The University of Kentucky College of Education has funding available for individuals interested in earning a?Master of Science (M.S.) in special education (moderate and severe disabilities), according to a news release from UK.?

Funds for the program are from the Training InterdisciPLinary Educators to Support High-Needs Populations (TRIPLETS) grant, awarded to UK by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.?It provides a stipend that will cover full in-state tuition, fees and a small living stipend. ?

A teaching certification or bachelor’s degree in special education, or related field (e.g., psychology),?is required to apply to the program. Special education master’s scholars enrolled in this program will be paired with a student studying for a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. Together, they will become advocates for working together in schools and agents for change through interdisciplinary collaboration.?

During the program, the special education and applied behavior analysis partners will be matched with a special education teacher in a geographically isolated part of Kentucky,?orwill work together in the special education master’s degree scholar’s classroom if they are teaching.?Together, they will form a professional group to share information, mentor one another?and work collaboratively in the school setting, both in-person and using distance education technology.?

“We have a synergy between the College of Education’s degrees in applied behavior analysis and special education (moderate and severe disabilities),” said Amy Spriggs, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education?and Counselor Education. “By partnering scholars in these interdisciplinary fields during their training, they are learning to become advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration in schools and become active agents for change through working together. Being able to reach out to geographically isolated special education teachers is an especially important part of this program.”?

Students must be seeking a master’s in special education.?The?application?deadline?is June 15, 2023.?For more information, contact Spriggs at?[email protected].?

This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education as part of an award H325K170032 totaling $1,250,000 with 100%?funded by the Department of Education.