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Career and Community Studies (CCS)

Career and Community Studies (CCS)
Kent State University
Career and Community Studies (CCS)
150 Terrace Drive
218 White Hall
Kent, OH 44242
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Program Contact Dr. Vonnie Michali
Program Contact Email yhale@kent.edu
Phone 330-672-1686
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

Career and Community Studies is a 2- or 4-year, non-degree college experience designed to prepare students (ages 18 and older) with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism for adult life. Throughout this transformative journey, students will learn and practice social skills and independent living skills, exploring, identifying and preparing for a career aligned with their strengths and interests. The program places a particular emphasis on addressing the challenges they may encounter, fostering a holistic approach to personal and professional development. Participants emerge as self-determined individuals who can figure out what they want to do with their lives.

During the program, students discover who they are, prepare for jobs they'll enjoy, and learn how to speak up for themselves while understanding their rights. The curriculum not only imparts vital employment skills but also guides students about the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

Students will engage in a curriculum that seamlessly integrates Career and Community Studies (CCS) with courses from other units, offering diverse opportunities to practice and master the skills crucial for employment. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the option to reside on campus is available, providing a platform to develop home management skills. The goal is for students to become independent individuals who can decide what they want, speak up for themselves, and use resources to succeed in adult life.

Program information submitted: January 22, 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: 32
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: Rolling deadline
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18-26
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • Varies from student to student
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 75.00%
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: $12600.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $22100.00
Room and board: $13000.00
Program fees: $4800.00
Additional costs: The first year a student lives on campus they receive support from an a Student Life Coordinator (SLC). The role of the SLC is to help the student learn the social aspects of being a Kent State student, and to develop independent living skills necessary for adult living. The SLC helps the students join KSU clubs, attend activities and university events, and learn skills such as accessing the public transportation system, setting and working on various independent skills. After the first years, students continue to receive support from the SLC, however it is in a reduced capacity as the student demonstrates independence. There is an additional support fee charged for this support for residential students.
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)
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
Scholarships available: Eligible students may apply for scholarship support through the Kavulic Family Scholarship program (3 students awarded yearly). Junior and senior level students may apply for the Flexer Academic Scholarship program (2 students awarded yearly). The state of Ohio provides eligible students with a Ohio College Opportunity Grant grant awarded yearly.
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): Typical college courses for audit
More about course access: CCS students identify a college class(es) they are interested in. Program personnel contacts the instructor and receives approval for the student to audit the course. The student receives CCS credits that are applied towards completion of the CCS program. A CCS support staff will go with the student to the KSU class to help the student become comfortable and learn the expectations of that environment. The student completes a syllabus contract that identifies how the student wishes to participate in the course. This becomes the modified syllabus. Students receive S or U grades for a KSU course.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: CCS students are provided with specific curriculum to help them develop self-determination, social, personal, independent living, and career/employment goals. Each CCS course builds skills that are advanced in following courses so that students understand that these skills are used in every situation they will find themselves no matter if they are at work, at home, or in the community.
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: KSU Record of Completion
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 15%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Additional information about career development and work experience: Students enrolled in the four-year CCS program go through a systematic process to help them apply personal strengths, interests, and needs towards identifying a career that best matches them. Students in the two-year CCS Employment Readiness program will have various practicum experiences that best develops employment skills while also learning independent living, social, and self-determination skills. Students enrolled in the 2-year CCS College Preparation program have opportunities to determine a career interest while learning the rigors and skill development necessary to enroll in a degree program.
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
  • Inclusive off campus
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
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation