Ed.D. in Special Education
Earn your doctoral degree in three years or less!
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TOTAL COST
$23,914
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NEXT START DATE
Apr 07, 2025
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COMPLETION TIME
36 Months†
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AVG. SALARY PREMIUM
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SEMESTER CREDITS
64
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- Why ACE?
- Tuition
- Program Details
- Start Dates
- Courses
- Featured Faculty
- Admission Requirements
Ed.D. in Special Education
Step into a leadership role within the field of special education. Engage in the theory, research and best practices that will help you become an expert practitioner, ready to step into school leadership, educational consultant or advocate roles. Hone your passion for supporting individuals with special needs by studying ways to improve academic, social and transition outcomes for your students. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.
Note: This degree is not designed for licensure.
Why ACE?
Low-Cost, High Quality
You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master’s degrees at a total average cost of $9,500. Our graduates enjoy an average pay increase of over $21,000.¹ We also award over $1.1M in scholarships and grants each year.
Quality You Expect
We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 86% graduation rate.¹ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.
Flexibility You Need
Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.
1Source: Student Right to Know
Tuition
We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.
Total Cost Ed.D. in Special Education |
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Total Tuition 64 semester credits x $306 per credit |
$19,584 |
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Fees $100 Application Fee$150 Conferral Fee $1200 Dissertation Fee (6 Courses X $200 per Course) $2880 Technology and Library Fee (64 Semester Credits X $45 per Credit) |
$4,330 |
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Total Program Cost |
$23,914 |
Find a plan that fits your budget.
When We Say Low Cost, We Mean It

Austin Peay State University
Grand Canyon University
University of Phoenix
Walden University
Source: Internal Research Completed June 2024
Program Details
Focus of Study
Curriculum and Instruction
Early Childhood Education
General Track
Higher Education
Health and Wellness
Instructional Leadership
Instructional Technology
Leadership
Literacy
STEM Education
Second Language Instruction
Public and Nonprofit Leadership
The Ed.D. in Special Education provides an advanced degree specifically targeting research, theory, and best practices in the special education field. A student completes coursework focused on developmentally appropriate practice, advocacy, diversity and research, and scholarship. Students complete a final dissertation at the end of their program. This degree is not designed for licensure and is best suited for individuals who seek to work as a leader or scholar-practitioner in this field. The focus of study allows a student to select a concentration that will support their professional goals. Students will engage in scholarly research throughout the coursework to support their final dissertation.
Program Outcomes
- Design and modify general and specialized curricula to increase access and meet the diverse learning needs and developmental growth of students with exceptionalities.
- Analyze, synthesize, and apply seminal and current research, pedagogical principles, and assistive technology to support the use of best practices in the special education classroom.
- Examine, design, and implement appropriate assessments to minimize bias, support individual student needs, and utilize results for instructional and placement decisions.
- Construct models to support positive collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders to improve programs, services, and outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities and their families.
- Develop strategies to support professional development, leadership, and advocacy efforts in special education.
- Examine current trends, laws, and policy in special education and the role that they play in safeguarding the rights of students with exceptionalities.
- Demonstrate understanding of cultural, social, and economic diversity and individual learner differences to inform the creation of an inclusive learning environment where all students feel respected and valued and have the resources and support necessary to reach their fullest potential.
Start Dates
With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it’s best for you.
April 07, 2025 Term
Apr 04, 2025
Payment Due
Apr 04, 2025
Application Due
Apr 07, 2025
Term Start
Apr 11, 2025
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
May 11, 2025
Term End
May 19, 2025 Term
June 09, 2025 Term
July 07, 2025 Term
August 18, 2025 Term
September 08, 2025 Term
September 29, 2025 Term
November 10, 2025 Term
January 12, 2026 Term
February 23, 2026 Term
Courses
Here are just some of the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.
LEAD6001 |
Introduction to Advanced Studies |
1 Semester Credits |
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LEAD6011 |
Leadership as a Reflective Practice |
1 Semester Credits |
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LEAD6021 |
Leadership Seminar |
1 Semester Credits |
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SPED6003 |
Strategies and Methods for Reading Intervention |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6013 |
Assistive Technology for Exceptional Learners |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6023 |
Differentiated Instruction for Exceptional Learners |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6033 |
Trends and Issues in Special Education |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6043 |
Assessment and Evaluation for Exceptional Learners |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6063 |
Building Family and Professional Partnerships |
3 Semester Credits |
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SPED6073 |
Exploring the Autism Spectrum |
3 Semester Credits |
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Featured Faculty
Our real-world coursework is taught by experienced faculty.
Admission Requirements
ACE General Admission Requirements
Program Admission Requirements
International Transcript Requirements
English as a Second Language Applicants
*This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, receipt of institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)
It is a state of California requirement that a student who pays his or her tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment of zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges, rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, for the California Student Tuition Recovery Fund. For more information and to see if you must pay the state-imposed assessment for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) click here.
†This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, successful course completion, and meeting program milestones as required.