Increasing New Vision Teachers for Alabama

Name: Auburn University at Montgomery
Address: 7430 East Drive, Montgomery, AL, 36117, US
Telephone: 334-244-3000

The College of Education at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) was awarded a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The overall goal of the project is to invest in the training of 40 highly qualified special education providers, namely teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs), to better serve the needs of students with high-intensity backgrounds and needs. Scholars in Project INVEST-AL will complete the 30-hour Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, Visual Impairments Concentration which leads to an Alabama Class A (K-12) teaching certification in visual impairments. The program will not only include seven (7) focused courses on visual impairments but will include one (1) specialized course in clinical mental health, one (1) specialized instruction in teaching mathematics and reading to students with disabilities, and one (1) seminar course focused on working with students in different learning environments.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Grant #: H325M250128

PI: Dr. Derrick Smith, Phone: 334-244-3425, Office: Education 323

News for 2026!

All information on how to apply for the scholarship is available below. Please read all instructions, as the application process has multiple steps.

For those who wish to apply, here is our timeline:

Application Portal opens on February 1, 2026, and closes on March 22, 2026, at midnight.
Candidates will be contacted by April 3, 2026, if they were selected for interviews or waitlisted.
Zoom interviews will occur between April 4, 2026, and May 1, 2026.
Our goal is to announce the Fall 2026 cohort by June 1, 2026, if not earlier.

For the Fall 2026 cohort, we anticipate being able award 10 scholarships, however this may change depending on available funds.

If you would like to be put on an email list to receive updates of when the application process begins, please email us at [email protected].

How this project will benefit you.

Scholars will be provided the following benefits:

Tuition and fees for all courses will be paid for by the grant;
All textbooks are provided by the grant;
Monthly webinars with leading professionals from across the nation on various topics;
A one-time stipend to support travel to intensive clinical experiences within the state;
Opportunities for participation in state-level conferences as part of the intensive clinical experiences;
ALSDE Class A certification in Visual Impairments*;
Learning evidence-based practices to work with students with significant needs, particularly those with visual impairments and deafblindness;
Learning in a collaborative, interdisciplinary community of learners;
The entire program is completed in just four (4) semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall).

Child engaging in a creative art project with intricate cardboard cutouts at a desk in a warmly lit room.

How this project will benefit you.

Scholars will be provided the following benefits:

Tuition and fees for all courses will be paid for by the grant;
All textbooks are provided by the grant;
Monthly webinars with leading professionals from across the nation on various topics;
A one-time stipend to support travel to intensive clinical experiences within the state;
Opportunities for participation in state-level conferences as part of the intensive clinical experiences;
ALSDE Class A certification in Visual Impairments*;
Learning evidence-based practices to work with students with significant needs, particularly those with visual impairments and deafblindness;
Learning in a collaborative, interdisciplinary community of learners;
The entire program is completed in just four (4) semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall).

How this project will benefit you.

Scholars will be provided the following benefits:

Tuition and fees for all courses will be paid for by the grant;
All textbooks are provided by the grant;
Monthly webinars with leading professionals from across the nation on various topics;
A one-time stipend to support travel to intensive clinical experiences within the state;
Opportunities for participation in state-level conferences as part of the intensive clinical experiences;
ALSDE Class A certification in Visual Impairments*;
Learning evidence-based practices to work with students with significant needs, particularly those with visual impairments and deafblindness;
Learning in a collaborative, interdisciplinary community of learners;
The entire program is completed in just four (4) semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall).

How it works.

Program Description

All scholars will complete a Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Special Education: Visual Impairments Concentration. This program consists of seven (7) courses focused specifically on serving students with visual impairments and deafblindness, along with four (4) courses in special education. The program requires an intensive practicum completed throughout the program of study.

The entire program can be completed online, with the exception of an orientation weekend at AUM and 1-2 weeks of face-to-face instruction during the summer. The face-to-face meetings consist of one week in the Huntsville area and one week at AIDB in Talladega. Housing and some meals will be provided at no cost. All scholars will receive a stipend to cover all uncovered expenses. Some courses may also require online class meetings in the evenings.

If selected, scholars will be required to attend an online orientation meeting that will explain the steps for admission to AUM, the program-of-study timeline, and program requirements.

Candidates must complete the 10 courses listed below and may also be required to pass specific Praxis exams.

Study Now, Serve Later:

The 2-for-1 Service Commitment

U.S. Department of Education Program Requirements

This program is available to residents of the state of Alabama only. Upon graduating from either program, students must fulfill the service obligation required by the grant. As required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, individuals accepting scholarship assistance through this grant funding will be required to complete the service obligation requirement of two years of full-time employment for each academic year in which scholarship assistance is received, or repay all or part of the costs of such assistance, in accordance with Section 673(h) of IDEA. Both the institution and the recipient will comply with all applicable regulations for this requirement and ensure that each scholar meets the requirements outlined in 34 CFR 304.23. The project will obtain a Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance from each scholar. Each student who receives support from this grant will sign a Pre-Scholarship Agreement prior to receipt of a scholarship, and an Exit Certification immediately upon the scholar exiting the program. The project will meet the statutory requirements under sections 662(h) through (h) of IDEA. More information about the service obligation is available on the OSEP Personnel Development Program Data Collection System website.

Take the Next Step in Your Teaching Career.

