Ph.D. Support Available in Special Education

Grant monies are available to support doctoral students who want to get their Ph.D. in Special Education. The name of the grant project is the PULSE Project (Preparing Urban Leaders in Special Education). The PULSE Project is a federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation grant award (Project Number: H325E030062). The grant is housed at Georgia State University in the College of Education and within the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education. Financial support up to $120,000 over a four year period is available to each student. The purpose of the PULSE Project is to prepare a cadre of 7 diverse, highly qualified doctoral-level professionals who will provide effective urban special education leadership through research, service, and teaching. The ultimate goal of the project is prepare special education leaders who will pursue careers in higher education as professors and researchers. Our particular emphasis is on preparing leaders who will use, develop and implement scientifically-based research in urban special education. Research and service opportunities will focus on special education teacher attrition and retention issues. Students will start in the Fall of 2004. Some specifics about the project are described below. This information is also available in a downloadable long flyer or short flyer.

An Overview of Benefits available to Students Selected to Participate in the Project

The following information is an overview of some of the benefit highlights students may receive. These benefits will be based on whether students are full-time or part-time students. Students are encouraged to be full-time students.

• Financial support: Support is valued up to approximately $120,000 over a four year period! Financial support enables students to dedicate themselves to the doctoral program with the goal of gaining an indepth understanding of special education research, teaching, and service.
  
• Health insurance: The project pays for GSU health insurance.
  
• Paid doctoral coursework: All coursework essential to obtaining a Doctorate in Special Education is paid for by the grant.
  
• Monies for textbooks and supplies: Each semester students will receive a stipend for course materials. Monies should cover the majority of the student’s supply needs.
  
• Opportunities to present/attend national and state conferences: An important part of being a professional is learning how to present at conferences. Monies will be available for students to travel across the country to present at conferences. Students will present with their professors on research projects conducted through the project.
  
• Numerous opportunities for research, service, and publication: Annually, students will work on research and service projects. These projects will provide students with opportunities to be published in nationally known special education journals.
  
• Access to cutting edge work in evidence-based research in urban special education: Students will learn about and be involved with cutting edge research in special education. The grant will focus on how to keep good special education teachers in the classroom.
  
• High visibility through state and national conference involvement: Students who attend conferences will interact with leaders in the field of special education. This has the potential to increase their knowledge and improve their chances of obtaining a job after graduation.
  
• Access to national leaders in the field of special education: Annually, a nationally known leader in special education will visit GSU. Students will have an opportunity to speak with the national leader on an individual basis.
  
• Opportunities to work with local schools: Numerous opportunities will be available for students to work closely with local schools to make the “research-to-practice” connection.
  
• National internships: Monies are available for students to conduct a high quality national internships with experts in the field of special education. Students may travel to a location where they will learn from leaders in special education.
  
• Professional development: Students will have the opportunity to develop professionally in a supportive and scholarly environment. The GSU Special Education faculty are nationally recognized as producing superior Ph.D. level professionals.

Some Additional Specifics about the Components of the Project

• Special Education Coursework: Students will be provided with coursework from GSU’s nationally recognized special education program. Students will be prepared to be university faculty members.
  
• Coursework in Urban Education: Three courses specifically designed for future leaders in urban special education issues will be taken by students. Courses include: (a) Leadership in Urban Special Education, (b) Research in Urban Special Education, & (c) Trends and Issues in Urban Special Education.
  
• Paid Fellowship & Assistantship: Students may receive an annual salary of up to $27,000 for being a PULSE Project student and working as a graduate assistant.
  
• Paid course work: All course work relevant to earning a doctorate degree may be paid for by the PULSE Project. For most, a doctoral degree can be earned within 4 years.
  
• National internships: Students will expand their knowledge by participating in a national internship at recognized organizations. Monies may be provided to assist with the internships.
  
• Research opportunities: Students will work on individual and group research projects. Additionally, students may apply for doctoral research grants funds. These funds may be used to pay for their dissertation research.
  
• Travel opportunities: Students may travel locally, statewide, and nationally.
  Students may attend conferences to present and learn valuable information. Also,
  students may travel to share project accomplishments.
  
• Collaborative partnerships: Students may gain valuable practical knowledge by working directly with urban school leaders and professors on school improvement projects.
  
• Individualized attention: GSU professors will provide students with individualized mentoring necessary to develop and achieve career goals.
  
• Job opportunities: Students will be provided with job location assistance upon graduation. Currently, there is a national need for highly qualified special education professors.

Project Admission Requirements*

• Have a Master’s degree and certification in Special Education or a related field from an accrediated university.
  
• Meet Graduate School and Departmental requirements and be admitted to the university and program. For more information about how to apply to the project follow this link provided by Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education.
  
• Complete the PULSE Project application. Click here to download the PULSE Project application. Once you have completed the PULSE Project application, please send it to Dr. Houchins or Dr. Shippen using the contact information below.
  
• Complete a writing sample.
  
• Be interviewed by department and project professors.
  
• Complete the student service agreement. Students must commit to work in the field of special education after graduation. The details of this agreement will be made available during the student interview.

*Additional requirements may be necessary. Funding is contingent upon students meeting requirements and availability. Those from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Contact Information

To apply or for additional information please contact:

Dr. David E. Houchins

Georgia State University

Educational Psychology and Special Education

30 Pryor Street

Suite 850

Atlanta, GA 30302

E-mail: dhouchins@gsu.edu

Phone: (404)413-8040

Fax: (404) 413-8040