Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders

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Doctoral Program Handbook

‐ Adapted Spring 2017 ‐

Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders

New Mexico State University

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the doctoral program in the Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The intention of this handbook is to provide students and their faculty advisors with guidelines and Departmental 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 (2016-2017), 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 trained to conduct independent research, become critical/independent thinkers, and embrace the notion of diversity. Upon completion of the doctorate the student will be able to inform policies that promote the well-being of all individuals with exceptionalities 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 position to advocate for youth and children with exceptionalities and to support educators and administrators in your area.

We look forward to working with you and your continued success.

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 theNMSU Policy Manualand/orNMSU Student Code of Conduct.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Our mission is to serve the people of New Mexico 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.

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 and Communication Disorders is to prepare professionals to positively impact the lives of individuals with exceptionalities 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 and Communication Disorders will:

A.  Have a comprehensive understanding and interest in the distinct characteristics needs of the diverse populations of youth and children with exceptionalities in New Mexico and surrounding states/border communities.

B.  Have an inherent interest in researching, disseminating, educating, and providing outreach efforts to a diverse population of students in higher education that positively impacts the lives of individuals with exceptionalities.

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 regarding exceptionalities as it relates to the student’s research, teaching, and service.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders 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 teaching, research, and administrative positions in colleges and universities, as well as leadership positions in educational agencies.

DEGREE OPTIONS: The Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders is pleased to offer two different, but equally rigorous, pathways (a Ph.D. or an Ed.D.) to achieve the aforementioned outcomes. The two degrees can be differentiated in this way: a potential candidate seeks to drive educational changethrough either the use of existing research (Ed.D.) or the creation of new research (Ph.D.).

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.)

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.

Areas of Specialization

There are two areas of specialization recognized by the NMSU Graduate School. These are Bilingual/Multicultural Special Education and Autism Spectrum Disorders. However, the student can also choose to minor, including related areas such as Communication Disorders or Deaf Education. Students work closely with their advisor to plan a minor program of study if they choose.

Admission Deadline for both Ph.D. and Ed.D. - February 10

Prior to admission to the doctorate program in the Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders, students must complete the necessary documents 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 a 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 by the department or the Graduate School. For detailed information, application process and deadlines please consult http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/gradschool/announcements.html.

A student should check Graduate Assistant Employment Guidelines of the 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 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 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:

Full Admission Requirements:

·  TOEFL 79 IBT; 550 PBT

·  6.5 IELTS

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 takeCOMM 485International Teaching Assistant Development before being allowed to be assigned 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. The demonstration is observed by CELP faculty and an actual undergraduate student.

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.

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

*Ultimate authority to enforce the recommendation lies with the Department Head to ensure that all classes and tests have been successfully completed*

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. Of the 9 or more credits per semester at least 6 credits per semester must be in a traditional face-to-face format.

Application Process (Incomplete admission materials or materials received after the deadline will not be considered)

The Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders program is committed to fostering a graduate student body that reflects the diversity within special education as is 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 exceptionalities along with their parents and teachers. To identify such 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/Communication Disorders:

·  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. The Special Education faculty will then make a decision regarding the student‘s potential for doctoral studies (e.g., his/her research interest and ability to write and convey pedagogical knowledge in the field of Special Education).

Students will be notified of acceptance or rejection in writing regarding the decision made by the Special Education Faculty by March 1.

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.

Advisor

In 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 advisors is rare and will only be granted under extreme circumstances. The process for change of advisor requires that students establish agreement with the new potential advisor, complete the appropriate Graduate School forms, and obtain all appropriate signatures prior to submitting the forms to the Graduate School. 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.