SKIES: Skills and Knowledge for Interdisciplinary Preparation of Special Education and Speech-Language Professionals
Project Description
Funding is available for special education and speech-language pathology students to earn a Master’s degree in Special Education with eligibility for a low-incidence teaching endorsement (Special Education) or a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with eligibility to satisfy ASHA certification standards for continuing to a clinical fellowship year.
The University of Kansas Department of Special Education and Department of Speech-Language-Hearing invites applications for a federally funded interdisciplinary personnel preparation program that provides funding towards tuition to prepare special education teachers and speech-language pathologists to:
- Support AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) users in natural settings
- Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Apply evidence-based instructional strategies in natural settings
Project Information
- Be a US citizen
- Meet KU Admissions eligibility requirements
- Special Education: Visit https://specialedu.ku.edu/academics/low-incidence-disabilities/masters/details and scroll down to "Low Incidence Disabilities Master’s Graduate Admission" for more information.
- Speech-Language-Hearing: Visit https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-health-professions/academics/departments/hearing-and-speech/academics/speech-language-pathology-degrees/master-of-arts-in-speech-language-pathology-(m.a.slp).html
- Agree to and be eligible to fulfill US Department of Education service obligations
- Visit https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/home/faq for more information.
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology OR Master’s in Special Education
- Eligibility for endorsement in Low-Incidence Special Education (SPED only)
- Eligibility for the certificate of clinical competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology, upon completion of a successful clinical fellowship experience
- A two-year program of study with intensive mentoring and fieldwork experience
- Shared coursework and projects across Special Education and Speech-Language Pathology programs
- Opportunity to attend a national professional development conference (includes out-of-state travel)
- Opportunities to work with and support families of AAC users with disabilities
- A stipend to cover costs towards tuition and fees
- Extensive mentoring from KU faculty, staff and graduate students
- Funding to attend at least one national professional development conference (out of state travel)
- Complete the program while you are teaching in your school (Special Education Scholars)
- Development of expertise in AAC
Frequently Asked Questions
Special Education Courses: The coursework will be offered in person on the Lawrence campus. All classes are synchronous, meaning we meet together in real time. Classes will be held from 5:00–7:30 p.m., typically two or three evenings per week, Monday through Thursday, to accommodate teaching schedules.
Speech-Language Pathology Courses: Coursework will be offered in person on the Lawrence and KU Medical Center (Kansas City) campuses. Classes will be held throughout the day, Monday through Friday.
A bachelor’s degree is required.
Yes, you are expected to do your fieldwork and/or practicum in your own school. This coursework and fieldwork/practicum require you to teach students with “severe” or “low-incidence” disabilities.
You will collaborate with special education scholars to support an AAC user in natural environments. Depending on our participants, you may support them at school, or their home and community settings.
You will receive a stipend each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) that can be applied towards your tuition, fees, and project-related expenses (e.g., books, materials). You will receive a flat stipend amount each semester.
Some of the topics and skills you will learn through your coursework and fieldwork experiences include:
- Understanding individual needs and setting high expectations to improve outcomes for AAC users
- How to increase and support curricular access for AAC users
- Provide evidence-based instruction and interventions, including those that support language and literacy for AAC users
- Collaborating with families and team members
- Ways to serve as a leader in your school, district, and community and leverage your AAC expertise
