University of Arkansas
Special Education at the University of Arkansas
The Special Education Program prepares teachers for teaching students in grades K-12 with a wide variety of disabilities. It also prepares for teaching gifted and talented students. Also available is coursework for the Graduate Certificates in Transition, Research Methods, and Applied Behavior Analysis. Students in the Graduate Certificate programs have supervised clinic opportunities available.
The Special Education Program, part of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, prepares teachers to teach in resource rooms, special education classrooms and inclusive class settings.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction is a scholarly terminal degree designed to cultivate the highest level of expertise in the teaching and learning process. Students are mentored by a graduate faculty advisor to complete coursework, develop skills in educational research, and acquire depth of knowledge in a specific subfield within curriculum and instruction.
Students completing this Ph.D. are prepared to be faculty members in higher education, leaders in the field of curriculum and instruction, or scholars devoted to educational research.
The goals of the doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction are to help candidates develop abilities for research and exemplary leadership in the field of curriculum and instruction. Through the Doctor of Philosophy program, faculty guide candidates to develop expertise in one of the department's many areas of study, acquire greater competence in curriculum evaluation and development, improve understanding of the teaching-learning process, as well build a broadened professional background in disciplines related to curriculum and instruction.
University of Arkansas Faculty
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Dr. Suzanne Kucharczyk is an Associate Professor of Special Education, College of
Education and Health Professions at UA and Interim Department Head of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Kucharczyk’s research focuses on professional development resulting in effective implementation of evidence-based practices by teachers and parents of childr
Dr. Suzanne Kucharczyk is an Associate Professor of Special Education, College of
Education and Health Professions at UA and Interim Department Head of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Kucharczyk’s research focuses on professional development resulting in effective implementation of evidence-based practices by teachers and parents of children with extensive support needs, and she weaves culturally responsive pedagogy and practice into her leadership and research lines. Dr. Kucharczyk was awarded as PI funding from OSEP for the Teaming for Transition project in 2017 and 2021 and Leaders for Transition project in 2019 and 2023. Dr. Kucharczyk will collaboratively develop and deliver coursework related to research design and transition competencies for ELEVATE Transition.
Sheida Raley, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Dr. Sheida Raley is Assistant Professor of Special Education
in the College of Education and Health Professions at UA and will serve as the UA site lead. Dr. Raley’s research focuses on assessment and intervention related to self-determination for all students, including transition-age youth learning in inclusive contexts. She has served
Dr. Sheida Raley is Assistant Professor of Special Education
in the College of Education and Health Professions at UA and will serve as the UA site lead. Dr. Raley’s research focuses on assessment and intervention related to self-determination for all students, including transition-age youth learning in inclusive contexts. She has served as Co-PI or co-investigator on multiple projects funded by IES related to understanding, assessing, and
evaluating evidence-based practices. She will support ELEVATE Transition activities, ensuring quality and timely completion of project tasks as planned, including scholar collaborative opportunities, and preparing written reports.
Melissa Savage, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Melissa Savage, PhD
Dr. Melissa Savage will be Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of
Education and Health Professions at UA beginning in Fall 2024. Prior to assuming her role at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Savage was Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational
Psychology at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses
Dr. Melissa Savage will be Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of
Education and Health Professions at UA beginning in Fall 2024. Prior to assuming her role at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Savage was Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational
Psychology at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses on the use of technology to increase engagement and independence in healthy behaviors and community participation for adults and transition-age youth with developmental disabilities. Dr. Savage’s expertise related to
promoting physical health for youth preparing for the transition-to-adulthood and engagement in postsecondary education settings will be leveraged in the development of ELEVATE Transition coursework and scholar experiences.
James Sinclair, PhD
Suzanne Kucharczyk, PhD
Melissa Savage, PhD
Dr. James Sinclair will also be Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College
of Education and Health Professionals at UA beginning in Fall 2024. Prior to assuming his role at UA, Dr. Sinclair was Research Associate in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. His research broadly focuses on the promotion of positive
Dr. James Sinclair will also be Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College
of Education and Health Professionals at UA beginning in Fall 2024. Prior to assuming his role at UA, Dr. Sinclair was Research Associate in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. His research broadly focuses on the promotion of positive post-school outcomes for individuals who have been traditionally minoritized, stigmatized, and excluded in accessing
education, including the intersection of adolescent mental health within a broader school-based mental health framework. Dr. Sinclair will support ELEVATE Transition by collaboratively developing and delivering coursework related to transition competencies with a particular focus on mental health for youth preparing for the transition-to-adulthood.