ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The doctoral program at UNC Charlotte prepares special educators as innovators, teachers, leaders, and researchers whose work contributes to enhancing the quality of life of individuals who are exceptional learners and their families.  This program provides the solid research foundation needed for the rapidly changing field of special education.  Alumni of the program are currently employed as special education faculty, research scientists, and special education administrators. 


Innovator

Enhancing quality of life for individuals who are exceptional learners and their families requires having the skills to create change.  Change occurs when people have a new vision of what can be achieved and the resources to work towards that vision.  Doctoral training at UNC Charlotte builds capacity among special educators to be involved in ongoing quality enhancement in programs that serve individuals with exceptionalities.  Some of the ways graduates gain skills to be innovators is through learning strategies for program evaluation, quality enhancement, consultation, and collaboration.


Teacher

The doctoral program at UNC Charlotte builds on the program's strong tradition of training classroom teachers at the graduate and undergraduate levels.  Doctoral students advance their skills for teaching students with exceptionalities by learning current research on instruction and its implications for practice.  They also acquire knowledge and skills for teacher training at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  Advanced teaching is developed through special seminars, opportunities to co-teach coursework in a specialty area, and through supervising student teachers.


Leader

Doctoral students at UNC Charlotte acquire skills that can be used in leadership in higher education, school districts, government, or community agencies.  Leadership requires understanding policy and special education law and having skills in administration such as public speaking and leading a decision-making team.  Leaders need skills to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and to ensure equal access to educational opportunities.  Students can pursue additional leadership training through specially arranged internships or by taking coursework in educational administration.


Researcher

The doctoral program at UNC Charlotte is a research-intensive degree program.  All students are expected not only to learn to interpret research, but to generate new information through conducting studies and professional writing.  Students take courses that include quantitative, qualitative, and single subject methodologies and have opportunities to work with faculty in conducting research studies.  Students who anticipate a career as researchers will be able to take additional research coursework, work with faculty on ongoing research studies, and begin to develop their own research agenda.

Contact Dr. Diane Browder, Doctoral Coordinator at 704-687-8836 or dbrowder@uncc.edu for additional information.