901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
| Program Contact | Dr. April Phillips |
| Program Contact Email | bearpower@missouristate.edu |
| Phone | 417-836-5282 |
| Website | Program website |
| link to program Facebook page |
Missouri State Bear POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Work, Education and Resilience) is an inclusive college program for students with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. Bear POWER is a two-and-a-half-year (five semesters) residential program that provides the opportunity for students to continue their education beyond high school. All students choose an area of concentration that they wish to study and will attend inclusive classes alongside their peers. Students can audit their courses as noncredit or take them for credit – this flexible program allows options for students and supports are individualized based on student-specific needs. Supports beyond MSU campus resources include Bear POWER staff, graduate assistants, and Ambassadors. 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: January 18, 2023
| 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 |
| Number of students: | 10 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular high school diploma required? | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | June 1 |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
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| Accepts out-of-state students? | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length: | 3 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 63.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 80.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $3204.00 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year: | $6864.00 |
| Room and board: | $10376.00 |
| Program fees: | $8070.00 |
| 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: |
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| Scholarships available: |
Arc of the Ozarks has a scholarship just for our students. View other scholarships that are available to students not given by MSU Community Foundation of the Ozarks awards 2 scholarships for those with disabilities, students from part of the state are eligible. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: |
Students are allowed to take almost any course from the catalog. Some prerequisites can be waived to allow students to get the content they need for employment. They are required to take at least 6 hours for credit or audit. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
Academic Support and Internship Seminar are equivalent to a 3 hr credit course. Semester #1 Reading and Writing Comprehension Semester #2 Money & Time Management Semester #3 Communication and Interpersonal Relationship Semester #4 Transition to Employment Semester #5 Community Engagement |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | 75-99% |
| Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? | Yes |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Bear POWER certificate |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university? | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 56% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 80% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: |
Students start internships their 2nd semester with at least 5 hours per week. We increase work hours 5 hours each semester (if appropriate) so that upon their final semester, they are working 20 hours per week. We strive to get paid internships if it's not from the company/department, we utilize 3rd party grants (MO Career Center for example). |
| 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: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 100% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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