New award funds special educator, behavior analyst training
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2025) — New funding to the University of Kentucky College of Education is opening doors for future special educators and behavior analysts. Through the BEACON Project, qualified students can earn a master’s degree in special education or applied behavior analysis at no cost.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field are encouraged to apply. The program, supported by an award from the U.S. Department of Education, provides a stipend and covers tuition, fees and textbooks.
The BEACON Project is also seeking a doctoral-level graduate assistant with Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentials to join the interdisciplinary project team. The doctoral assistantship includes a $25,000 annual stipend, full tuition coverage, health insurance and benefits.
Special education teachers and board-certified behavior analysts often work side-by-side to support K-12 students with diverse learning needs. In this collaborative master’s program, BEACON scholars will work hands-on as part of these interdisciplinary teams and gain the experience needed to make an immediate impact in schools and communities.
“We are seeking applicants who are passionate about improving outcomes for students with disabilities and complex behavioral needs. Graduates of this program will be prepared in evidence-based practices, so they can confidently enter the field with the ability to work collaboratively and make data-informed decisions,” said Sally Shepley, Ph.D., BEACON project director. Shepley holds BCBA-doctoral certification and is an associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education.
Applicants should be motivated to serve in high-need, high-poverty and underserved communities, including rural Appalachia, and dedicated to two years of service in the field for every year of financial support, said Shepley.
Co-principal investigators for the BEACON award are Kera Ackerman, Ph.D., associate professor, and Justin Lane, Ph.D., associate professor and acting department chair, Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counselor Education. Lane also holds BCBA-doctoral certification.
Prospective students can submit an application for admission to one of the academic programs listed below and should indicate in their personal statement why they are a good fit to be a BEACON Scholar.
Apply by Jan. 15:
Apply by March 1:
Apply by April 16:
For more information, contact Shepley at sally.shepley@uky.edu.
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education as part of an award H325K250088 totaling $1,250,000 with 100% funded by the Department of Education.
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