The University of Kentucky College of Education has received $1,250,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to provide tuition support to students pursuing interdisciplinary training in the applied behavior analysis and interdisciplinary early childhood education (IECE) master’s degree programs. 

“Students from both programs will learn side-by-side to collaborate with and coach parents and educators to improve socially meaningful behaviors in young children with high-intensity needs in the home, community, and inclusive preschool classrooms in rural and urban areas of Kentucky,” said Jennifer Grisham, Ph.D., the personnel preparation grant’s principal investigator. 

The training program, known as Project TIERS: Tiered Instruction, Engagement, Responding and Services, will provide students a $6,000 stipend each semester, covering full in-state tuition.  

The deadline to apply for the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Program's master’s is Tuesday, March 15. Once admitted to IECE master’s program, students will apply for TIERS funding and funding decisions will be made by May. The program offers both on-campus and hybrid course options. The Applied Behavior Analysis Program is no longer accepting applications for TIERS.

Master’s students receiving funding in the TIERS program are required to fulfill two years of service obligation for every academic year of scholarship support. 

In addition to Grisham, UK College of Education faculty on the personnel preparation grant include Sarah Hawkins, Justin Lane and Collin Shepley. 

This project is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education as part of an award H325K190051 totaling $1,250,000 with 100% funded by OSEP.