博士 特殊教育和多元能力系（SPEMA）的课程是非分类课程，适合学生的兴趣和教师的专业知识。学生的学习计划（POS）委员会，包括委员会主席（通常是学生的顾问），将与学生一起确定一系列学习经历，使兴趣与专业相匹配。在接受该计划之前，该系将查看学生的兴趣是否与该特定领域的教职员工相匹配。一旦被接受，如果兴趣发生变化，学生将与POS委员会合作。我们的目的是培养顶尖的学者，最好的方法是培养学生的兴趣。此外，我们的理念是博士生和教职员工经常一起学习，因此SPEMA可以满足特殊教育领域的许多兴趣。
The Ph.D. program in the Department of Special Education and Multiple Abilities (SPEMA) is non-categorical, suiting the interests of the student and the expertise of the faculty. The student's plan of studies (POS) committee, including the committee chair (usually the student's advisor), will determine, with the student, a sequence of learning experiences that fit the match of interests with expertise. Before acceptance to the program, the department sees if a student's interest matches faculty expertise in that particular area. Once accepted, the student works with the POS committee if interests change. Our intent is to produce top scholars, which is best achieved by fostering the student's interests. Furthermore, our philosophy is that doctoral students and faculty often learn together, therefore, many interests in the special-education field can be accommodated in SPEMA. The doctoral program prepares researchers and future university faculty in the following subfields of exceptionalities:<br><br>Autism spectrum disorders<br>Behavior disorders and prevention<br>Early childhood special education/early intervention<br>Gifted and talented<br>Non-categorical special education<br>Severe disabilities<br>Transitions