What We Do
Graduate Studies and Interdisciplinary Training
Interdisciplinary Training for Doctoral Students
Training researchers, teachers, practitioners and activists interested in disability issues from various discliplinary perspectives.
fact sheet (last updated 03/09) | Contact: Laura Stough, 979-845-8257
The Interdisciplinary Training Doctoral Program at the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University provides an opportunity for doctoral students to study the complex social, political, cultural and educational
issues that surround individuals with disabilities and their families.
The program’s theoretical focus on disability studies supports the formation of researchers, teachers, practitioners and activists who are interested in disability issues from various disciplinary perspectives.
The program prepares graduates within the College of Education and Human Development as well as students from other colleges wishing to make the program part of their degree plan. Current fellows are engaged in research, policy and service projects that make an impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Fellows work closely with core Center faculty on research and outreach projects, as well as policy issues that affect the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
The Interdisciplinary Training Doctoral Program has as its goal to increase the number of qualified personnel across disciplines who are able to provide quality services and supports for individuals with disabilities.
Low-Incidence Disability Training for Master’s Students (LID)
Preparing special educators to work with students in Texas with low-incidence disabilities.
fact sheet (last updated 03/09) | Contact: Laura Stough, 979-845-8257
The purpose of the LID master’s program is to produce qualified specialists
to serve the instructional needs of students with the most significant disabilities in our pubic schools, which includes students with intellectual disabilities, autism, developmental delay, traumatic brain injury or multiple disabilities. Further, the LID program works to graduate master teachers who will be instructional leaders at the school, district and regional levels.
The majority of Texas special education teachers have little or no training in low-incidence disabilities despite an overwhelming need. Since 1998, the LID master’s program has made a significant impact by graduating 110 teachers who currently serve over 3,300 students throughout Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently recognized the LID program as one of the top training programs in Texas.
In May 2007, Drs. Laura Stough and Dalun Zhang began a new program to train experienced teachers who want to become master teachers in the area of low-incidence disabilities. The current five-semester program is available at both on Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station and through distance courses offered in The Woodlands site north of Houston. Applicants who are accepted into the program receive generous scholarship and travel stipends to support their studies.
