PhD in Special Education at Pennsylvania State University

Exceptional children are those who deviate so far from average in physical, intellectual, emotional, or social characteristics that they require highly specialized instruction and related services. The purpose of the M.Ed. program in Special Education is to prepare educational service providers of exceptional children in advanced training in academic and behavior management strategies. M.Ed. students are trained in behavior management and instructional design, implementation, and evaluation appropriate for effective work with children and youth who qualify for services for intellectual, behavioral, or physical disabilities at all age levels and degrees of severity. The purpose of the M.S. and Ph.D. programs is to prepare researchers and college and university teachers in areas encompassing the education of the children and youth who qualify for services for intellectual, behavioral and/or physical disabilities. The former program is professional in nature; the latter two, academic.