Affiliate Programs
Programs are in alphabetical order. Click a letter or scroll down the page.
An inclusive college program located at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) for students with intellectual disability (ID). Our partnership with DCB allows one out of the three colleges in North Dakota to support young adults with ID who attend college. ASPIRE students attend courses with students who do not have disability because we believe in an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Students also earn meaningful credentials, gain employment, and learn independent living and social skills. Our goal is to make the dream of college a reality for students with ID. We also stive to create quality futures for these individuals to live and work in their communities
Welcome to ASTEP (Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment Program)! ASTEP is an inclusive college program for students with intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disability. Located at Minot State University since 2010, ASTEP partners with MSU and Dakota College at Bottineau to provide the only program in North Dakota to support young adults with I/DD to attend college. Twenty students attended annually from all over the state as well as from neighboring states. In an inclusive and supportive environment, ASTEP students attend college courses with students who don’t have disability, earn meaningful credentials, gain employment and learn independent living and social skills. ASTEP’s goal is to make the dream of college a reality for students with I/DD and create quality futures for these individuals to live and work in their communities
An innovative Comprehensive Post-Secondary Transition Program for students with intellectual or developmental disability. The 3-year-long program, with an optional 4th year, provides students with person-centered planning, specific training in transition skills; and social and academic supports that occur within the college experience to provide positive outcomes in terms of academics, employment, socialization and independent living.
Bear POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Work, Education and Resilience) at Missouri State University is a two-and-a-half-year inclusive college program that offers a post-secondary education opportunity to students with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) upon completion of high school. It begins in the fall and extends five semesters, not including summer, with graduation in December. Each cohort will include up to 15 students who will live on campus and participate in academic coursework, internships, and campus life. Bear POWER is highly focused on maintaining academic standards through possible modification of coursework and preparing students for employment upon graduation from the program.
The BUILD Program is an integrated two-year postsecondary, residential program for individuals with intellectual disability, which is boldly influenced and motivated by the Christian faith, propelling students to confidently navigate their world with self-determination; to live more independently, maintain meaningful integrated employment, and value life in community with others. This integrated experience includes opportunities for academic, vocational, residential, social, and spiritual development. After successfully completing the program’s requirements, students earn a Certificate in Applied Studies with a Career Pathway in Arts and Communication, Business, or Human Services.
Designed to increase opportunities for young adults with diverse learning abilities. Blackburn and Beyond is the only program of its kind in downstate Illinois. It was founded with the idea that individuals never stop learning and growing, and, with the right goals and proper assistance, everyone has the ability to achieve more. Blackburn offers a diverse and welcoming community for this on-campus program. Approved by the U.S. Department of Education as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), Blackburn and Beyond supports continuing academic, social, and/or independent living instruction; and will be enhanced with participation in Blackburn’s nationally recognized Work Program. Based on individualized goals, each student will have access to any course offered by the College and will receive support from mentors and tutors to set everyone up for success. Career development is also an important part of any CTP, and Blackburn offers a unique opportunity as the only student-led work program in the nation. Blackburn and Beyond students will be able to participate along with the majority of their peers within any of the College’s 12 work departments or with community sponsors. The four-year program includes pathways for a certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree.
The College Transition Program (CTP) was established at Westminster College in 2007 to provide the support that students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder need to be successful learners in the academic, social, and physical environment they share with regularly admitted students. Between 2011 and 2021, the CTP has graduated 26 students on the spectrum, all of whom have gone on to obtain advanced degrees or full-time employment. Currently, the CTP boasts a 73% retention and graduation rate.
A four-year program, ELSA provides a full-time, post-secondary educational experience to young adults with differing abilities. The program emphasizes three key areas: academics, work experience and social and recreational experience. Students have an inclusive college experience at Elmhurst University that includes joining clubs and organizations, living on campus, and opportunities to explore some college level coursework. Our students continue to grow as individuals and build skills for lifelong-learning opportunities, with the goal to work productively and live as independently as possible.
The University of Kansas, Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) is a fully-inclusive, two-year undergraduate certificate program for students with intellectual disability. Students complete the course of study (at least 24 credit hours) that includes required and elective KU courses (all with peers without ID/D), student life activities and clubs, and career internships. Students’ courses and certificate are included on their official KU transcript. Students are full-fledged KU students so can also participate in all student life activities and clubs on campus as well as live in KU Housing. Finally, we have a strong career development focus with students participating in paid and unpaid career internships.
