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IDEAL - Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb

IDEAL - Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb
Lipscomb University
IDEAL - Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb
1 University Park Drive
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN 37204
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Program Contact Halle King
Program Contact Email ideal@lipscomb.edu
Phone 615-966-5098
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The IDEAL program at Lipscomb is an inclusive postsecondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities between the ages of 18-26. The focus of our program is on employment and independent living skills with the goal of paid, meaningful employment when students graduate. Our program of study includes audited university classes, internships, IDEAL classes focused on employment and independent living skills, and peer mentoring. Our students also have the option to live in the dorms on campus. Students graduate after 2 years with a certificate of Career Exploration Studies. Graduating students will have the option to apply for the IDEAL Advanced Program, which is an additional 3rd and 4th year. The Advanced program focuses on further application of skills learned in the first 2 years of the program.

Program information submitted: January 29, 2024

General
Public or private: Private
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 22
Summer program name IDEAL Summer Academy
Description of our summer transition program: IDEAL Summer Academy is a week-long residential experience from June 2-6, 2024. It is for students with intellectual disabilities who are rising seniors in high school to age 25, who are interested in learning about college and exploring whether post-secondary education is right for them. Summer Academy Applications will open on February 1 and will close on April 1. While you may still apply after this date, you may not be considered for acceptance. Go to our website to see more information about Summer Academy and the IDEAL Program.
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 15th
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
  • 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 25.00%
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: $17600.00
Room and board: $14000.00
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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Grant Funding
Scholarships available: There is an IDEAL student scholarship that students can apply for each year. This scholarship is financial need based.
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
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: IDEAL students take program specific courses each semester (2 per semester). These courses focus on Independent Living Skills and Employment Skills.
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 50-74%
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 of Career Exploration Studies
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
  • Health services
  • Mental health/counseling services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 10%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 70%
Additional information about career development and work experience: In the 1st year of the program, students have on campus internship rotations focused on career exploration and development of foundational employment skills. Students complete a total of 4 on campus internships. Students have off campus internships in the 2nd year of the program focused on connecting students with their career interest. Students in the Advanced Program have paid work experiences.
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): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation