Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Behavioral Research Training in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This program trains research scientists in the behavioral aspects of intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The basic goal is to train sophisticated, broadly based, skillful behavioral scientists committed to research on mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Begun at Peabody College in 1954 with support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the training program has been continuously funded for nearly 50 years and has influenced the depth and scope of the field of research on mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.

Pre- and Postdoctoral Training

The behavioral manifestation of developmental disabilities, the complex multifaceted interactions between behavioral and biomedical variables, and the increasing prevalence of contributing risk factors strongly support the need for sophisticated research training at the pre- and postdoctoral level.

Program Emphasis

The training program emphasizes the complex, interdisciplinary nature of contemporary behavioral research in intellectual and developmental disabilities in several ways:

  • Trainees come from the Departments of Psychology and Human Development, Special Education, and Hearing and Speech Sciences
  • Training faculty include research scientists studying a wide range of problems
  • Trainees are immersed in ongoing, collaborative research
  • Through required course work, a continuing proseminar, and a diverse colloquium program, trainees receive a comprehensive introduction to contemporary behavioral research as well as relevant research in the neuro- and biomedical sciences.

Trainees are prepared as research scientists capable of working in an interdisciplinary context in universities and medical or research centers. The program has 21 faculty preceptors. Funds support six predoctoral and two postdoctoral trainees.

How to Apply

Fellows are selected on the basis of their overall academic excellence and match of interests with program faculty. Predoctoral fellows are admitted through the Departments of Psychology and Human Development, Special Education, or Hearing and Speech Sciences. Apply to either department through the Graduate School. Include a statement of interest in this program in the Personal Statement section of the application. Contact:

Vanderbilt University
The Graduate School
411 Kirkland Hall
Nashville, TN 37240

Postdoctoral applicants should apply directly to the training directors in care of the address below. Send a statement of interest, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference to:

Linda Dupré, Grants Manager
Vanderbilt University Developmental Disabilities Research Training Program
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Peabody Box 40
230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203-5701

Related Faculty Members

Top Ranked...

Peabody College has been consistently ranked among the top 10 schools of education in the nation by U. S. News and World Report for the past six years, and Special Education within the top 3 nationwide.

Collaboration...

Collaborative relationships with the Tennessee Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Education, and Health; with Meharry Medical College; and with county school systems provide additional research opportunities.

Center researchers also have collaborative relationships with area early intervention and early childhood education programs, and with programs serving adults with disabilities.

See Also...

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Links

  • Vanderbilt Vision Research Center
    The Vanderbilt Vision Research Center promotes research and training on a wide range of problems in vision science.
  • Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
    An interdisciplinary doctoral training program in pharmacological sciences at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • Peabody College Department of Special Education
    Ranked as a top-tier special education program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade, the department has long been a leader both in research and practice. The department ranks first in scholarly production among other departments at research universities in the United States, according to a new report by Academic Analytics.
  • Neuroscience Graduate Program
    Vanderbilt Brain Institute's Neuroscience Graduate Program fosters development from trainee to independent research scientist and educator.
  • Neurogenomics Research Training
    The program provides for formal research training and didactic instruction, as well as seminars and technical workshops at the interface of neuroscience and genomic research. The program is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Funds support six postdoctoral trainees.
  • Developmental Psychopathology Research Training
    Program trains research scientists studying the development, life course, and prevention of abnormal behavior.
  • Biobehavioral Interventions Training Program
    Postdoctoral fellowships are available through the Biobehavioral Interventions Training Program, supported by an NIH Roadmap initiative, at Vanderbilt University.