PhD in Education with a Specialization in Special Education

The Special Education Specialization prepares leaders in research, teacher preparation, and policy related to disability and special education.

What Will You Learn?

The specialization features coursework and applied experiences that enable you to:

• Become proficient in evaluating and conducting rigorous research in the field of special education
• Learn how to effectively communicate research findings to a broad array of audiences, including translating research to practice
• Understand historical and contemporary perspectives in special education leadership, policy, and teacher preparation
• Acquire and apply specialized knowledge specific to your interests related to disability and the field of special education

Alexandra Reed, PhD 2022 

• Dissertation Title: “You Just Know When You Feel It” A Participatory Inquiry Exploring Inclusion 
• Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Grace Francis 
• Employment on Graduation: Mason Life Program Academic Coordinator, George Mason University 

Jaime Day, PhD 2022 

• Dissertation Title: Alternative Route Programs and Special Education Teacher Preparation: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Sarah Nagro 
• Awards: Gerald Wallace Doctoral Dissertation Excellence in Special Education Award 
• Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, University of Missouri 

Ashley Stride, PhD 2022 

• Dissertation Title: Examining Authority use of Power in the Education System: An Arts-Informed Narrative Inquiry Toward a Liberatory Way of Being for Marginalized Students 
• Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Grace Francis & Dr. Anya Evmenova 

Stacie Brady, PhD 2021 

• Dissertation Title: Morphological Forms in the Writing of Middle School Students with Disabilities 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Linda Mason 
• Employment on Graduation: Post-doctoral Training, George Mason University 

Rachel Hamberger, PhD 2021  

• Dissertation Title: Parent Coaching in Natural Communication Opportunities Through Bug-in-Ear Technology 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Anya Evmenova 
• Employment on Graduation: Special Education Teacher& Instructional Team Leader; Hanover Hills Elementary School 

Kelly Liu, PhD 2021 

• Dissertation Title: Vocabulary Instruction for Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities and English Learners With Learning Disabilities: An Observation Study 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Sheri Berkeley 
• Employment on Graduation: Special Education Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools; Adjunct Professor, George Mason University 

Anna Macedonia, PhD 2021 

• Dissertation Title: Education Leadership Preparation and Special Education: A Multiple Case Study of Female Beginning School Based-Administrators 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Margaret Weiss 

Carlos Lavin, PhD 2020 

• Dissertation Title: Testimonios of Undocumented Latinx Students with Disabilities: Finding a Way Forward 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Grace Francis 
• Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, College of Charleston 

Asma Alzahrani, PhD 2019 

• Dissertation Title: Preservice Special Education Teachers' Understanding of Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Nonverbal or Low Verbal Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Frederick Brigham 

Kevin Good, PhD 2019 

• Dissertation Title: The Pen or the Cursor: A Single-Subject Comparison of a Paper-Based Graphic Organizer and a Computer-Based Graphic Organizer to Support the Persuasive Writing of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders or Mild Autism 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Anya Evmenova 
• Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, University of Mary Washington 

Darren Ritson, PhD 2019  

• Dissertation Title: Game-Based Learning and Science Classrooms: How a Content-Based Video Game Can Support Students with Emotional Behavioral Disabilities in a Public Day High School Earth Science Classroom  
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Anya Evmenova  
• Employment on Graduation: Special Education Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools; Adjunct Professor, George Mason University 

Meghan Betz, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Professional Development with Optional Components for Educators of English Language Learners: A Mixed-Methods Study of Educators' Changes in Knowledge and Experiences 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Sheri Berkeley 
• Employment on Graduation: Director, Time to Talk; Adjunct Professor, George Mason University 

Kelly Brady, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Using Web-Based Graphic Organizer Instruction with Embedded Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Additional Brainstorming Supports to Improve the Planning and Persuasive Writing of Secondary Students with Complex Intellectual Profiles 
• Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Anya Evmenova & Dr. Kelley Regan 
• Employment on Graduation: Out-of-School Support Manager, Fairfax County Public Schools 

Rachel Hammer, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Virtual Manipulatives with Technology-Based Graphic Organizers (VM+TBGO): A Combined Mathematics Intervention to Support Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities to Solve Proportion Word Problems 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Kelley Regan 
• Award: Gerald Wallace Doctoral Dissertation Excellence in Special Education Award 
• Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, Towson University 

Leigh Ann Kurz, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Literacy Integrated with Kindergarten Science: An Investigation of Impacts of Kindergarten Students Including Those At-risk for Learning Disabilities 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Sheri Berkeley 
• Awards: Gerald Wallace Doctoral Dissertation Excellence in Special Education Award 
• Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, Susquehanna University of Pennsylvania 

Nichole MacVittie, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Guided Self-Reflection with Video and Changes in Teacher Instructional Behaviors 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Kelley Regan 
• Employment on Graduation: Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Denver Public Schools, Colorado 

Shalu Rana, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: The Impact of a Computer-Based Graphic Organizer with Embedded Technology Features on the Personal Narrative Writing of Upper Elementary Students with High-Incidence Disabilities  
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Anya Evmenova  
• Employment on Graduation: Assistive Technology Specialist, DC Public Schools; Adjunct Professor, George Mason University 

Donna Sacco, PhD 2018 

• Dissertation Title: Special Educators' Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Instructional Practices for Students Who are Dually Identified as English Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities 
• Dissertation Chair: Dr. Sheri Berkeley 
• Employment on Graduation: Product Development & Technical Assistance Support, National Center on Intensive Intervention and PROGRESS Center, American Institutes for Research