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Doctoral Program Handbook

‐ 2017 Edition ‐

Department of Special Education

New Mexico State University

(revised 2018)

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Table of Contents

Introduction (pg. 4)

Mission Statements (pg. 5)

New Mexico State University (pg. 5)

Non Discriminatory Policy (pg. 5)

College of Education at New Mexico State University (pg. 5)

Core Values

Department of Special Education Mission (pg. 6)

Special Education Doctoral Program Objectives (pg. 6)

Special Education Program Philosophy (pg. 6)

Doctoral Degrees (pg. 7)

Doctorate of Philosophy Doctorate of Education

Admission to the Special Education Doctorate Program (pg. 8)

Graduate Assistantship (pg. 8)

International Students (pg. 9)

Full admissionConditional admissionEnglish proficiencyEnrollment

Application Process (pg. 10)

Minimum RequirementsAdvisor

Qualifying/Intake Exam (pg. 11)

Graduate Faculty (pg. 12)

Grade Requirements (pg. 13)

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Comprehensive Exam (pg. 13)

Portfolio Oral comprehensive examRequired materials for portfolio

Time period (pg. 15)

Dissertation, Prospectus, and Defense (pg. 15)

Dissertation Approval and Defense (pg. 16)

First Year of Study (pg. 16)

Graduate program of study

Course requirements

Doctorate of Philosophy in Special Education (pg. 17)

Doctorate of Education in Special Education (pg. 18)

Final Exam (pg. 19)

Special Education Faculty Bios (pg. 20)

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the doctoral program in the Department of Special Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The intention of this handbook is to provide students and their faculty advisors with guidelines and requirements about the program. This handbook serves to complement the New Mexico State University Graduate School’s academic policies and students and their advisors are encouraged to consult both resources. To access the most recent copy of NMSU Graduate School’s policy, please visit: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/.

The Special Education Doctorate Program here at New Mexico State University is committed to preparing professionals in the areas of teaching, research, service, and leadership positions. All students within this program are guided to conduct independent research, become critical/independent thinkers, advocates for populations with special needs, and embrace diversity. Upon completion of the doctorate in special education the student will be able to inform policies that promote the well being of individuals with special needs at the local, community, societal, and global levels.

This is an exciting time in the field of Special Education as this is an evolving profession with numerous opportunities for occupational and professional growth. By earning a Doctorate in Special Education, you’ll be in a unique position as professional and occupational opportunities are vast.

We, the faculty look forward to working with you.

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MISSION STATEMENTS

NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT

New Mexico State University is the state’s land-grant university, serving the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education, and public service.

Non-Discriminatory Policy

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is dedicated to providing equal opportunities in areas of employment and academics without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status as outlined in federal and state anti-discrimination statutes. As a federal contractor, NMSU’s affirmative action program also supports this effort. Further, NMSU is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of a person’s age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, serious medical condition, sex, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or spousal affiliation. Where a violation of policy is found to have occurred, NMSU will act to stop the conduct, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible in accordance with the NMSU Policy Manual and/or NMSU Student Code of Conduct.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Our mission is to serve the people of New Mexico (and elsewhere) through education, research, extension education, and public service with specific emphasis on innovative practices, overcoming barriers to learning, international activities, technology, and literacy for the diverse populations of New Mexico, surrounding states and border communities.

Core Values

Excellence

Excellence in research, teaching, and service as discipline specific standards rise along with new academic expectations.Integrity

Ethical behavior and accountability in our actions while at the same time demonstrating respect in the absence of agreement.

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Diversity

Make inclusivity a distinct and foundational pillar of our college in word, deed and behavior.

Transparency

Embrace a shared process of communication, providing rationale and clarity as important decisions are made that affect our college.

Leadership

Embrace a leadership and management style in which we are humble in our disposition, but ambitious for our college.

Innovation

Engaging in the continuous process of discovery in our respective fields so that what we provide our students is cutting edge.

DEPARTMENT MISSION

The mission of the Doctorate Program in Special Education is to prepare professionals to positively impact the lives of individuals with special needs in a global diverse community.

DOCTORAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

In alignment with University, College, and Departmental mission statements, a graduate from the NMSU doctoral program in the Department of Special Education will:

A. Have a comprehensive understanding and interest in the distinct characteristics, needs, and diverse populations of New Mexico and surrounding states and border communities.

