How to Apply Highlights

The Lab School of Washington Fellows Program that offers a select group of candidates from the MA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities at American University with the opportunity to complete a 12-month residency working with students with language-based learning differences. The fellows program is grounded in evidence-based research which provides candidates with the knowledge and skills to work with average to above average students with a range of reading, writing, and math difficulties, including dyslexia, auditory processing, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Fellows will be provided with intensive training experiences, classroom management, ongoing mentoring from Lab School master teachers and American University faculty. Coursework includes an overview of learning disabilities, development of language acquisition, diagnostic and remedial reading and mathematics, and the neuropsychology of learning.

As a Lab School of Washington Fellow, you will be able to marry your experiences in the classroom with your coursework. This apprentice model has proven to be the most effective preparation for positions as classroom teachers, learning resource specialists, tutoring, and candidates for advanced study in psychology, neuropsychology, and special education.

Program Highlights

• Earn a master’s degree in one year
• A $10,000 training stipend
• $25,000 tuition scholarship 
• Advanced training in Orton-Gillingham approach
• Hands-on training in multisensory mathematics
• Mentoring and supervision
• Preparation for DC Licensure
• Ongoing professional development workshops
• Assistance with job placement
• Membership in an extensive network of educators, researchers, and school leaders in special education

How to Apply

Review the Graduate Admissions page to learn more about applying to the MA in Special Education Program. Candidates should indicate they are interested in the Lab School Fellows program by checking the appropriate box in the application and describing their interest in their Statement of Purpose. Selected candidates must complete an interview with Lab School and American University faculty. For questions, write to specialed@american.edu.

Program Completion Requirements

• 32 credit hours
• Completion of one-year internship at The Lab School
• An electronic professional teaching portfolio
• Completion of Praxis II Exam prior to graduation

About the Lab School

The Lab School of Washington is an independent school which services students grades 1-12 with a diagnosed language-based learning difference. The unique environment of The Lab School places a focus on multisensory education, experiential learning, club models, arts, and small classroom sizes. This vision was created by Sally L. Smith, the founder of The Lab School who also launched American University’s Special Education: Learning Disabilities program.

Interns can expect to work with a population of students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, speech impairments, difficulties with self-esteem, and other learning disorders. In this hands-on experience, interns are able to apply information learned in their evening classes directly to students at Lab during the day. Interns will work closely under a master teacher to implement innovative, evidence-based, and creative lessons to small groups of students in literacy, math, and reading.

Read more about the partnership between The Lab School and American University.