901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
| Program Contact | Rachel Heinz |
| rachelheinz@missouristate.edu | |
| Phone | 417-836-5282 |
| Website | https://www.missouristate.edu/bearpower/ |
Missouri State Bear POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Work, Education and Resilience) is an inclusive college program for students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Bear POWER is a two and a half year (five semester) residential program that provides the opportunity for students to continue their education beyond high school. Note that accepted students start in January of each year.
All students choose an "area of concentration" that they wish to study and will attend inclusive classes alongside their peers with modified academic coursework. Ambassadors are Missouri State student volunteers who provide support and integration to Bear POWER students within academic and social settings.
A variety of internship based experiences will also be included within the Bear POWER program. Upon completing the program, students will earn a certificate and walk in the graduation ceremony alongside their peers.
Program information submitted: February 25, 2021
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: | Have graduated or exited from high school |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular H.S. diploma required? | Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | Check MSU Bear POWER Website for updated information. |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | 2 years |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $1524.00 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year | $2796.00 |
| Room and board: | $4179.00 |
| Program fees: | $4035.00 |
| Cost of the program: | |
| Additional costs: |
$0.00 Books & Supplies - $625 |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | Yes |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
|
| Scholarships available: | Please check our Financial Aid page for scholarships. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
|
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Bear POWER offers a course called "Academic Support". This course has a specific theme that changes by semester. Themes for "Academic Support" are the following: Communication and Interpersonal Relationships, Reading and Writing Comprehension, Money & Time Management, Transition to Employment, Community Engagement. |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | Between 25% of the time and half the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Bear POWER Certificate |
| Is the credential IHE-approved? | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 25% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
|
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: | All clubs, social/extracurricular activities, and organizations are open to Bear POWER students joining. |