Available Grants - Disability Disciplines

Multidisciplinary Doctoral Program in Evidence-based Practice and Implementation Science

Interested in working to close the research to practice gap in special education?

Apply to our fully funded multidisciplinary and systematic doctoral program designed to produce highly effective higher-education faculty members in fields related to serving people with disabilities.

Program Details

Scholars in this program will complete the requirements of either the Special Education or Applied Behavior Analysis specializations within the Disability Disciplines Doctoral Programs, in addition to two implementation science courses. Learn more about the Disability Disciplines Doctoral Program requirements.

Contact Information

Kaitlin Bundock

Kaitlin Bundock

Associate Professor

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling

Phone: 435-797-3911
Office Location: EDUC 327

Grant Funding Details



Program starts August 2023



$20,000/year stipend



All tuition costs are covered



Conference travel funds



Eligible for university health benefits

Program Admission Requirements

  • Application deadline is January 15, 2023
  • GRE
  • Master's Degree or equivalent
  • Demonstrated academic ability
  • Documented research experience or potential
  • Direct service school or clinical experience
  • Clear and explicit commitment to use evidence-based practice to promote student outcomes
  • Career goal to become faculty in Institute of Higher Education

Why apply to the USU Disability Disciplines PhD Program?

As part of the training program, you will acquire expertise in:

  • evidence-based practice as it relates to your particular content area (e.g., applied behavior analysis, mathematics, literacy, transition)
  • implementation science, an emerging innovative area of focus that merges research and practice
  • transparent research methods (i.e., open science)

In addition to these specialized areas of training, you will also benefit from:

  • A multidisciplinary doctoral training program with a strong record of graduates obtaining faculty positions
  • Doctoral program faculty members with expertise in evidence-based practice, implementation science, research methods, and focused content areas
  • Established relationship with local schools and clinics
  • Collaborative doctoral coursework focused on evidence-based practice, implementation science, transparent and robust research methods, and areas related to your content specialization
  • Close mentorship and advising by doctoral faculty members to guide you in completing program products that relate to research, university teaching, supervision, and implementation internships

Applied Behavior Analysis Faculty

SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
ABA-Grant Faculty
SPED-Grant Faculty
DD-aba
Directory
SPERC
SPED Faculty
SPERC Faculty
DD-aba
ABA-Grant Faculty
DD-sped
Directory
SPERC
Thomas S. Higbee

Thomas S. Higbee

Professor and Department Head

435-797-1933

tom.higbee@usu.edu

SPERC
DD-aba
SPERC Faculty
ABA-Grant Faculty
Directory
SPERC
SPED-Grant Faculty
SPED Faculty
Directory
ABA-Grant Faculty
Disability Disciplines Program Director
DD-aba
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped

Special Education Faculty

Kaitlin Bundock
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
SPED-Grant Faculty
SPERC
Directory
SPED Faculty
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
ABA-Grant Faculty
SPED-Grant Faculty
DD-aba
Directory
SPERC
Directory
SPERC
SPED-Grant Faculty
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
Directory
SPERC
DD-sped
SPED-Grant Faculty
SPERC Faculty
SPERC
SPED-Grant Faculty
SPED Faculty
Directory
ABA-Grant Faculty
Disability Disciplines Program Director
DD-aba
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
SPERC Faculty
DD-sped
SPERC
Research Methods
Directory
SPED-Grant Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

What emphasis areas under the Disability Disciplines Doctoral Program are eligible for funding under this grant?

Two emphasis areas are eligible for funding under this grant: Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education

How do I apply?

Apply online through the School of Graduate Studies.

Application fee waivers are available to students who demonstrate financial need, are first-generation students, identify as a member of a racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+, or other community or group historically underrepresented in our field, or have served or are serving as members of the U.S. military. Our overall goal as a department is to ensure the application fee is not a barrier of entry to our programs, so please reach out if it is. Fee waivers are confidential and are not disclosed to admissions committees.

Please contact our graduate coordinator, Megan Murdock, 435-797-3245, if you would like to be considered for an application fee waiver or if you have any further questions.

What are the admission deadlines

The application deadline is January 15, 2023.

Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required?

Yes.

Is the program an on-campus or a distance program?

The program is on campus.

What does the grant cover, in regards to tuition and fees?

The grant covers the full cost of tuition, and also includes additional funds that can be used to cover the cost of required course books and supplies. Additional funding may be available to cover the cost of some student fees.

Is there funding available to support student research?

The grant includes funding for student research supplies (e.g., participant incentives, software, etc.).

Is there funding available to support student travel to conferences?

The grant includes funding to cover attendance and travel to approximately one academic conference per year per student.

What is the service obligation associated with receiving OSEP grant funding?

A condition of receiving the OSEP grant funding (as a scholarship) is that you must complete a service obligation to repay all or part of the costs. For each academic year scholars receive assistance, they must maintain full-time employment for the equivalent of two years, or repay the Federal government for the portion of assistance they received that has not been repaid through service.

How do scholars fulfill their service obligation?

Through eligible employment by providing indirect or direct service to students with disabilities. Scholars’ employers validate employment eligibility. Employment positions must meet the following criteria:
Be a paid position that is not funded by any OSEP grant Must be direct or indirect service:

  • Direct : at least 51% of the infants, toddlers, and children with whom the individual provides services are receiving special education, related services, or early intervention services from the individual, or the individual spends at least 51% of their time providing such services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and the children must be eligible to receive services under IDEA
  • Indirect: position involves supervision (e.g., principal, teaching at postsecondary level, research, policy, technical assistance, program development, admin) and the individual spends at least 51% of their time performing work related to the training for which a scholarship was received
See complete service obligation requirements and FAQs at: OSEP PDP DCS page.