Project AMPS: Advancing Multilingual Practices and Supports
Are you a future school psychologist interested in developing your knowledge and skills to support multilingual learners with or at-risk for learning difficulties?
Project AMPS prepares future school psychologists to provide culturally and linguistically responsive research-based services and supports for multilingual learners in elementary and secondary schools.
If you’re interested in becoming a school psychologist who can work effectively with multilingual learners, Project AMPS will prepare you to provide research-based school psychological services in K12 educational settings. Through targeted coursework, fieldwork, and research preparation, you’ll learn how to provide specialized services and supports for multilingual learners who may experience or be at risk for learning difficulties and disabilities. Project AMPS provides academic year fellowships starting at $23,000/year for up to two years of your graduate studies while completing program and project requirements. The project will support at least 5 Project AMPS scholars per year through the 2027-28 academic year.
Scholar support and requirements
Scholar support
Project AMPS scholars will receive academic year fellowships of at least $23,000 per year for up to two academic years. Scholars also receive funds for Minnesota School Psychology Association membership and conference participation and credentialing costs. The total support provided to each scholar will be at least $47,500 over two-year participation in the project.
In addition, Project AMPS has additional need-based funding available to help reduce financial barriers to program engagement and degree completion. Once enrolled in the school psychology program and Project AMPS, if needed, you can apply for additional funding to support costs such as educational supplies, textbooks, technology, transportation, child care, and other living expenses.
Scholar requirements
Project AMPS scholars must complete all degree requirements of the school psychology specialist certificate, as well as the following project requirements:
- Complete the course EPSY 8800: Multi-tiered Systems of Support for Multilingual Learners;
- Participate in the Project AMPS proseminar each fellowship year;
- Complete specialized fieldwork activities in our partner district, under the supervision of of project faculty;
- Complete your MA research project on a topic related to the project, with support and advisement by project faculty;
- Graduate from the program by summer 2028;
- Obtain school psychologist licensure and National Certification in School Psychology; and
- Complete 2 years of eligible employment for every year of Project AMPS support received.
How to apply
Project AMPS is open to all current and prospective students of the UMN school psychology program who meet federal requirements specified in the Pre-scholarship Agreement and Eligibility Form, including US citizenship. Prospective students can apply to the program and Project AMPS at the same time or wait to apply to Project AMPS until after admission to the program. Project AMPS acceptance will be contingent upon admission to the graduate program.
To apply for Project AMPS, submit the Project AMPS application form, which includes uploading a 1-page (single-spaced) essay describing: (1) your interest in supporting the educational needs of multilingual learners with or at risk for learning disabilities, and (2) commitment to completing project requirements.
If you’ll also be applying for admission to the school psychology program, you’re also eligible to receive a waiver of the Graduate School application fee if you are from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented or from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. To have Project AMPS pay your application fee, apply for a waiver here.
Additional information will be taken from your program admission application, so it is not necessary to submit your transcript(s), CV, or other materials directly to Project AMPS. If you have questions about the process, please contact Project Director, Kirsten Newell at kwnewell@umn.edu.
About us
Project AMPS will prepare 12 school psychologists with expertise in interdisciplinary use, multilingual learner development and associated research-based supports for multilingual students with or at-risk for learning disabilities who have high-intensity needs. Scholars will complete specialized coursework and other learning activities in addition to their degree requirements to qualify for credentials in school psychology. Scholars will develop competencies in multilingual learner development and interdisciplinary research use. The Project's expected outcomes are to increase the supply of fully qualified personnel with expertise on high-intensity LD needs, improve multilingual students' access to effective assessment and intervention services, and support improved student outcomes. Project AMPS is made possible through a grant (H325R230006) to the University of Minnesota from the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The Project is led by faculty members of the school psychology program in collaboration with the program's other core faculty and district partner, St. Paul Public Schools.
Kirsten Newell, Project Director and Principal Investigator
Amanda L. Sullivan, Project co-Director
Lisa Aguilar, Indigenous Specialist