Fall 2026 Cohort Application Requirements

Potential Scholarship Candidates must have the following:

An earned bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution.
A minimum 2.75 overall GPA in their undergraduate program.
A valid Alabama State Department of Education Teaching Certificate (Class B or higher) in any area.

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Special Programs, Award No. H325M250128). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this document. The contents of this website may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this website does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy of, or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by, any Federal agency.

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Get In Touch

Want More Info About AUM?

Address

7400 East Drive, Montgomery, AL | Taylor Center 101

Call Today

334-244-3000

Fax

334-244-3795

[email protected]

Office Hours

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday

Project INVEST-AL Course Listing

Course	Description
ESPE 6610: Foundations in Visual Impairments	Introduction to academic language found within the profession of special education of students with visual impairments. Examines standards, organizations, programs, and services for students with visual impairments. Studies the basic anatomy, diseases, and disorders of the visual system.
ESPE 6620: Methods for Teaching Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments	Examines the strategies used to make education accessible to students with visual impairments through the creation of high-quality accommodations and/or modifications. Topics include organization, assessment, early intervention, and the expanded core curriculum. This course serves as the methods course for teaching students with visual impairments and blindness.
ESPE 6630: Introduction to Orientation and Mobility	Examines the psychosocial implications of blindness, with a particular focus on independence. Exploration of basic orientation mobility concepts including human guide and basic independent travel through the use of verbal description and tactile graphics.
ESPE 6640: Introduction to Braille Literacy	The purpose of this course is to teach you to read (visually and/or tactually) and write the Literary Braille Code (Unified English Braille, UEB). You will learn to write in both uncontracted (previously called Grade 1) braille and contracted braille (previously called Grade 2). You will learn to read single-sided braille material, as well as interpoint braille (braille which is embossed on both sides of the page). You will learn to write braille using a Perkins Brailler (the equivalent of a manual typewriter and referred to as either a "Perkins" or a "braillewriter") and the computer keyboard using Perky Duck software. You will also learn the basics for conducting a Learning Media Assessment.
ESPE 6650: Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairments and Deafblindness	Intensive examination of curricular adaptations, assessment, and intervention for students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments or deafblindness.
ESPE 6660: Advanced Braille and Assistive Technology	Focused exploration of the Nemeth Code for Mathematics and Science Notation, assistive technology and STEM education for students with visual impairments.
ESPE 6917: Visual Impairments Traditional MEd Practicum	This practicum provides opportunities for Traditional Master level VI majors to practice applications of content knowledge and skills that the courses and other experiences of the advanced preparation emphasize in a variety of developmental settings. The opportunities lead to appropriate culminating experiences in which candidates demonstrate their proficiencies through problem-based tasks or research that are characteristic of their professional specialization.
ESPE 6970: Critical Issues in Special Education	The purpose of this course is to provide a critical analysis of issues confronting the field of special education. Current trends in service delivery, special education teacher preparation, research, special education policy, instructional design, and other areas will be addressed. Candidates will examine how federal and state initiatives in the field of special education affect services for students with exceptionalities in the general education curriculum.
ESPE 6350: Advanced Study in Collaboration and Consultation	Examination of and training in collaborative teaching in educational settings. Participants will study interpersonal relationships with other professionals in the school setting and with families of students with exceptionalities. Included are evidenced-based best practices in collaboration, the fundamentals of group processes, and skills needed for collaboration.
Approved Advisor Education Elective	Scholars will work with the faculty at AUM to determine the most appropriate education elective that will support the scholars’ professional goals.

Fall 2026 Cohort Application Requirements

Potential scholars will be required to apply and be admitted by the AUM Graduate School for the M.Ed. program. It is recommended that applicants wait to apply until they are selected for the scholarship before ofﬁcially applying to AUM. The application for admission to AUM is SEPARATE from the application for the scholarship. Official transcripts should be submitted with the application to the Graduate School when applying to AUM.

In order to apply for the Scholarship, applicants will be required to:

As part of the online application, the following documents must be uploaded within the application:

An unofficial copy of ALL the applicant’s transcripts (undergraduate and graduate). [Please note that candidates will need to submit official transcripts if selected for the scholarship as they apply to be admitted to AUM.]
One letter of recommendation (must be submitted with the application). One letter of recommendation from a supervisor who can effectively discuss your ability to complete the program and your past efforts in supporting students with disabilities. (These are to be submitted by the applicant. They should be signed documents. They may be PDFs or an image (JPEG,etc.).
An unofficial copy of your ALSDE Teaching Certificate.
On a Microsoft Word document, the applicants will compose a Statement of Intent essay answering this question: “Outside of the degree and financial support, what do you hope to learn from this program? What is your intent for applying for this scholarship program?”
- Use the following guidelines for your essay:
  
  Use a minimum of four paragraphs and a maximum of six, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  
  Type the essay double-spaced using a sans-serif font (12 font, 1-inch margins).
- Avoid quotes unless they have specific relevance to justify a conclusion. In most cases, quotes should be avoided as evidence or support.

There will be two stages of applicant review. The first stage will consist of a review of the application materials in order to narrow the number of potential scholars. In the second and final stage, selected potential scholars will complete an interview with the project faculty and other members of the College of Education via Zoom. The final selection of scholars will be completed after the interviews.

Please contact the Project INVEST-AL Dr. Derrick Smith at [email protected] if you have any questions.