B. Have an inherent interest in researching, disseminating, educating, and providing outreach efforts to a diverse population of students in higher education.

C. Have a research interest that directly or closely aligns to current faculty members.D. Have an overall interest in multi-cultural special education as it relates to their research,

teaching, and service. E. Have a depth of understanding in the unique exceptionalities of students as it relates to

their research, teaching, and service.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The Department of Special Education at NMSU offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education and is designed to educate personnel for

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teaching, research, and administrative positions in colleges and universities, as well as leadership positions in educational agencies.

Graduates of the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Special Education programs at NMSU receive equally rigorous scholarly training. The requirements for both degrees include coursework that develops both knowledge that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of education and expertise in the range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of having a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, our graduates focus their independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, diversity, institutions and society, and instructional practice. Graduates of both programs have and will assume roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

Both degrees require a dissertation based on research that is original and grounded in the research base in the field of Special Education. Required courses are found in both degree programs, but an individual’s interest in scholarly and academic interests are taken into consideration in order to develop a comprehensive program of study in collaboration with the doctoral student, the advisor of record and the student’s dissertation Committee. All doctoral students are expected to demonstrate competency in research endeavors specifically those seeking a Ph.D. that includes designing and conducting research in the area of Special Education.

DOCTORAL DEGREES

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The complex challenges facing 21st-century education require researchers who can collect and analyze information from multiple points of view and translate those findings into transformative ideas for education policy reform and practice. To earn a Ph.D. one must accomplish two things: complete a research project in order to master a subject completely and extend the body of knowledge of that subject. Designed for people who plan on a career devoted to research (conducted anywhere from a university setting to a lab), a Ph.D. is a thorough educational degree in a subject as well as the study of how to approach studying it. Rather than a desire to lead or manage organizations directly, Ph.D. students are often more interested in driving change by contributing their knowledge and expertise in some of the following ways: conducting research that reshapes and develops their field of expertise, altering political agendas or simply training the next generation of teachers to approach their craft from a new angle.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

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A doctorate of education (Ed.D.) is a terminal degree with a focus on applying research and foundational knowledge to real world organizational, leadership and educational issues. The Doctorate of Education program prepares students for academic, administrative, clinical, and professional or research positions in K-12 and higher education, civil service, private organizations or public institutions. Rather than focusing on developing new research (as with a Ph.D. program), students who pursue an Ed.D., use existing research to inform decisions around specific issues that lead to improved practices and teaching within their specific area of study.

Admission Deadline for both Ph.D. and Ed.D. - (prior to) February 10

Prior to admission to the doctorate program in the Department of Special Education, students must complete the necessary document as required by the NMSU Graduate School http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/. Students are highly encouraged to review the criteria for NMSU graduate school admission and complete all the necessary documentation prior to admission into the Special Education Doctorate Program. Applications to the doctorate program in Special Education will be accepted at any given time, but in order to be considered for graduate assistantship students must have all necessary materials by the review date stated above.

Graduate Assistantships

The NMSU Graduate School offers awards, assistantships and fellowships to qualified graduate students. All awards require faculty nominations. Continuing and newly admitted students can request either a faculty member or the department head to nominate them for the awards of the Graduate School. In selecting individuals for any assistantship or fellowship and in the administration of appointments, New Mexico State University will not discriminate on grounds of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status. The University limits the number of years a student may be supported on funds from the state of New Mexico. Departments may place additional limitations on the years of support. The student must be admitted to the Graduate School before a request for an assistantship or fellowship will be considered. For detailed information, application process and deadlines please consult http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/gradschool/announcements.html.

A student should check Graduate Assistant Employment Guidelines at the NMSU Graduate School at http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/ga/index. Departments may place additional limitations on the years of support.

Graduate assistantships, including teaching and research, offered by New Mexico State University are awarded primarily by the students’ academic department or department head. Employment guidelines may be found at: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/ga/index.htm. Students with assistantships must ensure that they are enrolled in, as well as successfully complete, 9 graded credits for full-time status. Graduate assistants should take no more than 15 course credits per semester. Students must also maintain a 3.0 grade-point-average. Courses taken for audit may count for the total course load, but may not be counted in the minimum graduate

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assistant course load requirement. If course deficiencies are identified, the student can register for 3 undergraduate credits and a minimum of 6 graded graduate credits during their first semester at NMSU to be eligible for a graduate assistantship. The duties of a graduate assistantship normally require about 10-20 hours per week (full-time, fall and spring) of student’s time. Typically, priority for graduate assistantships of 20 hours per week is given to full-time doctoral students and is subject to discretion of the academic department head. Furthermore, in order to continue to receive a graduate assistantship the student must be making satisfactory progress in their academic studies.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

As per the NMSU Graduate School policy regarding international students and admission the following applies:

New Mexico State University offers two admission categories to international students.

