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Bridge to Independence

Bridge to Independence
Nicholls State University
Bridge to Independence
906 East 1st St.
P.O. Box 2091
Thibodaux, LA 70310
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Program Contact Mary Breaud
Program Contact Email bridge@nicholls.edu
Phone 985-448-4341
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

Bridge to Independence at Nicholls State University has 2 program offerings, Certificate (non-degree) and Degree. The Certificate Pathway a 2-year program for students identified with an Intellectual Disability. Students within the program audit regular Nicholls classes and participate in all aspects of campus life. Students also attend weekly social skills and independent living skills seminars. Students complete internship hours each semester to build job-readiness skills. Students might be eligible to receive Pell Grant or LRS funding to assist with tuition and fees. Degree Pathway is for students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder or similar diagnoses who meet admissions requirements for Nicholls. Student in this program are eligible to work part or full-time toward their chosen degree major. These students also attend a weekly social skills course. Students attend 4-7 sessions per week within the Bridge room to receive assistance from Academic Mentors. Bridge staff provides monitoring and assistance with academic, behavioral, and social performance. Preferential dorm placements are offered. Nicholls Named Top Small College for Students with Autism, Thibodaux, LA. -- Nicholls State University has been named one of the 30 best small colleges for students with autism spectrum disorder by Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. To qualify, schools must have enrollments below 10,000 and a program specific to the needs of students on the autism spectrum. Schools must also exhibit friendliness toward those students and provide financial support. What separates Nicholls from other small colleges is the Bridge to Independence Program. Housed in the College of Education and Behavioral Analysis, the program assists students with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder with academic, job and social skills. Nicholls’ program is one of over 50 programs in the United States certified by the U.S. Department of Education and the first in Louisiana. America’s Top 50 Colleges For Students With Disabilities: Disabled Students Thrive In These Colleges! Great Value Colleges (2019)

Program information submitted: January 10, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 68
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: November 1st each year for the following Fall (Certificate), No deadline for Degree
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 18-28
  • The student is not under guardianship
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length
  • 2 years
  • 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 100.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $8000.00
Room and board: $8000.00
Program fees: $2055.00
Additional costs:

Books and meal plans, as needed.

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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • TOPS Scholarships

Scholarships available:

There is a Bridge Scholarship available to those who meet the requirements.

Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for credit
  • Typical college courses for audit
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 100%
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: Bridge to Independence Certificate of Program Completion
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?

Serv Safe Certificate

Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Mental health/counseling services
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 5%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 50%
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:
  • Inclusive on campus
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events: College/University's Graduation