Exceptional Learning, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in the College of Education at Tennessee Technological University has been in existence since 2000. The degree takes approximately three years of full-time study beyond the Master's degree to complete.* For the Ph.D. dissertation, a clear, well-defined research design and methodology are required.

The Ph.D. degree program is coordinated as a college wide degree and requires three consecutive semesters of residency. Most often, but not exclusively, in selecting the Ph.D. program, a student projects a career focused on being engaged in research . Ph.D. students are expected to do original research for the dissertation which is based on theories of human development, learning, and behavior.   

The Ph.D. at TTU focuses on the characteristics, strengths, and educational needs of individuals and groups whose learning potential and opportunities for success are frequently unrealized. Exceptional and at-risk populations include people for whom social, economic, and physical characteristics may serve as a barrier to development and learning. The Ph.D. will prepare leaders to work in schools, agencies, and universities to effect positive change in populations of diverse and at-risk learners, addressing social, economic, and physical characteristics that may serve as barriers to learning, primarily through research and service activities. The program core develops an understanding of the characteristics of these populations. The research core provides a strong emphasis on research techniques and applications. Three concentrations allow you to focus on specific interests:

• Applied Behavior Analysis prepares professionals who can develop and deliver behavioral interventions and supports for individuals within educational and habilitative settings. There are two strands with ABA: one focused on pre-school aged children and their families (ABAP) and one focused on school-aged children and adult populations (ABAS). (Concentration leaders – Dr. John Wheeler & Dr. Dean Richey)

• Literacy prepares professionals to deal with literacy issues related to diverse and at-risk populations of all ages. (Concentration leader – Dr. Deborah Setliff)

• Program Planning and Evaluation prepares professionals for leadership roles in program assessment and quality enhancement. (Concentration leader – Dr. Barry Stein)

*With the exception of the residency, students may be enrolled part time (defined as less than nine credit hours in the academic year and six hours in the summer).  Students have eight years from the point of enrollment to complete the doctoral degree.

Admission Requirements:

• GPA--Consideration for admission to the program is based on the applicant's grade point average (GPA) in the last graduate degree or the last sixty hours of undergraduate work if no graduate degree has been completed.  An average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or above from a recognized baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree from a regionally accredited (e.g. SACS) college or university, or an international equivalent based on a four-year curriculum is required for admission.
• GRE--A combined score of 1,000 or above on the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.0 on the writing component of the GRE is required for admission.  In some rare instances, a prospective student with a score slightly lower than 1,000 may petition the Ph.D. Coordinating Committee for admission, but tangible evidence of the student's academic achievement or aptitude (other than a high GPA) must be presented.  International students are required to submit TOEFL scores. A minimum of 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer version is required.  Applicants who have been awarded a degree from a university in one of the following countries are exempt from the TOEFL requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.
• Scholarly writing--Students must demonstrate the ability to do scholarly writing by submitting a reference-based paper, thesis, or other written document in which information from various sources has been synthesized.  The applicant must be the sole author. 
• Statement of intent--One to two pages should be sufficient to include intended enrollment (fall admission only), intended concentration, autobiographical statement, education and professional goals, area of interest for future research, and how your interest fits with faculty in your chosen area of study.
• Three letters of recommendation--At least one letter should be from a professor who is able to comment on your qualifications for graduate study.  Consideration will be made based upon the content of the letters.
• A professional vitae.
• Interviews with Ph.D. doctoral program faculty.

Prospective students are encouraged to make application to the Graduate School in time for admission to be completed at least one full semester before expected entrance to the Ph.D. program. Admission is open for Fall semester only. The deadline for application is MARCH 1 for admission the following Fall semester.

For more information, please visit the Ph.D. program website at: http://www.tntech.edu/education/phd/

College of Education
Exceptional Learning Program
P.O Box 5116 Cookeville, TN 38505
Phone: (931) 372-3177
Questions, please e-mail education@tntech.edu

Page last updated: 9/6/06