Good Student CEC Chapter Leaders and Faculty Advisors,

I am writing in hopes that you might share our information about our five
new graduate training grants for students in your chapter interesting in
pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in the areas of severe disabilities,
high-incidence disabilities, early childhood, visual impairments, and
behavior analysis. We have deep shortages nationally in the number of
special education teachers and special education faculty focused on the
needs of children and youth with disabilities. All of these OSEP-funded
grants provide *excellent training*, *full funding*, and *strong mentorship*
at the #1 ranked special education program in the nation. Our application
deadline is coming up soon (December 31).

Regards,

Erik Carter, Ph.D.
Professor of Special Education
Vanderbilt University


*Master’s Degree Funding: Delivering Evidence-Based Inclusive Education for
Students with Severe Disabilities in High-Need Schools*

The Severe Disabilities Program at Vanderbilt University received a
five-year grant to train master’s degree-level professionals to teach
children and young adults with autism, intellectual disability, multiple
disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. Our goal is to prepare
future special education teachers with evidence-based strategies to enhance
the learning and outcomes of students with severe disabilities. We
integrate evidence-based practices throughout our program, involve students
in unique research-to-practice projects in high-need schools, and focus on
research-based practices and policies that increase access to the general
curriculum. We offer generous tuition funding for students seeking initial
licensure or an additional endorsement. Learn more about this grant and the
application process at:

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/sped_student_funding_opportunities/masters_training.php


*New Funding for Doctoral Studies in Autism and Severe Intellectual
Disabilities *

The Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University announces new
funding to equip future faculty to conduct rigorous research, deliver
effective training, and provide service that improves educational outcomes
for students with severe intellectual disability, autism, and multiple
disabilities. This unique doctoral leadership training grant provides full
tuition, generous stipends, health insurance, professional travel, research
monies, and much more. In partnership with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center,
numerous disability organizations, and both urban and rural schools, we
provide hands-on internships, cutting-edge research opportunities,
exceptional coursework, and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Graduates of the program have obtained faculty positions at leading
universities and colleges across the country and are making a sustained
impact in the field. Learn more about this grant and the application
process at:

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/sped_student_funding_opportunities/doctoral_training.php


*New Funding for **Preparation of Teachers of Students with Visual
Impairments*
The Program in Visual Disabilities in the Department of Special Education
at Vanderbilt University is pleased to announce receipt of a federal grant
to prepare teachers of students with visual impairments (children with low
vision and blindness). The program seeks general education and special
education teachers interested in opportunities to: (a) learn to read and
write with Braille, (b) learn about eye conditions and their implications
for education, (c) learn to perform functional vision assessments, (d)
learn about orientation and mobility, (e) learn about access technology,
(f) learn about methods of teaching children who are blind, and (g) learn
to teach the use of optical devices to children with low vision. We offer
generous tuition funding for students seeking initial licensure or an
additional endorsement.

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/sped_student_funding_opportunities/preparation_of_teachers_of_students_with_visual_impairments.php


*Funding to **Prepare Special Educators to Provide Intensive Intervention
to Students with Persistent and Severe Learning and Behavior Problems*
The Intensive Interventionist Program prepares master’s level professionals
to teach students who have persistent and severe learning and behavior
problems in grades K-12. Our goal is to prepare intervention specialist to
identify and implement validated intervention programs and to then use
progress monitoring to modify components of the programs for individual
students. We refer to this process for intensifying intervention via
individualized supports as data-based individualization (DBI). Master’s
students enrolled in this program will have ample opportunities to
implement these programs with students who have persistent and severe
learning and behavior problems in high-poverty and low-performing schools.
Applicants for this program must have teacher licensure in either special
education or general education (e.g., EC, Elementary, Secondary, ELL). This
30-credit programs allows students to begin in June and graduate the
following May or begin in September and graduate the following August.

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/sped_student_funding_opportunities/intensive_interventionist_program.php


*Funding to Prepare Early Childhood Special Educators with an Autism
Specialization*
Our Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program prepares master’s
level professionals to teach young children with autism and other
developmental disabilities and to work collaboratively with their families.
Our goal is to prepare ECSE teachers to use evidence-based strategies that
enhance the learning outcomes of young children with autism and other
developmental disabilities across settings throughout the toddler and
preschool years. We integrate evidence-based practices throughout our
program, involve trainees in direct services and research with young
children with autism, and focus on preparing trainees to work effectively
across early intervention and preschool settings. Our ECSE Autism training
program is a 2-year (4 semesters and one summer) program including an
experimental thesis and leading to teacher certification. Students receive
training in instruction, assessment, positive behavior support,
communication intervention, family involvement, and single case research
with an emphasis on young children with Autism. We offer funding for
students seeking initial licensure or an additional endorsement in ECSE.

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/sped_student_funding_opportunities/autism_funding.php


*Funding to **Prepare Training Certified Behavior Analysts with Advanced
Knowledge in Special Education*
Designed to address national, state, and regional shortages of personnel
who are fully credentialed to serve individuals with disabilities at risk
for poor outcomes, including school failure. Training includes coursework
toward certification as Behavior Analysts (BACB 4th edition) within
multi-tiered systems and interdisciplinary teams within the context of
special education. Students will receive tuition for full-time study.