The doctoral concentration in Autism Research and Leadership program focuses on the preparation of personnel to assume leadership roles in the area of autism research, education, and training. In addition to the required course work, all doctoral students who are currently receiving federal funding are also required to accomplish a number of professional competencies including submitting a grant application for external funding, participating in mentored research prior to initiating their dissertation activities, submitting a manuscript for publication consideration, course instruction, presenting at national, state or regional conventions, and engaging in advocacy and volunteer activities involving students with autism or their support persons. The requirements are designed to increase the capacity of graduates to provide effective leadership in the area of autism programming and policy development and to conduct valid, empirical intervention-based research that will bridge existing research-to-practice gaps and improve outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

A Master's Degree in Special Education or a closely related field is required for application to the doctoral program. Candidates with master's degrees in other fields will be required to take up to five additional courses in Special Education, with advisor's approval.

At the doctoral level, emphasis is on broadening the scholars understanding of behavior and its impact on learning, ecological assessment, issues and emerging trends in the field of emotional/behavioral disorders, research and use of evidence-based practices, issues and practices in personnel development at the pre-service and graduate levels, components of effective programs and program evaluation and other topics relevant to the scholar’s terminal goals. Graduates of the PhD program typically assume positions in institutions of higher education and leadership roles in public and private schools.

This doctoral concentration focuses on the preparation of personnel to assume leadership roles in the area of mild/moderate disabilities research, education, and training. The requirements are designed to increase the capacity of graduates to provide effective leadership in the area of mild/moderate programming and policy development and to conduct valid empirical intervention research that will bridge existing research-to-practice gaps and improve outcomes for students with mild/moderate disabilities and their families. Students who have completed this program work in university settings as faculty members, as administrators for state and district level public education entities, in private schools as administrators or consultants, and for nonprofit agencies.

The concentration in Gifted and Talented Education prepares students for a number of careers, including the professoriate, gifted and talented district program coordinator, curriculum specialist, and state education agency director, among others. Also provides students with a Graduate Academic Certificate in Gifted Education (GACT-GATE) if requested and applied for. 

Human Development and Family Sciences focuses on individual growth and development across the lifespan as well as interpersonal interactions within the family context. This concentration provides advanced study in developmental and family theory; social, emotional, and cognitive development; marriage and family relationships; and diversity in multiple forms and contexts. Students are also provided opportunities to engage in empirical research as well as practicum and/or internship experiences in human service agencies. HDFS graduates are prepared for careers as university/college faculty; full-time researchers; positions in federal, state, and local government agencies; nonprofit administrators; and human service providers.

This program will teach you the nature of research design, measurement, and data analysis in the research process as well as the integrated relationships between each area. Coursework and experience in research design will help you put together strong research studies to answer questions across many fields. Measurement will focus on the proper assessment of the things we often wish to study, and the statistics elements will help you develop skills in data analysis and management. With this degree, you will be able to gather, analyze, and judge empirical information to help inform research and policy, and will be prepared to emphasize research and data analysis in a range of settings, including universities, public and private schools, corporations, and governmental roles.

This concentration examines learning and teaching, the influence of policy, and program impact in physical education, physical activity and sport programs. This program is located in the academic space where sport and education come together, and the subject matter forms the foundation of effective teaching and coaching. Research in sport pedagogy aims to develop new knowledge that can improve learning and lifetime physical activity by enhancing the development of sport experiences for diverse populations in varied learning settings.

The sport pedagogy concentration prepares candidates for successful careers as scholars, leaders, and teachers in a variety of higher educational settings, and leaders, teachers or coaches in physical education and physical activity programs.

Coursework for this program stems from the Departments of Educational Psychology, and Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation. Students learn research design and methodology associated with the field of sport and exercise psychology, including Applied Sport Psychology, Health and Exercise Psychology, and Social Psychology of Sport. Students gain practical experience that pertains to intervention and program development, effectiveness, and evaluation in sport, exercise, physical rehabilitation, performing arts, and military environments.

Students in this program experience the research process, including intervention development, study design, methods of evaluation, data collection and management, statistical analysis, professional consulting, scientific presentations and writing, and grantsmanship. Students also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience teaching at the college level. This program is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in academia, or research-based, non-profit and government agencies.