906 East 1st St.
P.O. Box 2091
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Program Contact | Mary Breaud |
Program Contact Email | bridge@nicholls.edu |
Phone | 985-448-4341 |
Website | Program website |
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 | |
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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 | |
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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 |
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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Planned program length |
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Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
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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 | |
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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: |
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Scholarships available: |
There is a Bridge Scholarship available to those who meet the requirements. |
Academic | |
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Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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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: |
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Employment | |
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Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 5% |
Other career development activities are: |
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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 | |
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Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
Housing options available: |
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Extracurricular | |
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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 |
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Students participate in these campus-wide events: | College/University's Graduation |