Grant Funded Program Opportunities for Graduate Students
At the School of Education, we have various funding and innovative program opportunities for graduate students. This page provides an overview of the programs we offer and links so you can look into applying for these great opportunities to provide funding for your career aspirations.
Master’s Funding and Program Opportunities
RTR is an innovative graduate teacher residency that pairs residents with an experienced mentor for our most challenged schools.
Starting in 2019, RTR has expanded and now includes the high-needs and hard-to-staff schools in the metro-Richmond school districts of Richmond, Petersburg, Chesterfield and Henrico. If this interests you, please send your unofficial transcripts directly to the program at teachRTR@vcu.edu.
The Noyce Scholarship is a collaborative effort between The School of Education, School of Engineering, The College of Humanities and Sciences, John Tyler Community College and J. S. Reynolds Community College in partnership with area school districts including the City of Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County. It provides scholarships to STEM majors interested in teaching in high-needs districts.
- Are you interested in a meaningful STEM career?
- Could you use $24,000 in scholarship money?
- Have you considered changing lives through teaching?
Project 3IP sponsors selected M.Ed. in Special Education, concentration in early childhood accepted students to engage in an intensive interdisciplinary training program across three disciplines: education, physical therapy and pediatrics. This project is possible with grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education and is a partnership between the School of Education and the School of Allied Health Professions. The steps to apply for this project and grant funding opportunity:
- Complete Online Graduate Application
- Submit all required additional documentation (three references, academic transcript(s), personal statement, GRE or MAT scores) directly to your Graduate Application
- Request and submit the Project 3IP Application to SOEinfo@vcu.edu
Once you submit all of your materials and 3IP application, you will be reviewed for acceptance into the Master's program and then if accepted, considered for the 3IP program. Students who are considered for admission will be asked to complete a personal interview for final consideration for the program and project.
Doctoral Funding and Program Opportunities
The School of Education will be recruiting highly qualified and motivated students for multiple full-time, multi-year Ph.D. candidates for grant-funded Graduate Research Assistant positions to begin in August 2020, as they become available. Please follow us on social media for more details on positions as they become available.
Purpose of the grant
Preparing Research Intensive Special Educators (PRISE) is a collaborative grant project with George Mason University, through the Office of Special Education Programs (U.S. Department of Education) to prepare future faculty with expertise in research, teacher education certification and accreditation, teacher education preparation and policy. A key outcome is to support future faculty members who can translate policy and research to make a positive contribution to the teacher preparation environment.
Our PRISE Scholars will be the first responders to translate and effectively teach, conduct new research, and learn from experts in the field new knowledge to answer questions relating to the teacher shortage. PRISE scholars will learn the skills to translate that research to the state and national level and create sustainable and meaningful impact for future generations.
Funding information
This grant funds seven (7) VCU School of Education scholars for a four-year program that includes a generous annual $28,000 annual stipend for the 20 hrs./week GA position, in addition to the cost of tuition and fees for full-time enrollment. Technology and professional development travel included for all PRISE scholars. Support for relocation available upon request and approval.
Eligibility
- Interest in completing the program full-time in-residency cohort program in Richmond, Virginia starting summer 2020
- Completed application of the VCU School of Education or the Ph.D. Specialization in Special Education
- Recommend 3 or more years of teaching experience
- U.S. citizenship status
Faculty leads: Dr. Colleen Thoma (cathoma@vcu.edu) and Dr. LaRon Scott (scottla2@vcu.edu).
Funding Package: Generally, each full-time 3-year package includes a GA stipend for 20 hours/week and associated tuition benefits.
Eligibility*:
- Has a B.S.** or Master's degree in Education, Psychology, Research Methodology, Social Work, or related fields.
- Acceptance into a School of Education’s doctoral program.
*Eligibility is determined each year by funding.
**B.S. is only accepted for the Ph.D. in Education with a track in educational psychology and for select students who have extensive experience in high-needs schools who are interested in completing a master's and continuing into a doctoral program.
- Apply to the Ph.D. in Education with specialized track (deadline to apply 12/15/19).
- Complete and submit the VCU School of Education Graduate Assistantship Application to our Graduate Studies office (can be completed at the same time you are submitting your graduate application materials).
- Contact the “Faculty Lead” listed with corresponding position to complete interview after you have submitted your full application package.
Interested candidates should contact soeinfo@vcu.edu for questions about the admissions process and interviews with faculty leads. Decisions on grant-funded positions will be made in mid-to-late February.