AAC Specialist Program Grant
AAC Specialist Program Grant
Funding for Graduate Work in AAC
The Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education offer funding for graduate students interested in developing specialized competencies to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds who have significant communication disabilities and require augmentative and alternative communication (e.g., signs, communication boards, computer-based assistive technology).
Funding support is available through:
Doctoral-level teaching and research assistantships
Masters-level
research assistantships
a preservice personnel preparation grant in AAC (funded by the U.S. Department of Education) designed to prepare Masters-level speech language pathologists and special education teachers in the specialized competencies required to provide high quality services to infants, children and youth from diverse backgrounds who require AAC
The curriculum in AAC includes the following:
Additional specialized coursework, seminars and technical labs to develop special competencies in AAC and diversity;
Partnerships and practicum experiences with individuals who require AAC and their families, providing state-of-the-art AAC services;
Participation in an active research program that is directed toward improving practice and enhancing outcomes for individuals who use AAC;
Opportunities to work with outstanding research and clinical mentors;
Opportunities to present student research at state and national conferences.
More information on research and training related to AAC at Penn State is available here.
Applying:
Applying for Admission (Graduate Programs in Special Education)
Applying for Admission (Financial Aid for Graduate Students)
Janice Light, Ph.D.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Penn State University
217 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802
JCL4@psu.edu
David McNaughton, Ph.D.
Special Education
Penn State University
227A Cedar Building
University Park, PA 16802
DBM2@psu.edu
