Michigan State University offers a Ph.D. in Special Education through its College of Education. The research-based degree program involves mentorship from former special education teachers and service providers. Students may choose to pursue a research and coursework cognate, or area of interest such as applied behavior analysis, language and literacy, and technology. The core curriculum consists of three courses: Academic Issues in Special Education, Multicultural Issues in Special Education, and Special Topics in Special Education – Applied Research Methods. The program also requires a comprehensive and preliminary exam, mentored teaching experiences, annual reviews, and a doctoral dissertation. Students complete a minimum of six full-time credits per semester on the MSU campus.
Founded as an agricultural school in 1855, MSU has evolved into a public research university and one of the nation's largest universities in terms of student enrollment. A land- and sea-grant institution, MSU is a member of the Association of American Universities. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the campus includes the Abrams Planetarium, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, and more. U.S. News & World Report ranks MSU at No. 85 in National Universities and No. 35 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks at No. 23 in Best Education Schools at the graduate level.