The College of Education and Health Professions' Department of Curriculum and Instruction is seeking applicants for ELEVATE, a fully-funded doctoral training program.

The department is recruiting approximately three scholars who will be leaders in supporting the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities and their families in roles within either school administration or higher education. Interested applicants must first apply and be accepted to the graduate school at the U of A. 

In order to be eligible for potential scholarships, which require GRE test scores, applicants should apply by the Dec. 1 priority date. The deadline for applicants after this priority date is Feb. 1. GRE test scores are not required for admission.

This fully-funded Ph.D. program in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in special education transition will provide scholars with a $30,000 yearly stipend, fully covered tuition and fees, a competitive onboarding package, research and travel funds, and personalized mentorship and advising with nationally-recognized experts in special education.

To be eligible, applicants must commit to an in-person, full-time doctoral program at the U of A and possess a master's degree with relevant experience.

ELEVATE, an acronym for Equipping Learning, Empowering Vision, Achieving Transitions and Engaging families, is a five-year, $6 million U.S. Department of Education training grant designed to recruit scholars interested in special education transition at six top institutions. 

Faculty in the College of Education and Health Professions and ELEVATE scholars will partner with representatives from the University of Oklahoma, the University of Connecticut, the University of Kansas, Ohio State University and Sam Houston State University throughout their doctoral experience.

At the U of A, the program is led by principal investigator Sheida Raley and co-investigators Suzanne Kucharczyk, Melissa Savage and James Sinclair.

Those interested can contact assistant professor of special education Sheida Raley at sheida@uark.edu.