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  3. Project VIDEO - Fellowships in Special Education and Speech-Language Pathology

Project VIDEO - Fellowships in Special Education and Speech-Language Pathology

Have you thought about becoming a special education teacher or speech-language pathologist? Do you have an interest in learning how to teach students to read? Project VIDEO could be for you! The School of Education and Human Development offers $12,000 fellowships to well-qualified individuals seeking to become special education teachers or speech-language pathologists who plan to work in preK-12 schools.

Like most states, Virginia has a critical shortage of certified special educators and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). This shortage contributes to students with disabilities experiencing disproportionately low academic outcomes compared to other student groups (Virginia Department of Education, 2019). The purpose of Project VIDEO (Virginia Intensification for Individuals with Dyslexia who need Explicitness and Ongoing Tiered Supports) is to prepare special education teachers alongside SLPs as they learn to support students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia. This project is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education (Grant # H325K190048). The successful completion of this project will contribute to OSEP Director Laurie VanderPloeg’s call to attract, prepare, and retain effective personnel in special education.

Program Overview

The School of Education and Human Development is excited to offer a fellowship program for candidates beginning their careers in special education and speech language pathology!

The Program

Funded scholars in project VIDEO will be enrolled in one of the following School of Education and Human development programs:

Fellows must have a bachelor's degree prior to entering one of the master's programs. The scholars selected from among the two programs will complete their respective programs but will also share coursework and aligned practice-based opportunities in shared clinical experiences. The two programs have separate application processes and requirements.

Timeline

From 2020 to 2025, we aim to use project funds to support 75 future professionals who will serve Virginia students with dyslexia and other disabilities.

  • The first VIDEO scholars from special education enrolled in June 2020 and will complete their masters/licensure program in May 2021 (11-month program).
  • The first VIDEO scholars in the SLP program enrolled in August 2020 and will graduate in December 2022 (2.5-year program).
  • Subsequent scholars will follow the same sequence for the duration of project funding. 

Each fellow will receive a $12,000 fellowship to help address financial barriers to entering the field.  The fellowship will be applied directly to the student account to defray the cost of tuition.  Other fellowships, scholarships, and awards are also available.  Scholars who accept funding from the federal government are expected to work with students with disabilities in schools for two years for every one year they accept funding.

How to Apply

Apply to the master's program of your choice.

Beginning in August 2022, the VIDEO Project will be open to SLP graduate students who are on either the Blue or Orange CSD curricular path. Applicants to the CSD program who would like to be considered for the VIDEO Project should email the degree program coordinator, contact information below, to indicate their interest.

Program applicants may be invited for a brief web-based interview to ensure a fit between career goals and program outcomes. These candidates will be selected based on the applications submitted for admission to the master's programs.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Graduate Admission

Contact Us

Questions? Email the project directors.

Funding Disclaimer

The information provided on the School of Education and Human Development's website regarding financial aid is intended for reference purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, it is important to note that this information should not be construed as a guarantee of funding.


Financial aid availability and eligibility may be subject to various factors, including but not limited to changes in federal or state regulations, institutional policies, funding availability, and individual qualifications. The information provided on these pages may change, and it is recommended that you verify the accuracy of details with the appropriate department administrator.