Full Admission: TOEFL 79 IBT; 550 PBT 6.5 IELTS

Conditional admission:

International students who are in this category are required to sit for the English Placement Exam prior to beginning academic coursework (The International Student and Scholar Services Office arranges this test upon arrival.) If the results of the English Placement Exam do not meet the requirements for academic coursework the student may be required to take additional academic English classes (SPCD 110 and/or SPCD 470).

English Proficiency

International students that wish to become teaching assistants must demonstrate that they are proficient in the English language. This is done by participating in an International Teaching Assistant Screenings (ITAS). The purpose of the ITAS exercise is to determine whether candidates will be required to take COMM 485 International Teaching Assistant Development course before being allowed a teaching assistant position.

The ITAS requires that a teaching assistant candidate deliver a short, ten minute teaching demonstration of a typical introductory undergraduate level course in a specific area relevant to the his or her area of studies. CELP faculty and an actual undergraduate student observe the demonstration.

Based on the results of this exercise, a full report by the CELP observers will be presented to the head of the department in which the graduate student wishes to be a teaching assistant.

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COMM 485 not requiredCOMM 485 recommended, but not requiredCOMM 485 required

*Ultimate authority to enforce the recommendation lies with the Department Head *

Enrollment

All international graduate students on F-1 or J-1 visas are required to comply with Department of Homeland Security regulations governing maintenance of status related to full-time enrollment and making normal progress toward completing a degree. Therefore, all international graduate students are required to enroll in 9 or more credits (exclusive of audited work) during fall and spring semesters.

Application Process (All students)

The Department of Special Education doctorate program is committed to fostering a graduate student body that reflects the diversity within special education as reflected in a global community. We want to further develop a research community whose work will contribute to the advancement and betterment of students with special needs along with their parents and teachers. In order to identify doctoral students capable of transforming and improving the field of special education, a number of criteria are used.

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale • Official Graduate Records Exam scores

Additional documentation as required by the Department of Special Education:

Letter of Intent (professional goals, research interest) Three letters of reference (from individuals that can evaluate your potential to complete

doctoral studies) Curriculum Vita (current) Scholarly Writing Sample (10-15 scholarly paper following APA guidelines about a

current issue in the field of Special Education)

Upon completion of the required paperwork the Special Education faculty will meet in order to review the potential doctorate student’s application, make a decision regarding the capability of the student ‘s potential for doctoral studies, his/her research interest and ability to write and convey some pedagogical knowledge in the field of Special Education.

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The Coordinator or Department Head of the Doctoral Program in Special Education will notify students of acceptance or rejection in writing regarding the decision made by the faculty in the spring semester.

Three potential outcomes are possible: (1) admittance for study into the doctoral program, (2) denial of admittance and (3) provisional admittance with additional information required by the Special Education faculty.

AdvisorIn order to be admitted into the doctorate program a faculty member in Special Education must agree to serve as mentor to the prospective student. This mentoring relationship is crucial to the success of the student’s program of study and as such can be considered temporary, but may continue by mutual agreement. Prior to the first registration each student needs to make an appointment with the faculty member in order to establish a potential program of study for the doctorate degree. Changing doctoral advisors is generally discouraged; however, students may request a change of advisor by filling out the appropriate request form and acquiring the necessary signatures from the original advisor and planned new advisor. The selection of the advisor who will serve as dissertation chair must be by mutual consent between the student and the faculty member. The consenting faculty advisor must hold current graduate faculty status within the NMSU graduate school. The formal letter of admittance by the Department of Special Education will contain the name of faculty member who has agreed to serve as advisor and mentor to the doctoral student.

Emeritus faculty, adjunct faculty, and/or consultants cannot serve as advisors to doctoral students. Other forms of doctoral committee service by emeritus and/or adjunct faculty are subject to the discretion of Special Education faculty in conjunction with the Department Head of Special Education.

