Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the program?

If you think that the MPUP-I program is for you, print the Application Checklist to get started! All the materials and links you need are at Apply Now.

Are all the courses online?

All of the required courses for the deaf education endorsement, and the additional disability electives are completely accessible through distance education. Applicants who are already certified in special education will, in most cases, already have most of the prerequisites completed. You can complete your ASL proficiency in a number of ways.

Are there any scholarships or assistantships available to help me financially?

For students accepted into the MPUP-I program, the grant will provide tuition support for all classes, and expenses for travel to mentor shadowing sites and the two on-campus MPUP-I meetings.

What are my obligations if I accept the grant tuition support?

The goal of the MPUP-I program is to prepare teachers to help meet the severe shortage of itinerant teachers and consultants in rural and urban cluster (areas with populations <50,000) areas. Participants who receive funding from the Office of Special Education Programs are obligated to work for two years in the field of deaf education for each year they receive financial support, and are selected partly because they already live and work, or intend to live and work, in such areas.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

The MPUP-I program, including the deaf education endorsement requirements, the additional disability electives and the MPUP-I seminar, will take approximately 3 years, averaging two courses per semester. Full time, a student can finish in 2 to 2 1/2 years, however, most of the participants are expected to be non-traditional students who will need to take a part-time rather than full time course load.

How often will I have to come to Lincoln?

MPUP-I participants will come to Lincoln twice during their program. The first visit will be an orientation to the program and a chance to meet with the other individuals in the cohort. The second visit is a four-day workshop at the end of the year-long itinerant teaching seminar. Traveling expenses are paid by the grant for MPUP-I students.

The MPUP-I grant #H325K100249 is funded by the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)