Integrated Studies Program

Misericordia University offers an inclusive, post-secondary certificate program designed specifically for students with moderate Autism, with or without co-morbid disorders, and Intellectual Disabilities. The Integrated Studies Program is a full-time, college-based, 2-year program designed for students between the ages of 18–26 and gives prospective students access to a full-time inclusive and supported program of study. STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND OUTCOMES: Students will participate in college courses and experiences that will allow them to work towards living an independent life. The program will provide meaningful courses and seminars that will support their transition, education, and social skills development. A choice of several pathways will be made available for the students to select including liberal arts, early childhood education, and vocational/employment opportunity exploration. The program aims to prepare each student for gainful employment. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: The program will require 40–60 credit hours that are a mixture of inclusive courses, including the first-year experience, audited courses, as well as internship and job shadowing opportunities. Additional seminars will be provided to support college life and socialization. Students are enrolled as full-time, non-degree-seeking students, with all the rights and responsibilities of a degree-seeking student. Students in the program have access to institutional facilities, consistent with other students, which supports the achievement of their goals. This program is designed to provide excellent opportunities in education, career development, and social participation within an inclusive academic setting. The Comprehensive Post Secondary Transition (CTP) program is approved by the Department of Education. The program is based on Think College standards and created with support from the PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium and other successful programs. All students will take courses on campus. Students will have the opportunity to audit courses in an inclusive environment with other MU students. An academic policy will be created by the post-secondary certificate program and will confer with the faculty of such courses to work in collaboration with course instructors/chairs to modify the course syllabi and assignments so that no additional burden is placed on the faculty. Satisfactory academic progress will be determined by the professor in accordance with Misericordia policy. Students seeking this path will need to fill out an admissions application once enrolled in the Misericordia Integrated Studies program.