Qualifying/Intake Examination

As per the policy as set forth by the NMSU graduate school all Doctoral students regardless of Ph.D. or Ed.D., must pass a qualifying examination.

This examination is scheduled by the student's advisor and is administered by the major department. Its purpose is to determine the areas in which the student shows strength or weakness, as well as the ability to assimilate subject matter presented at the graduate level. This initial examination can occur during the first semester of doctoral studies, however the recommendation is that the exam takes place within the first year of study in order for the student to become familiar with the program, form a doctoral committee and develop a preliminary program of study.

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The qualifying/intake exam is scheduled for 2 hours that consist of a presentation (20 slides), a question/answer session, and the development of a preliminary program of study. The three to four graduate faculty member of this committee are usually selected in conjunction with the student and the advisor of record, or may be chosen at the discretion of the academic Department Head or Coordinator of the Doctoral Program.

This presentation must be on an issue of research that is concise, research based, and explores a research interest to the student in the area of Special Education only. A review of the literature that supports this interest is to be included, but is not part of the 20 slides. Following the presentation, a question and answer session will commence between the student and Special Education faculty members.

Three outcomes are possible from this qualifying/intake exam: (1) proceed to further studies within the department, (2) discontinuation of further studies within the department, and (3) re-evaluation of the intake/qualifying exam after one semester of which they outcome may or not support item 1 or 2. The advisor of record is responsible for the organization of the exam and will inform the graduate school of the outcomes as per the NMSU Graduate School Policy.

Upon passing the qualifying/intake examination, the student will be admitted to the doctoral program. The student and the advisor will work jointly with the doctoral committee to prepare the student's preliminary graduate program of study for the doctorate. This program shall be filed with the NMSU Graduate School as per the policy.

The scheduling of the qualifying/intake examination is based solely on the following criteria:

(a) for students who enter the Graduate School with little or no previous graduate experience but wish to proceed directly to the doctorate, the qualifying examination should be taken after 12 credits of graduate work; (b) for students who enter with a master's degree or equivalent from another university, or another department, the qualifying examination should be taken before the completion of one semester of graduate work.

The Department of Special Education may allow the master's final examination to serve as the doctoral qualifying /intake examination or may require a separate examination for students who earn their master's degree at New Mexico State University, and will continue in the same department. Students are encouraged to talk with Department Head or the advisor of record regarding this option.

Graduate FacultyAll courses on the program of study must be taught by members of the graduate faculty as per the NMSU graduate school policy. This includes courses taken outside of the student’s department. Membership on the University faculty does not automatically constitute membership in the NMSU graduate faculty. A faculty member’s graduate status can be ascertained by going to the NMSU graduate school for a complete listing. http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/graduate-faculty/

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Grade RequirementsIn order to receive a Doctorate degree in Special Education here at New Mexico State University, the doctorate student must earn a grade point average of 3.0 on all courses in the student's program of study.

The Comprehensive ExamThe comprehensive examination is a test that covers a broad base of material (thereby, "comprehensive"). Its purpose is to assess the student's knowledge and capacities to earn a doctorate degree. The exact content of the comprehensive exam given within the Special Education doctorate program varies as it is highly dependent on the student’s program of study and the expectations set forth by the advisor of record, the student, and the student’s doctoral committee. The comprehensive exam serves as the gateway to the dissertation. It is after passing the comprehensive exam that a student can use the title “doctoral candidate”, which is a label for students who have entered the dissertation phase of doctoral work, the final hurdle to the doctorate degree.

Special Education Doctoral Comprehensive Exam consists of two components:

Digital Portfolio review and scoring by committee members (see your advisor for additional information)

Oral comprehensive exam

Students will need to submit a digital portfolio of the selected materials listed below and save them in electronic format and submit to the advisor of record and the student’s committee members via a web page or other on-line platforms during the last semester of course work or after all courses have been completed. This digital portfolio should be an on-going process throughout the student’s program of study and as such will be reviewed annually by the advisor of record. The advisor of record or the student will notify committee members via email as to the date for the submission of the digital portfolio and the criteria for scoring the materials.

Required Materials for the digital portfolio: Students must complete each of the following at least once during their program of study:

• A professional personal statement (typically 2 to 3 pages) covering, at a minimum, the students’ research focus area(s), and the student’s reflection regarding their professional growth while in the doctoral program

Assist with teaching or teach a university course (face to face) Development of course content (syllabus for the course) Student evaluations from a course of which you are the primary instructor of record Peer review from a member of the student’s doctoral committee or the advisor of

record with regards to the teaching criteria Write and submit a publishable scholarly paper to a peer-reviewed journal (first or

second author only)

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Develop a scholarly presentation and present it at a professional conference (first or second author only)

Develop a professional curriculum vita

Additional Activities: The student must complete three of the following and include the materials in your digital portfolio:

Implement a research study before your dissertation Publish a position paper, book review, or other non-refereed writing in a professional

journal Complete an internship or externship relevant to the program of study Conduct a community or school-based project relevant to the program of study Teach and develop an On-line course in the department Examples of student’s work that reflects the learning outcomes of the course(s) that you

have taught Plan and deliver a workshop for practicing professionals Write a literature review and critique Develop and present a peer-reviewed poster at a professional conference Editorial work on journals Other service related activities that pertain to your research focus and to the field of

Special Education (to be approved by the advisor of record)

Digital Portfolio ReviewWhen all digital portfolio activities have been completed and the student is ready to submit the work for review, you must provide the link to your online portfolio to each member of the doctoral committee, including your advisor. Individual committee members will score the materials according to the rubric and will submit their completed rubrics to the advisor of record. The advisor will review the rubrics and take into consideration the comments/scores on the rubric and determine whether you have passed the portfolio review or if revisions are deemed necessary.

Oral Comprehensive ExamOnce the student has submitted the portfolio for review by committee members the student will schedule an oral comprehensive exam. The oral comprehensive exam allows the student the opportunity to provide an opportunity to clarify their doctoral program portfolio in front of the student’s doctoral committee. Other questions relevant to the student’s doctoral experience, research ideas, and course work are also a component of this examination.

Documentation notifying the NMSU Graduate School of the oral comprehensive exam must be on file at least ten working days prior to the proposed date for the examination. The advisor of record or the student will schedule the oral comprehensive exam via email with committee members. The results of the oral examination will be reported to the NMSU Graduate School by the advisor.

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The NMSU Graduate School policy proposes that any applicant for candidacy who fails the comprehensive examination may, upon recommendation of the committee and approval of the graduate dean, (1) be granted a second examination after a lapse of at least one semester or (2) be terminated from the doctoral program. The student must be duly registered for 3 credits of graduate course work in the Graduate School during the semester in which the comprehensive examination is taken.

A student taking an oral examination during the summer must enroll for at least one credit for that term Oral examination generally are not scheduled during the summer; however, in the event that approval has been granted and faculty are available for a summer exam, a student taking an oral examination during the summer must enroll for at least one credit for that term.

Time Period

All program requirements and the dissertation must be completed within the allocated time period as per the NMSU Graduate School Policy. Students are encouraged to review the policy as set forth by the graduate school as this helps the student plan accordingly.

The dissertation should be completed and defended within five years after the candidate has successfully passed the comprehensive examination as per the NMSU Graduate School policy.

Time spent on program components can vary considerably, but a general timeline is provided here to help students plan for major milestones and timely completion. While personal circumstances may alter the typical timeline, students are expected to speak with their advisor, the department head, or the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program as soon as possible if they anticipate any delays in their program.

DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS AND DEFENSE A dissertation prospectus is a written proposal consisting of research question(s), hypothesis, or a statement of a critical problem, supportive literature review, and methodology for answering the question or studying the problem. The doctoral committee must receive this proposal at least two weeks before the scheduled oral presentation and defense

The prospectus defense is an oral defense of the written document, and it is a meeting where the student and members of the committee agree to the purpose and methods of the proposed study. Feedback should be formative and forward looking, focusing on both conceptual and methodological issues. Faculty should determine whether the student is ready to proceed and what revisions are required. The approved prospectus serves as a formal agreement between the student and faculty, covering what the student is expected to do and what the faculty committee has agreed to as the plan. The student’s doctoral committee must approve the prospectus before a student can move forward in the writing of the dissertation.

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If the proposed study involves human subjects, the student must obtain the approval of NMSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) before the research can begin. Procedures for this process are available on the web at http://compliance.research.nmsu.edu/IRB. This often includes secondary data analysis. In some instances an exception is granted from the IRB but the student must fill out the correct forms requesting an exemption. It is imperative that IRB approval is obtained for ethical purposes, but it is also necessary to include this information on the dissertation defense form.

