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College of Education

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Project IMPACT

Project IMPACT is a grant from the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. Project IMPACT will support 16 scholars to attend the University of South Carolina’s Special Education Program or Counselor Education Program.

About Project IMPACT

Project IMPACT is an interdisciplinary training program that will prepare school counselors (i.e., related service providers) and special education teachers to support the academic, behavioral, and mental health outcomes of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Scholars will receive a degree in the respective program (i.e., school counseling or special education), but will also receive advanced training in emotional and behavioral disorders.

Scholars who complete the School Counseling track will earn an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Counselor Education and be eligible for School Counselor certification in South Carolina and for licensure as a professional counselor.

Scholars who complete the Special Education track will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in Special Education and be eligible for teacher certification in multicategorical disabilities.

The program will prepare scholars with competencies in: 

  • Implementing evidence-based academic and behavioral interventions with students with EBD, 
  • Addressing the mental health and social/emotional needs of students with EBD using positive behavior supports and evidence-based mental health programming in schools and classrooms
  • Participating in interdisciplinary clinical experiences within a school setting. 

Project IMPACT scholars should expect to enroll in the program full-time, in-person. 

 

Project IMPACT Application Requirements

To apply to Project IMPACT, you must submit an application by November 1, 2022 as well as complete the following requirements: 

  • Submit an application for Spring 2023 for either the Ed.S. in Counselor Education with a concentration in K-12 School Counseling or the M.A.T. in Special Education with a concentration in Multicategorical Disabilities. 
  • Have an excellent undergraduate academic record (minimum GPA of 3.0).
  • Submit three strong letters of recommendation; at least one must specifically support your involvement in Project IMPACT.
  • Save the date for faculty interviews on November 11, 2022. You will be contacted prior to the interview if you are selected. 
  • Submit your résumé.
  • Submit a personal statement communicating your interest in working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The personal statement is part of the online graduate school application.

Ready to apply? Complete the Graduate School application. 

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