Leadership Scholars Program Requirements

Being a part of the STEP=UP Leadership program is a great way to jump-start your career as a special education University professor or researcher. The program offers unique enrichment opportunities and financial incentives to help scholars thrive. To ensure that students, who we call "scholars," get the most out of the program, we require participation in enrichment activities and coursework beyond the typical special education doctoral program. There is also a service commitment upon completion of the program.

Leadership Scholars Program Benefits

  • Tuition paid for courses in the Special Education Doctoral Program

  • Mentoring by professional in related fields

  • "Community of Inquiry" monthly seminars

  • Summer Institutes

  • Networking with professionals

  • Three paid summer internships (250 hours each; $7,500 yearly summer stipend)

  • Complete program in four (4) years

  • Courses offered in the evenings

  • $550 yearly book and professional organization stipend

  • $800 yearly for conference travel

  • Developing and implementing research projects

Program Requirements

Each Scholar must meet the following requirements: (for questions about these requirements, please contact Dr. Marie Tejero Hughes or Dr. Michelle Parker-Katz).

  • Complete all UIC graduate school, Special Education Doctoral degree program, and STEP=UP Leadership program requirements. See Doctoral Handbook for more specific information (http://www.uic.edu/educ/college/resources/pdf/final%20PhD%20 Handbook%20Spring%20Revised%204.pdf)

  • Pay all university application and semester fees, testing fees, additional books and materials costs.

  • Obtain a university faculty position in the area of special education and remain working in special education for 2 years for every year of funding (e.g., 49-72 credits = 6 years of service). This is the service obligation connected to federal funding.

  • Enroll in two classes and a "Community of Inquiry" seminar each spring and fall semester and one class during the first two summers.

  • Declare an area of concentration (language and literacy; behavioral and emotional disabilities; early childhood special education) and take appropriate courses in the area.

    • Language and Literacy: Students concentrate on understanding the reading, writing, and/or language development of children and adolescents with disabilities.

    • Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities: Students explore the risk factors and different theoretical approaches associated with the social and emotional development of youth ages 5-21.

    • Early Childhood Special Education: Students focus on the cognitive and social development of young children with special needs (ages birth to 8) and their families.

  • Participate in ongoing communications through email, phone, and in classrooms when appropriate.

  • Remain in good academic and project standing throughout program.

  • Participate in a mentoring relationship and networking opportunities.

  • Attend the annual Council for Exceptional Children Conference (http://www.cec.sped.org) for a minimum of two days each year.

  • Complete the three (3) summer internships in approved placements in the Chicago area. (Please note that each internship is a full-time commitment and that scholars will receive a stipend. Scholars will not be able to maintain outside employment during the internship periods.)

  • Actively engage in all program evaluation activities, including participating in an interview and completing a survey each year.

  • Meet regularly with faculty advisor and complete an annual Professional Development Plan.

  • Service obligation. Please download our Federal Service Requirement File (MSWord, 42 KB). Please note that after completing 24 credits in the program, the scholar may be able to begin counting their present employment (if it meets the special education requirements) towards their service obligation, thus completing up to 2 ½ years of the commitment prior to graduation. Upon completion of the program, the service obligation must be fulfilled through full-time work in a university setting.

Typical Program of Study

Fall 2007 (8 credits)

  • SPED 564
  • Elective in area of concentration
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting on Tuesdays)

Spring 2008 (7 credits)

  • SPED 592
  • Elective in area of concentration
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting on Tuesdays)

Summer 2008 (4 credits)

  • ED 500
  • Community Internship (complete 250 hours between June 16 – August 15)
  • Summer Institute

Fall 2008 (8 credits)

  • ED 501
  • Elective in area of concentration
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)

Spring 2009 (8 credits)

  • SPED 592
  • ED 502
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)

Summer 2009 (4 credits)

  • SPED 593
  • Research Internship (complete 250 hours between June 16 – August 15)

Fall 2009 (9 credits)

  • EPSY 503
  • SPED 593
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)
  • Written Prelim Exam Taken

Spring 2010 (8 credits)

  • SPED 592
  • SPED 595
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)
  • Dissertation Proposal Defense

Summer 2010 (0 credits)

  • Teaching Internship (complete 250 hours)
  • Summer Institute

Fall 2010 (8 credits)

  • SPED 599
  • Elective in area of concentration
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)

Spring 2011 (12 credits)

  • SPED 599
  • Community of Inquiry seminar (monthly meeting)
  • Dissertation Defense