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Early Childhood Special Education Competencies

Radford University and Lynchburg College

This program, funded by the Virginia Department of Education, is designed to prepare qualified teachers to work with children birth to age five who have disabilities in Virginia. To achieve this goal, the program a) accepts qualified applicants to participate in the Consortium, b) provides them with state-approved coursework in four of the courses required for endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and c) offer tuition support (through in-state tuition waivers) for endorsement coursework completed successfully.  For more information, visit www.radford.edu/ruecse or http://www.lynchburg.edu/esce.xml.

Radford University
Dr. Kathryn Hoover
kahoover@radford.edu

Lynchburg College
Dr. Glenn Buck
buck@lynchburg.edu

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Tuition Reimbursement for Coursework

The Tuition Assistance Program for Early Childhood Special Educators provides tuition reimbursement for full time paraprofessionals working in early childhood special education programs enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses related to special education areas and early childhood special educators teaching children in preschool special education programs.

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Endorsement Programs in Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Emotional Disturbance

Regions 1 and 8:
     Virginia Commonwealth University
Regions 2 and 5:
     Old Dominion University
Region 3:
     University of Mary Washington
     Norah Hooper at (540)286-8077, nhooper@umw.edu
Region 4:
     George Mason University
     Dr. Kelley Regan at (703)993-9858, kregan@gmu.edu or
     Ms. Terry Werner at (703)993-2064, twerner@gmu.edu
Regions 6 and 7
     Radford University
     Dr. Barbara Jean Tyler at bjtyler@radford.edu

If you do not know which region your school district is in, please go to the website at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/directories/schools/school_info_by_regions.shtml.

These programs are funded to provide coursework meeting licensure requirements for learning disabilities, emotionally disturbance, and/or mental retardation for eligible special educators.

Funding Determined Annually

Beth Bader (Virginia Commonwealth University)
babader@vcu.edu
804-828-2315/804-828-9821
http://www.soe.vcu.edu/COVE/index.html

Stephen Tonelson (Old Dominion University)
cseep@odu.edu
757-683-5372

Mike Behrmann (George Mason University)
mbehrmann@gmu.edu
703-993-3670
http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/sped/cohort_home/

Debora Bays (Radford University)
dbays@radford.edu
540-831-5190

Vanessa Haskins (Radford University)
vhaskins@radford.edu
540-831-5190

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Graduate Level Endorsement Program for Speech-Language Pathologist

James Madison University, in conjunction with Hampton University, Longwood University and the University of Virginia, is able to provide access to an accredited JMU Masters degree in speech-language pathology through distance education technologies. This program is designed for persons interested in earning a Masters degree in speech language pathology on a part time basis through online technology. "Career changers" and educators are encouraged to apply.

Funding Determined Annually

Teresa Drulia
Program Coordinator
druliatc@jmu.edu

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George Mason University, Fairfax

The Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Severe Disabilities is comprised of five state approved teacher preparation programs in severe disabilities (SD), including George Mason University, Norfolk State University, Radford University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. The consortium’s primary goal is to prepare teachers across the state to be highly skilled at working with learners with SD. The program is designed to increase the number of fully endorsed teachers by providing training to new full-time pre-service personnel and to accelerate the training for those already teaching on conditional licenses.

The SD Consortium is supported by grants from the Virginia Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Every semester, the Consortium awards a limited number of tuition stipends to qualified applicants.

Funding Determined Annually

Marci Kinas Jerome
Project Director
mkinas@gmu.edu
703-993-3670

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Endorsement Program in Hearing Impairments

Radford University, Radford

As part of its continuing tradition of preparing educators, Radford University offers Virginia's only program leading to licensure in Special Education - Hearing Impairment PreK-12. This program, available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, prepares professionals to serve children and youth who are deaf/hard of hearing.

The program, a collaboration between RU's Department of Special Education and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, is funded through the Virginia Department of Education. It was created to alleviate a critical shortage of teachers for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Participants in this program will have exposure to all communication/instructional approaches used with the deaf/hard of hearing so that methods can be employed based on student need, audiologic information, and family preference.

Funding Determined Annually

Ellen Austin, Faculty/ DHH Grant Co-Director-Coordinator
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program

School of Teacher Education and Leadership Radford University
C-170 Peters Hall
P.O. Box 6959
Phone: 540.831.5549
Fax: 540.831.5124
ebaustin@radford.edu

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Initial Licensure in VI
Add-on Endorsement Program in Visual Impairments

George Mason University
James Madison University
Old Dominion University
Norfolk State University
Radford University
Virginia Commonwealth University

This initial licensure program prepares personnel to effectively teach students with visual impairments at the graduate and undergraduate (selected universities) levels. The program also offers the five VI courses required for the VI add-on endorsement for already licensed special education teachers. The program is offered via distance education and face-to-face summer institutes. Partial course tuition is paid by a grant from the Virginia Department of Education.

Funding Determined Annually

http://kihd.gmu.edu/teacher_prep_program/contacts/

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Tuition Reimbursement for Coursework

The Tuition Assistance Program for Special Educators teaching school-age students (ages 5 to 21) provides tuition reimbursement for special educators holding a valid conditional or provisional license and taking courses meeting special education endorsement competencies AND full time paraprofessionals enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses related to special education.

Funding Determined Annually

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Troops-to-Teachers provides Referral Assistance/Placement services and Financial Assistance to military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The Virginia office of Troops-to-Teachers office will help applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification, provide financial assistance for these programs and employment opportunities.

To determine you eligibility visit the National Troops To Teachers Web Page at www.proudtoserveagain.com

For information on specific information on Troops To Teachers in Virginia visit www.odu.edu/troopstoteachers

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Certificate Program in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Both coursework and comprehensive certificate programs in ASD are now offered at a number of colleges and universities throughout Virginia. The Virginia Autism Council has created a protocol to recognize and promote courses and certificate programs that are in alignment with the Skill Competencies for Paraprofessionals and Professionals Serving Individuals with Autism across the Lifespan. Courses created using the Competencies provide information critical to supporting individuals with ASD. Tuition reimbursement is offered for students taking coursework designed to prepare educators to work with students with ASD. Reimbursement may be provided for stand alone courses as well as courses that are part of a comprehensive certificate program. Only those courses that have been recognized by the Virginia Autism Council are eligible for tuition reimbursement.

Please contact Info@AutismTrainingVA.org

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