> Doctoral Financial Support

Project Assistantships: Half-time (20 hours per week) work experiences are available in which students assume various leadership roles (e.g., research, consultation) in one of the field-based programs or faculty grant-supported projects. Positions pay stipend plus full tuition.

Research Grants: Faculty in the special education program have direct research funding to support doctoral students. Grant funded research awards include a tuition waiver and a ten-month stipend between $1200 - $1400 per month. As part of tuition and stipend funding, students will assist faculty on research studies. Current faculty research projects include the following:

• Project REACH
  A U. S. Department of Education Center grant to evaluate and improve services for students with intensive social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
  Principal Investigator: Dr. Lee Kern.
  
  
• The Center for Promoting Research to Practice
  The mission of the Center for Promoting Research to Practice is to generate new knowledge that will truly impact the lives of individuals with disabilities. The primary objective of Center is to create a living laboratory that establishes partnerships with schools, parents and families, and community service providers to enhance the use of best practices for individuals with disabilities. The Center provides numerous opportunities for financial support through its research projects.
  Contact: Dr. Edward Shapiro, (610) 758-3258.
  

Field Based Programs:
Research Scientist and Graduate Assistantships in Community Supports Programs for People with Disabilities:   Community Choices, Lehigh Support for Community Living, and Lehigh Transition and Assessment Programs hires doctoral students in special education to assume administrative and/or research duties in the various programs.  Research scientists (full time benefited positions with tuition support) and graduate assistants (part time tuition supported positions) work closely with program faculty and program directors to develop innovative practices, train student employees, and participate in research activities.  Available positions are advertised.  See the Community Supports Program webpage for more information.

University Fellowships: Highly competitive award given to new students with outstanding credentials. Students compete for funding across the university. Positions pay stipend plus full tuition.

Tuition Scholarship: Awarded competitively to students based on recommendations of faculty.