The overall goal of the Educate, Equip, and Empower (E3) Training Academy is to prepare special education (SPED), applied behavior analysts (ABA), and adapted physical education (APE) scholars at James Madison University (JMU) with the evidence-based necessary knowledge, skills, and advocacy to address the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional, development of students with disabilities ages three to 22 with high-intensity needs. "High-intensity needs" refers specifically to students with a complex array of disabilities or needs requiring individualized interventions. 

We currently have federal grant (U.S. Department of Education) funding to support graduate student scholars in the following programs: 

• M.A.T. K-12 Special Education, Adapted Curriculum
• M.Ed. Behavior Specialist (applied behavior analysis) program
• M.A.T. or M.A. Physical and Health Education Teacher Education

Interested students can apply for our graduate assistant positions. These positions include 9 hours of tuition remission per semester at in-state rates and a stipend for working 20 hours.  

Graduate assistantship requirements 

• Must be enrolled full time at the graduate level (9 credits or more per semester)
• Must be available to work 20 hours per week
• Schedule may vary but expect some days, evenings, and weekends based on grant activities
• Must be able to commute to various locations in the Shenandoah Valley for work 
• See this link to learn more about additional requirements from The Graduate School at JMU.  

For questions about applying to the programs and graduate assistantships, please contact 

Dr. Tom Moran for the M.A.T. or M.A. in Physical and Health Education Teacher Education 

morante@jmu.edu 

Dr. Sara Snyder for the M.A.T in Special Education, Adapted Curriculum or The M.Ed Behavior Specialist (Applied Behavior Analysis)  

snyde3sm@jmu.edu