Educational Specialist Concentration

Tuition Funding

Project TIERS logo

Full funding is available to Ed.S. applicants via Project TIERS!

Project TIERS is a collaborative project between USF’s School Psychology program and a Tampa Bay area school district that is funded by a 5-year U.S. Department of Education grant. The primary aims of this project are to increase access to quality school-based mental health services for children attending high-needs elementary schools, address the shortage of school psychologists in high-needs school districts in Florida, and increase the presence of school psychologists with marginalized identities in local schools to better reflect the identities and experiences of the students and families they serve. To accomplish these aims, the USF School Psychology Program will be increasing our enrollment of Ed.S. students. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with identities that are marginalized based on race, ethnicity, culture, languages spoken, income background, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or national origin (not meant to be an exhaustive list).

In addition to participating in our core EdS Program, Project TIERS graduate students will receive:

  • Specialized training and direct applied experience in the provision of school-based mental health supports via multi-tiered systems of support
  • Two years of paid tuition toward an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology, plus generous stipend for living expenses each year*
  • Stipends for additional program expenses (e.g., textbooks, childcare, computer purchase, professional association membership fees, background checks, and conference travel)*
  • Practicum placement in an elementary school in a large, diverse district
  • Mentorship from School Psychology faculty matched on shared interests
  • Mentorship from a practicing school psychologist, matched on shared interests
  • Regular supervision of Project TIERS activities by a credentialed school psychologist
  • Assistance in procuring 3rd year internship in a high-needs school district
  • Job placement in a high-needs Florida school district after graduation*

If you are interested in being part of Project TIERS, complete an application to our school psychology Ed.S. program and indicate in your personal statement that you are interested in Project TIERS. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Stacy-Ann January, Principal Investigator, at sajanuary@usf.edu. 

*Acceptance of 2 years of funding requires a commitment to work in a high-needs Florida school district for 4 years following graduation.