Dissertation Approval and DefenseStudents must register for a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation hours. The number of hours enrolled will depend upon the amount of work required to complete their respected research.

When the advisor of record is satisfied with the completed dissertation, s/he will certify that it has his/her approval and is ready to be read by the committee. The advisor of record will then have the student distribute copies of the dissertation to the remaining members of the advisory committee, schedule a final oral defense, and ask the Special Education Office to notify the Dean of the NMSU Graduate School. All necessary paperwork must be filed with the NMSU Graduate School prior to the defense of the dissertation.

The committee members will have two weeks to read and evaluate the completed dissertation. The defense of the dissertation will be chaired by the student’s major professor/advisor. Three of the members of the advisory committee must approve the student’s dissertation and defense and must certify their approval in writing in order to pass the defense.

The Graduate School Dissertation Guidelines are on their website at: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/mb/TDG.pdf. Students should check with the Graduate School during the semester the dissertation is written to assure that the most recent guidebook is being used. Dissertations are approved by the Graduate School on the basis of guidelines listed in this manual. The Graduate School offers a “pre-check” service in order to ensure your dissertation will be approved prior to submission.

FIRST YEAR OF STUDY

Graduate Program of Study

The student must complete a Program of Study that outlines the student’s proposed doctoral course work usually completed after 12 graduate credit hours. The program of study must be approved and signed by the student’s advisor, the student’s doctoral committee, academic department head, and the Dean of the NMSU Graduate School. Students are responsible for developing with their advisor a substantive course of study that is consistent with the requirements as set forth by the NMSU Graduate School and the designated program of study

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in the Department of Special Education. To avoid any misunderstanding students are encouraged to submit a formal Degree Plan as early in their program as possible.

Course Requirements

60 credits hours (42 credits hours in coursework and 18 hours of dissertation research hours) is the minimum credit hours required for either a Ph.D. or Ed.D. The required course work is planned with the student’s committee members who take into account the student’s research interest, research design, availability of course work and independent research study(s) which occur under the direction of the advisor of record and/or a faculty member. Additional course work is contingent and may be recommended by the student’s doctoral committee, the advisor of record and the student.

Prerequisites: An MA in Special Education, or related field in Education. A minimum of 2 years of direct and/or related teaching experience is essential or experience(s) in an educational occupational field. Good academic standing with the NMSU Graduate School. Documentation of written and oral communication skills in the English language is a necessary component.

*Prerequisites may vary according to Focus Area; Faculty Recommendation; and student need*

Doctorate of Philosophy in Special Education:

Course criteria include the following elements:

A. Research Sequence (12+ credit hours)

The student must complete a 9 credit hour (minimum) research sequence in statistics that is determined by the doctoral student in consultation with the advisor/chair of dissertation committee. Careful planning of the research sequence is critical as many of the courses are offered only at certain times of the academic year (fall & spring).

A sampling of some of the coursework offered to complete this criterion is listed below:*This sampling and is by no means exhaustive of the courses offered at NMSU*

CEP 511: Edumetrics CEP 532: Counseling research CEP 636: Advanced educational measurement & statisticsCEP 637: Multivariate research procedures & analyses EDUC 606: In-depth interviewing: A qualitative research methodEDLT 607: Current research in learning & technology RDG 630: Ethnography of reading & writing EDUC 615: Application of computer tools for researchANTH 505L: Issues in anthropological practice ANTH 520: Ethnographic field methods ENGL 601: Ethnography of communication HIST 544: Oral & community history SOC 551: Issues in advanced quantitative analysis ESTAT 503: SAS

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ESTAT 505: Inference I

Dissertation Hours (18+ credit hours)

A student may not register for dissertation credits (700) prior to successful completion of the qualifying exam. The dissertation preparation shall total at least 18 credits of courses numbered 700. The doctoral committee can impose additional requirements for courses numbered 700.

Required Coursework for All (12 credit hours)Sped 500: Intro to Special EducationSped 506 High Incidence Disabilities or Sped 507 Low Incidence DisabilitiesSped 523: Advanced Curriculum in Special EducationSped 510/610 Current Issues in Special Education

Direct Courses & Research Hours (18+ credit hours)

This sequence is based solely on the research interest of the student, the area of study, and expertise of the faculty. Students, along with the advisor of record and committee members carefully select a course of study that meets the needs of the student’s specific area of interest, which may include courses throughout the NMSU academic graduate programs.

