To complete this program, students must complete a total of 60 credits.
Tuition: $38,700
Score: 99.75
#3. Grand Canyon University
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education
Phoenix, Arizona
The Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education degree is offered to students by Grand Canyon University. This online Doctor of Special Education degree is designed for students who want to further their education in educational leadership as it pertains to the administration of special education curriculum. By completing this program, students will be prepared for careers as school administrators, lead special education teachers, special education consultants, and much more. Courses in this program include Special Education Law, Ethical Dilemmas and Stewardship, and many others. A total of 60 credit hours must be completed for students to earn this degree.
Tuition: $39,000
Score: 99.5
#4. University of Colorado Denver
Online Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education
Denver, Colorado
Offered mostly online, students at the University of Colorado Denver can enroll in the school’s Online Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education degree. This online doctorate of special education degree was created to train students with the specific skills needed to work with young special needs students. After completing this program of study, students will be able to step into administrative and leadership roles. Within these roles, students will be able to develop programming designed to help students with special needs. This program is offered with online courses and some in-person classes. To complete this degree, students must earn a total of 54 credits.
Tuition: $39,474
Score: 99.25
#5. Texas Tech University
Doctorate in Special Education Online Programs
Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech University currently offers its Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education degree entirely online. This online doctorate of special education degree is designed for students who wish to step into leadership roles to help shape special education programs. Students will learn how to research, develop, and evaluate different teaching programs. By completing this program, students will have developed the different competencies required to work as special education consultants or other leadership roles in special education. Texas Tech University offers this program entirely online and does not require students to visit their campus during the program. A total of 90 credits are needed to complete this program of study.
Tuition: $41,850
Score: 99
#6. University of Toledo
Online Doctor in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education
Toledo, Ohio
The Online Doctor in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education degree is offered to students by the University of Toledo. This online doctorate of special education degree is designed to be completed over the course of four to five years. During this program of study, students will be trained for a variety of leadership positions in educational organizations. After completing this degree, students will be in a position of being able to enter into a variety of different organizations to shape their special education curriculums. To complete this program of study, students must earn a total of 70 credit hours. The University of Toledo also offers a virtual internship component to this degree that allows students to gain insight and experience from those already working in the field.
Tuition: $44,800
Score: 98.75
#7. Northcentral University
Doctorate in Special Education Online Programs
San Diego, California
Students at Northcentral University can enroll in an online doctorate of special education degree offered by the school. Called the Online Doctor of Education in Special Education degree, this program of study trains students with all the necessary information needed to effectively support students with special needs as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. After completing this degree program, students will be ready to begin careers as school district administrators as well as administrators of special education programs. Northcentral University estimates that a total of 40 months are needed to complete this program. Students must earn 48 credits to graduate with this degree.
Tuition: $45,696
Score: 98.5
#8. Hampton University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management with a specialization in Special Education
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton University offers its students the opportunity to enroll in their Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management with a specialization in Special Education degree. This online doctorate in special education degree is focused on helping students understand the skills needed to properly manage an educational facility or organization. They will learn how to become effective leaders alongside the various rules and information to help students with special needs succeed. This program at Hampton University is designed to be completed in 2.5 years. Students must earn a total of 66 credits to be eligible for graduation from this degree.
Tuition: $45,870
Score: 98.25
#9. University of Northern Colorado
Doctorate in Special Education Online Programs
Greeley, Colorado
Offered through the school’s Extended Campus, students can choose to enroll in the University of Northern Colorado’s Online Doctorate in Special Education degree. This online doctorate in special education degree will ready students to become advocates and leaders as they shape the future of special education. Courses in this program include Law of Exceptionalities, Research in Exceptionalities, and much more. If pursued as a full-time student, this program can be completed in as little as three years. Students who pursue this degree part-time are expected to complete it in five years. To complete this program of study, students must complete a total of 77 credit hours.
Tuition: $48,510
Score: 98
#10. Concordia University Chicago
Online Doctorate in Education Leadership – Special Education
Chicago, Illinois
Concordia University Chicago’s online doctorate in special education is designed to be completed entirely online. The Online Doctorate in Education Leadership – Special Education degree was created to help students develop the skills needed to be a leader in special education. Students will be tasked with understanding the weight of being an advocate for students with special needs to better understand how to properly educate these students. Courses in this program include International Perspectives in Special Education, Special Education Law and Policy, and much more. To complete this program of study, students must earn a total of 61 credits.
Tuition: $48,910
Score: 97.75
#11. Gwynedd Mercy University
Online Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Special Education
Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
The Online Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Special Education degree is offered to students at Gwynedd Mercy University. This online doctorate in special education degree was created to help students understand the various skills needed to work as a leader in education. Students will study curriculum development, education policy, community relations, and more. Learning how to properly manage faculty and staff, students will have gained the many skills needed to lead a special education program. Offered in an accelerated format, students can complete this program of study in as little as three years. Students must complete a total of 54 credit hours to complete this program of study.
