SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University’s council of trustees on Friday agreed to ask the State System of Higher Education’s board of governors to allow the university to begin offering a doctor of education degree in special education.

SRU, with a long history in special education for K-12 teachers and those involved in related services, has proposed a 60-credit program leading to a doctor of education degree.

If approved by the board, it would become the first such doctoral program in the system. The program could begin in the spring semester 2015.

The doctorate program is designed for those who are leaders in K-12 schools and administrative offices, leaders in accreditation agencies and government positions, personnel in nonprofit organizations geared to helping those with disabilities learn to transition to be productive citizens, and faculty at other universities involved in special education work.

Trustees were told there are 294,963 K-12 students identified with special needs in the commonwealth and that there is a “chronic shortage of special education teachers.” And, “many jobs outside higher education also require the knowledge and skills that would be developed by this degree.”

SRU’s special education master’s degree program is the largest in the state, with more than 200 students enrolled.

“Our estimates are that 65 of those students would ‘likely enroll’ in a doctoral-degree program in special education if it were offered,” said Keith Dils, dean of SRU’s College of Education.

If approved, it would be the second doctorate offered by SRU. The university also offers a doctorate in physical therapy.

In June, trustees voted to ask the board of governors for permission to start a Master of Science in nursing and a Master of Business Administration.