PAWS (Preparing Adults for Work and Society) is an inclusive post-secondary option for students with intellectual disability. It centers on meeting individual student goals through skill-focused classes specific to the PAWS program, as well as degree courses. Students work with their advisors, faculty, and tutors during this four-semester program. They also pursue vocational opportunities for potential long-term, meaningful employment. Students in the PAWS program are part of the Mizzou community. They live on campus in the residence halls, participate in courses, study for and take exams, and are part of the day-to-day social interactions of the undergraduate experience.
REACH (Realizing Educational And Career Hopes) Program is a two-year, transition certificate program for students with multiple intellectual, cognitive, and learning disability. UI REACH provides a Big 10 campus experience to empower young adults to become independent, engaged members of the community. Courses, campus life, and career preparation assist students in reaching their full potential. UI REACH coordinates alumni events and strives to maintain periodic contact in order to support and realize independent living and career-related skills that they have acquired through the program.
RISE stands for Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation and Employment. Its purpose is to give students with intellectual disability the college life experience in a Christian community. It strives to prepare students to live as independently as possible; to gain skills that will assist them in becoming competitively employed. RISE is a two-year program that includes a customized curriculum, as well as opportunities for students to declare a concentration and audit traditional student courses. The customized curriculum includes independent living, personal fitness and wellness, person-centered planning, professional skills, and current events. Both on- and off-campus internships are part of the program. RISE students are fully engaged in Judson student life: Participating in chapel three times per week, sporting events, music/theater/social activities, etc. RISE also offers Special Olympics basketball and Special Olympics Track and Field. Students earn a Certificate of Completion in Liberal Arts and participate in the Judson University graduation ceremony. Two RISE students are assigned to a dorm room, with a RISE Resident Advisor living across the hall. Traditional Judson students also have the opportunity to be Learning or Vocational Advisors for the program. RISE cohorts, of 8-12 students each, begin every fall semester. Tuition, room, and board match the costs that traditional Judson students pay. Each RISE cohort follows a typical academic year (four semesters, spanning August through May for two academic years). Ideal candidates are students 18-25 years of age, with a diagnosed intellectual disability; a high school diploma or equivalent; practical reading/writing skills, and a desire to learn with traditional students.
STRIVE is a post-secondary education program offering two semesters of non-credit employment skills development at the University of Missouri-Columbia for 18- to 30-year-olds with autism or a similar diagnosis. STRIVE participants will receive 300 hours of skill instruction, 60 hours of peer mentorship, and up to 300 hours of work experience during the 10-month program. To prepare for employment, individuals receive direct skill instruction led by staff from the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, paid job experience, coached feedback, peer mentoring, and a parent liaison for caregivers.
The University of Central Missouri offers an outstanding program for young adults with intellectual or developmental disability. The two-year residential college experience focuses on building student knowledge and skills in order to transition from home to independent living; from school to the workplace. Students have the opportunity to come for a third or fourth year, depending on their interests and need. Parents have observed that through the program "their students become more independent than they ever thought possible".
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THRIVE's mission is to empower students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be independent, participating members of their communities. The philosophy focuses on self-determination as exemplified by the six threads of the THRIVE program.
The MMI-UNO Trailblazers Program offers students with mild to moderate intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in the same learning environments available to same-age peers in an academic-, vocational-, and social inclusion-focused program. This two-year program includes auditing a minimum of two (2) undergraduate courses per semester and completion of a specified number of vocational and other experiences. An individual plan for college participation is developed for each student. This is a certificate program that does not offer higher education credits toward a college degree.
The NDSU Transition and Access Program (TAP) creates opportunities for students to achieve life and career success through the development of educational, personal and vocational skills, while fostering personal growth and social engagement within the NDSU campus community. Our goal is to prepare individuals with intellectual disability for competitive, paid employment and independent living in an inclusive community setting.
Formerly known as UMSL Succeed, the OIPE empowers through education by cultivating inclusion. This entails creating opportunities for collaboration among students, campus partners, and the community. OIPE fosters self-determination skills grounded across four pillars: Live, Learn, Work, and Play.
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It envisions a campus where students with I/DD can live independently, learn in a supportive and inclusive environment, find meaningful employment, and be immersed in a rich social climate. OIPE holds the distinction of being recognized nationwide as a model Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP). It recognizes diverse learning abilities, and thus offers students the choice to apply to one of three programs: Succeed, Succeed+, and Link (degree or certificate).