Tuition: $52,110
Score: 97.5
#12. St John’s University
Online Doctorate in Literacy with a Special Education specialization
Queens, New York
Students at St. John’s University can enroll in the school’s online Doctorate in Literacy with a Special Education specialization. This program of study is created to help work with special needs populations to promote literacy among them. Students will learn how to work with students, teachers, and administrators in order to help implement policy and programs that can be used to help these groups succeed. Courses in this program of study include Literacy Leadership, Foundations of Literacy Inquiry and Professionalism, and many more. As a specialization of the Doctorate in Literacy, students will also take courses in Applied Behavior Analysis. To graduate from this program, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours.
Tuition: $53,130
Score: 97.25
#13. Ball State University
Doctorate in Special Education Online Programs
Muncie, Indiana
Ball State University offers its students an Online Doctor of Special Education degree to its students. Able to be completed mostly online, this program of study is designed for students who wish to pursue leadership or administrative roles in education. Students can choose from six different concentrations including Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism, General Special Education, and Teaching and Learning – Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. While the majority of the courses are offered to students online, students are required to visit the Ball State University campus at certain points throughout the curriculum. To graduate from this program, students must earn a total of 90 different credit hours.
Tuition: $55,440
Score: 97
#14. Regent University
Online Doctorate Special Education
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Students at Regent University can select the school’s Online Doctorate in Special Education degree. This online doctorate in special education degree can be completed almost entirely online except for a number of 4-day residences required throughout the program. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, this program will prepare students to work as special education administrators who oversee special education programs for a variety of different organizations. Courses in this degree program include Issues in Education, History of Special Education, International Special Education, and much more. Students must earn a total of 77 credits to complete this program of study.
Tuition: $58,125
Score: 96.75
#15. Endicott College
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behavior Analysis
Beverly, Massachusetts
The Online Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Behavior Analysis degree is designed by Endicott College to help students to learn one of the leading ways to work with those with developmental disabilities in an educational environment. This online doctorate of special education provides students with specialized education in understanding applied behavior analysis in order to help students with special needs. Using a variety of different scientific methods, students will develop intervention programs for students with autism and many other developmental disabilities. After completion of this program, students will be ready for a variety of leadership roles in special education. A total of 60 credit hours are required for the completion of this program.
Tuition: $63,640
Score: 96.5
#16. Nova Southeastern University
Online Doctor of Education with a concentration in Special Education
Broward County, Florida
Nova Southeastern University offers its students an online doctorate in special education degree that can be pursued online. Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Online Doctor of Education with a concentration in Special Education degree can help prepare students with the knowledge needed to work in leadership positions in education to help special needs students succeed. Courses in this program include Special Education Law and Policy, Seminar in the Nature of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and much more. To complete this program of study, students are required to earn a total of 54 credits.
Tuition: $71,820
Score: 96.25
#17. Drexel University
Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management with a concentration in Special Education Leadership
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Students at Drexel University are able to enroll in the school’s online doctorate in special education degree. Called the Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management with a concentration in Special Education Leadership degree, this program of study will prepare students with the skills needed to enter into leadership and administrative positions in educational organizations. Able to be completed in as little as three years, this program is designed to be completed entirely online and does not require a residency component. Courses in this program include School Law & Policy in Special Education, Organization & Administration of Special Education, and much more. A total of 60 credits are required to complete this degree.
Tuition: $75,900
Score: 96
#18. West Virginia University
Online Doctor of Education Program with Major in Special Education
Morgantown, West Virginia
West Virginia University offers students the opportunity to enroll in an online doctor of education with a major in special education. Students in this program of study will focus on becoming leaders in special education by learning how to be effective advocates for special needs students. They will learn how to design, implement, and evaluate special education curriculums. Upon completion of this degree, students will be ready for careers in leadership within education. This program of study has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students in this program must earn a total of 72 credits to complete this degree.
Tuition: $103,104
Score: 95.75
#19. University of Idaho
Online Doctor of Education – Special Education
Moscow, Idaho
The Online Doctor of Education – Special Education degree is offered to students by the University of Idaho. This online doctor of special education degree will prepare students for roles as leaders and administrators in special education. This particular program of study has students focusing their efforts on studying Autism Spectrum Disorders and other related disabilities. Students are able to pursue this degree program full-time or part-time depending on their own scheduling limitations. By completing this degree, students will be ready for a variety of different leadership roles in education. Students must earn a total of 84 credits.
Tuition: $125,196
Score: 95.5
#20. University of Pittsburgh
Online Doctor of Education – Special Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh offers students the opportunity to enroll in the school’s Online Doctor of Education – Special Education degree. This online doctorate of special education degree is offered to students mostly online. Students are required to visit campus at certain points throughout the pursuit of this degree program. By completing this degree, students will have gained the skills needed for leadership in special education. Students will be able to evaluate and implement special education curriculums designed to meet the needs of students of all types. To complete this program of study, the University of Pittsburgh requires a total of 90 credits for graduation.
Tuition: $142,470
Score: 95.25
Related:
Online Associate’s Special Education
Online Bachelor’s Special Education
Online Master’s Special Education
