- On Campus
The focus of the Ph.D. program in Educational Studies is to prepare scholars for leadership roles in teaching, research, and program supervision and development.
The emphasis is upon the generation of new knowledge or the reformulation of existing knowledge as a basis for the development of educational theory through research efforts. The test of knowledge is on the possible contribution to the development of educational theory, but you will also develop skills to improve educational practice.
All applicants for the doctoral program in special education are required to discuss their professional goals/interests with at least one faculty member in the department and secure faculty sponsorship before admission is awarded.
See Special Education and Communication Disorders for more information.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for priority funding, apply by January 15 for the Fall term.
- Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 550, Internet TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5
- Entrance exam(s): GRE
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement: Personal/professional goals.
- Writing Sample: Statement of writing or research.
- Faculty: The SECD Advisor Agreement Form (or an equivalent memo directly from the advisor), with all affirmative responses and a faculty member signature, is required before a student can be admitted to this program.
- Research Interest
- Three recommendation letters
- Assistantship: To be considered for an assistantship, 1) check the appropriate boxes in the Funding section of the admission application's Additional Information page and 2) complete the SECD Graduate Assistantship Application.
UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.