Doctorate of Education in Special Education

The course criterion includes the following elements:

Research Sequence (9+ credit hours)

The student must complete a 9 credit hour (minimum) research sequence, which is determined by the doctoral student in consultation with the advisor/chair of dissertation committee and doctoral committee members. One course (3 credit hours) must be statistical based and as such is required. Careful planning of the research sequence is critical as many of the courses are offered only at certain times of the academic year (fall & spring).

Dissertation Hours (18+ credit hours)

A student may not register for dissertation credits (700) prior to successful completion of the qualifying exam. The dissertation preparation shall total at least 18 credits of courses numbered 700. The doctoral committee can impose additional requirements for courses numbered 700.

Required Coursework for All (12 credit hours)

Sped 500: Intro to Special EducationSped 506 High Incidence Disabilities or Sped 507 Low Incidence Disabilities

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Sped 523: Advanced Curriculum in Special EducationSped 510/610 Current Issues in Special Education

Direct Courses & Research Hours (18+ credit hours)

This sequence is based solely on the research interest of the student, the area of study, and expertise of the faculty. Students, along with the advisor of record and committee members carefully select a course of study that meets the needs of the student’s specific area of interest, which may include courses throughout the NMSU academic graduate programs.

Final ExaminationAs per the NMSU Graduate School Policy every student working toward the doctoral degree will submit a dissertation embodying the results of original research. The dissertation is expected to demonstrate the student's ability in independent investigation and to be a contribution to human knowledge. The dissertation shall display a mastery of the literature of the subject field and present an organized, coherent development of ideas with a clear exposition of results, and provide a critical discussion of the limits and validity of the student's conclusions.

When a complete draft of the dissertation has been prepared, the student's doctoral committee (appointed after the qualifying examination) will conduct the final examination. The final examination is concerned primarily with the research work of the student as embodied in the dissertation, but it may be much broader and extend over the candidate's entire field of study. The intention of the final examination is to verify that the candidate has a satisfactory grasp of the major subject as a whole and has a general acquaintance with the fields of knowledge represented by the course of study. The final examination is entirely oral and is open to the public.

The final examination must be completed in accordance with the schedule provided in the academic calendar. The form requesting this examination is to be submitted by the department to University Admissions ten working days before the examination is taken. This form may be found on the web at http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/forms-index.html and is also available from the Graduate School and departmental offices. The student must ensure that each member of the examining committee receives a copy of the dissertation no later than seven working days before the date of the final examination. Any candidate who fails the final oral examination may (a) upon recommendation of the committee and approval of the graduate dean be granted a second examination after a lapse of at least one semester; or (b) be terminated from the doctoral program. Failure in the second examination disqualifies the candidate from obtaining the degree.

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Special Education Faculty

Dr. Victoria WhiteDepartment HeadDr. White, has a Ph.D. in Special Education Administration. She also has several years of experience in special education teacher training. Her research interests focus on developing collaborative programs with the public schools, advocacy, and all aspects of administration of special education policy.

Dr. Loana MasonCollege Assistant ProfessorDr. Mason has been the Director of the Visual Impairment Program at New Mexico State University since the summer of 2012. Her research interests focus on attitudes about blindness and visual impairment, quality education for learners who also have significant disabilities, and literacy (especially braille literacy via tactile communication symbols).

Dr. Karen PotterAssistant ProfessorDr. Potter, her research interest includes classroom assessment, teacher preparation, inclusive practices, and literacy and reading for students with disabilities, best practices to increase learning for students with low incidence disabilities, and moderate to severe student support needs.

Dr. Sathiyaprakash RamdossAssistant ProfessorDr. Ramdoss, concentrations include assistive technology as a tool to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, more specifically, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); the use of technology to aid individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities; and the application of modern day technology for rehabilitation. Other interests include Autism and developmental disabilities; natural and synthetic speech perception and preference; research aimed at promoting social inclusion and self-determination through early intervention and assistive technology.

Dr. Loretta SalasAssociate ProfessorResearch interests include the study of multicultural/diversity issues in the field of special education. Research agenda includes the study of multicultural special education, teacher preparation in early childhood general/special education, qualitative research and family involvement along the U.S. Mexico Border. Other interests include, many dogs, laughter, being outside, reading, listening to music, and generally speaking having a good time.

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