Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) - College of Education and Human Development - George Mason University
About KIHd
About Us

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) is an interdisciplinary campus-based organization focusing on improving the lives and productivity of children and adults with disabilities. KIHd combines the resources of the university with local, state, regional, national, public, and private sector agencies and organizations to develop products, services, and programs for persons with disabilities.

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Licensure, Certificates & Training Grants

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) collaborates with a consortium of Virginia universities to offer training/licensure options for teachers of students with visual impairments and severe disabilities. Distance education makes the programs more accessible and maximizes the number of individuals who can receive the training.

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students, parents, professionals attending state of the art conference
VDOE Grants

With the support from Virgina Department of Education KIHd serves teachers, parents, therapists, and community service providers by providing a variety of continuing learning experiences via annual workshops, conferences, and project activities. In many cases, KIHd uses distance education to provide teacher training and professional development across the state.

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Project We Got It
Research

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) continues to build and support numerous educational research projects that vary across disciplines spearheaded by the Mason faculty members. Our goal is to increase evidence based instructional and behavioral strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students with disabilities.

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Leadership Grants
DOCTORAL AND MASTERS STUDENTS

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) doctoral and masters students conduct cutting edge research at George Mason University that is aimed to serve persons with disabilities and their families.

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  1. KIHD
  2. PhD Students Funding
  3. Project ASPIRE
  4. Service Obligation Commitment

Service Obligation Commitment

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Service Obligation Commitment

After I complete the doctoral program, do I have an obligation to continue in education and use the knowledge and skills I have acquired through this doctorate?

Yes. For every year of financial support, ASPIRE scholars are obligated to two years of service in an IHE position (usually, this will be as an assistant professor). There is a federal government Pre-Scholarship Agreement that must signed and agreed to before acceptance as an ASPIRE recipient.

ASPIRE applicants should be within career paths for which this doctorate and a position in higher education is a logical "next step." As such, the corresponding service obligation commitment is in direct alignment with what that desired career path.

ASPIRE applicants are well aware of the service obligation commitment, per information on this web site, prior to applying for ASPIRE. This service obligation commitment is expected.

Anyone who reviews the service obligation commitment and realizes it is not a match should not apply for ASPIRE. However, if a special education doctoral degree is a match for you, do consider applying for this PhD: https://education.gmu.edu/phd-in-education/phd-admissions

The following may be more detail than desired at this point! But this is the Pre-Scholarship Agreement ASPIRE scholars sign prior to receiving ASPIRE support. https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP/Content/pdf/1820-0686_Pre-Scholarship_Agreement.pdf