The mission of the Special Education program area is to promote the successful inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families in society through excellence in the education of teachers and leaders, the generation of new knowledge, and the application of existing knowledge.

UF seeks to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Florida, the nation, and the world by pursuing new knowledge and its dissemination while building upon the rich experiences of the past. The University values quality and inclusive public education, leading-edge research, and meaningful outreach and public service as ways to distinguish itself among the finest public universities in the nation. The University of Florida must create the broadly diverse environment necessary to foster multi-cultural skills and perspectives in its teaching and research for its students to contribute and succeed in the world of the 21st century.

In keeping with this institutional perspective, the faculty in the special education doctoral program recognizes the importance of the three-fold mission and actively seek to improve the lives and outcomes of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood and their families (a) by generating new knowledge through a variety of research endeavors, (b) through practical application of knowledge in real world settings, and (c) by preparing doctoral students for leadership roles in colleges, universities, research centers, public policy institutes, professional associations, school districts or human service agencies.

The Special Education doctoral program faculty is committed to fostering a research community among professors and doctoral students whose work directly contributes to the advancement and betterment of infants, toddlers, children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families and teachers.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Special Education

  • Doctor of Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy
    • concentration in Clinical and Translational Science
    • concentration in Early Childhood Studies 
  • Master of Arts in Education
  • Master of Education
  • Specialist in Education

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Special Education Courses

EEX 6053Foundations of Special Education3
EEX 6072Accessing Academic and Social Communities for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6125Interventions for Language and Learning Disabilities3
EEX 6219Reading Assessment and Intervention for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6222Evaluation in Special Education3
EEX 6233Fundamentals of Academic Assessment and Intervention3
EEX 6661Fundamentals of Behavior Assessment and Intervention3
EEX 6750Families and Transition for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6786Collaborative Practice in Inclusive Schools3
EEX 6841Practicum in Special Education: Mild Disabilities1-6
EEX 6863Supervised Practice in Special Education1-6
EEX 6905Individual Work1-4
EEX 6910Supervised Research1-5
EEX 6936Special Topics1-3
EEX 6940Supervised Teaching1-5
EEX 6971Research for Master's Thesis1-15
EEX 6296Differentiated Instruction3
EEX 7303Inquiry in Special Education: Analysis of the Literature3
EEX 7304Introduction to Field of Inquiry in Special Education3
EEX 7526Grant Writing Seminar in Education3
EEX 7787School Improvement for All Students3
EEX 7934Seminar: Trends in Special Education3
EEX 7979Advanced Research1-12
EEX 7980Research for Doctoral Dissertation1-15

Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies Departmental Courses

EEC 6205Early Childhood Curriculum3
EEC 6304Creativity in the Early Childhood Curriculum3
EEC 6326Social and pre-academic instructional methods for young children3
EEC 6405Families as a Context in Early Childhood Studies3
EEC 6419Families, Disabilities, and Diversity3
EEC 6525Issues in Child Care Administration3
EEC 6615Early Childhood Education: Background and Concepts3
EEC 6636Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues in Early Childhood Policy3
EEC 6665History, Child Development, and Equity in Early Childhood Policy3
EEC 6667Theory and Analysis in Early Childhood Policy3
EEC 6818Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood Settings3
EEC 6905Individual Work1-4
EEC 6910Supervised Research1-5
EEC 6933Special Topics1-12
EEC 6940Supervised Teaching1-5
EEC 7056Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy3
EEC 7617Early Childhood Asessment & Evaluation3
EEC 7666Theory and Research in Early Childhood Studies3
EEC 7979Advanced Research1-12
EEC 7980Research for Doctoral Dissertation1-15
EEX 6053Foundations of Special Education3
EEX 6056Foundations of Special Education 23
EEX 6072Accessing Academic and Social Communities for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6099Social Perspectives on Disability3
EEX 6125Interventions for Language and Learning Disabilities3
EEX 6135Foundations of Literacy Development and Dyslexia3
EEX 6136Dyslexia: Language and the Brain3
EEX 6137Dyslexia: Assessment for Intervention3
EEX 6138Dyslexia: Methods for Intervention3
EEX 6219Reading Assessment and Intervention for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6222Evaluation in Special Education3
EEX 6233Fundamentals of Academic Assessment and Intervention3
EEX 6266Strategies for Tching and Lrng3
EEX 6296Differentiated Instruction3
EEX 6308Single Subject Research Design3
EEX 6347Meta-Analysis in Prevention and Intervention Science3
EEX 6525Disability Related Policy and Legislation3
EEX 6661Fundamentals of Behavior Assessment and Intervention3
EEX 6745Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Disability in Education3
EEX 6750Families and Transition for Students with Disabilities3
EEX 6778Community and Work Access for Individuals with Disabilities3
EEX 6786Collaborative Practice in Inclusive Schools3
EEX 6841Practicum in Special Education: Mild Disabilities1-6
EEX 6855Dyslexia: Practicum in Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention3
EEX 6863Supervised Practice in Special Education1-6
EEX 6905Individual Work1-4
EEX 6910Supervised Research1-5
EEX 6930Seminar in Disabilities3
EEX 6936Special Topics1-3
EEX 6940Supervised Teaching1-5
EEX 6971Research for Master's Thesis1-15
EEX 6973Project in Lieu of Thesis1-6
EEX 7303Inquiry in Special Education: Analysis of the Literature3
EEX 7304Introduction to Field of Inquiry in Special Education3
EEX 7526Grant Writing Seminar in Education3
EEX 7787School Improvement for All Students3
EEX 7934Seminar: Trends in Special Education3
EEX 7979Advanced Research1-12
EEX 7980Research for Doctoral Dissertation1-15
EEX 7981Inquiry in SPED: Proposal Dev3
SPS 5000Introduction to Psychoeducational Assessment3
SPS 6052Issues and Problems in School Psychology3
SPS 6191Psychoeducational Assessment I3
SPS 6192Psychoeducational Assessment II3
SPS 6193Academic Assessment & Intervention3
SPS 6195Developmental Psychopathology3
SPS 6197Psychoeducational Assessment III3
SPS 6410Direct Interventions I: Applied Behavior Analysis for School Psychologists3
SPS 6707Interventions in School Psychology II: Cognitive Behavioral Interventions3
SPS 6708Interventions in School Psychology III: System Level Interventions for Children and Youths3
SPS 6815Law and Ethics in Psychology3
SPS 6905Individual Study1-3
SPS 6918Supervised Research1-5
SPS 6937Special Topics in School Psychology1-3
SPS 6941Practicum in School Psychology1-4
SPS 6942School Psychology Practicum II1-6
SPS 6945Advanced Practicum in School Psychology1-6
SPS 6948Supervised Teaching1-5
SPS 7205School Psychology Consultation3
SPS 7931Seminar in School Psychology1-3
SPS 7949Internship in School Psychology3-6
SPS 7979Advanced Research1-12
SPS 7980Research for Doctoral Dissertation1-15

Special Education (PhD)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will apply advanced levels of knowledge in the following core areas: (a) trends and issues in Special Education and their relationship to practice, policy, and research; (b) acquisition, organization, and interpretation of information about research in Special Education; c) identification of research questions and methodology emanating from different knowledge paradigms; and, (d) critique of Special Education research and practice from various knowledge paradigms.

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will attain the technical knowledge and skills to become independent scholars capable of conducting research and evaluating educational programs, products, and practices.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will give a presentation to other professionals or submit a paper for publication based on a research project.

Special education (edd)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Candidates will apply advanced levels of knowledge in the following core areas: (a) trends and issues in Special Education and their relationship to practice, policy, and research; (b) acquisition, organization, and interpretation of information about research in Special Education; c) identification of research questions and methodology emanating from different knowledge paradigms; and, (d) critique of Special Education research and practice from various knowledge paradigms.  

SLO 2     Skills     
Candidates will attain the technical knowledge and skills to become independent scholars capable of conducting research and evaluating educational programs, products, and practices.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Candidates will give a presentation to other professionals or submit a paper for publication based on a research project.

special education (eds)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Program participants will identify and apply effective academic and behavioral interventions for students with disabilities and other learning differences.

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Program participants will identify and discuss an area of study within the field of special education (e.g. reading; transition; behavior).

SLO 3     Skills     
Program participants will use a variety of techniques/tools to determine academic and behavioral needs of students with disabilities and other learning differences.

SLO 4     Skills     
Program participants will use professional literature to discuss current issues in special education.

SLO 5     Professional Behavior   
Program participants will demonstrate leadership and professional growth through involvement in collaborative (e.g. consultation; coteaching), participatory (e.g. attending professional conferences), and/or leadership activities (e.g. conducting school/district level inservice, conference presentations, mentoring a new teacher).

Special Education (MAE)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Program participants will identify and apply effective academic and behavioral interventions for students with disabilities and other learning differences

SLO 2     Skills     
Program participants will use a variety of techniques/tools to determine academic and behavioral needs of students with disabilities and other learning differences

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
Program participants will use data to monitor progress and make decisions regarding academic and behavioral programs and instruction for students with disabilities and other learning differences

Special Education (MEd)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Program participants will identify and apply effective academic and behavioral interventions for students with disabilities and other learning differences

SLO 2     Skills     
Program participants will use a variety of techniques/tools to determine academic and behavioral needs of students with disabilities and other learning differences

SLO 4     Professional Behavior   
Program participants will use data to monitor progress and make decisions regarding academic and behavioral programs and instruction for students with disabilities and other learning differences