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Destination Dawgs: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at UGA

Destination Dawgs: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at UGA
University of Georgia
Destination Dawgs: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at UGA
850 College Station Rd
Institute on Human Development and Disability
Athens, GA 30605
icon name
Program Contact Alexis Szelwach and Kristina Britton
Program Contact Email DestinationDawgs@uga.edu
Phone 706-410-7265
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

Reflecting our tagline “Life is a journey. Be prepared for the trip”, our program’s goal is for Destination Dawgs graduates to have gained new knowledge, skills, and competencies which lead to a rewarding adult life. This includes attaining a desired job, having an increased ability to live independently, and building relationships that expand their social networks.This non-degree Certificate program will support students with intellectual disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood an opportunity to prepare for a career and independent living over the course of 4 semesters. Students will participate in UGA courses, gain valuable job skills, and build a social network based on individualized plans supported by peer mentors. Applications are due in October each year. Interested students must participate in a mid- July Summer Leadership Program from as a pre-requisite to applying to the program. Students must be over 18 years old, have a documented disability, and have a desire to gain skills for self-determination, independent living, and career development at the University of Georgia. Students who are under partial or limited guardianship will be considered.

Program information submitted: January 30, 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: 8
Summer program name Destination Dawgs Summer Leadership Institute
Description of our summer transition program:

The Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) serves as a pre-requisite to formal application and possible admission into the Destination Dawgs program for the following academic year. This is a required part of the application process. Interested students and their familiies must complete an application to the SLI to participate in this multi-day experiential learning opportunity. The SLI provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the program and practice the leadership skills needed to suceed int he program. Destination Dawgs appreciates a collaboration with the JW Fanning Institute for Leadership Development to facilitate this opportunity.

Summer program link: Destination Dawgs Summer Leadership Institute
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: December of the year before admission
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18-25
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Program length: 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 42.00%
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: $9040.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $18560.00
Room and board: $0.00
Program fees: $3000.00
Additional costs:

Costs are subject to change as they are based off of UGA's costs and fees.

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
  • Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships available:

Ruby's Rainbow NDSC Scholarship

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
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: Certificate in College and Career Readiness from the UGA Center on Continuing Education
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?

SERV Safe, 3D Printing, Mandated Reporter, etc

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
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 36%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
Additional information about career development and work experience:

UGA Mentorship Program, Professionalism Certificate, UGA Career Center Modules

Housing
Housing is provided to students: No
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
  • Study abroad
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation