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. Students must be full-time students.

• Financial support: Support is valued up to approximately $175,000 over a five year period! Annual support is up to $30,000. Financial support enables students to dedicate themselves to the doctoral program with the goal of gaining an in-depth understanding of special education research, teaching, and service.
• Paid doctoral coursework: All coursework essential to obtaining a doctorate in Special Education is paid for by having access to an optional assistantship (e.g., a tuition waiver).
• Monies for textbooks and supplies: Each semester students will receive monies for course materials. Monies should cover the majority of the student’s supply needs (e.g., up to $1000 annually for books and other materials).
• Opportunities to present/attend national and state conferences: An important part of being a higher education 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 education journals.
• Access to cutting edge work in evidence-based research in alternative urban special education: Students will learn about and be involved with cutting edge research in special education in alternative schools with an emphasis on academics and mental health issues.
• 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. National leaders include (1) Stephen Elliott, (2) Dorothy Espelage, (3) Joe Gagnon, and (4) Bonnie Nastasi. Other national and international leaders may be included.
• 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. You will work closely with schools that have partnered with Georgia State University. This will serve as a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the research-to-practice process.
• National internships: Monies are available for students to conduct 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. Monies up to $2650 will be available to conduct a national internship.
• Professional development: Students will have the opportunity to develop professionally in a supportive and scholarly environment. The GSU Special Education and the Counseling and Psychological services faculty are nationally recognized as producing superior Ph.D. level professionals.
• 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 Special Education and Alternative Schools: Students will take specialized course work related to student mental health. These courses will be tailored to student needs.
• Dissertation Monies: Up to $2350 will be available for dissertation research. These monies will allow students to conduct high quality dissertation research.
• Collaborative partnerships: Students will gain valuable practical knowledge by working directly with mental health and special education professionals in the field.  
• Individualized and group attention: Georgia State University professors will provide students with individualized mentoring necessary to develop and achieve career goals. Additionally, students will meet as a group to learn from each other in a collegial manner.
• Job opportunities: Students will be provided with job location assistance upon graduation. Currently, there is a national need for highly qualified special education professors. Previous students have gained positions at major research institutions across the country.