College Search

Life and Career Studies

Life and Career Studies
Lakeland University
Life and Career Studies
W3718 South Dr.
Plymouth, WI 53073
icon name
Program Contact Kate Dvorak
Program Contact Email lifecareerstudies@lakeland.edu
Phone 920-565-1000
Website Program website

Based at Lakeland’s Main Campus in rural Sheboygan County, Life and Career Studies is an inclusive and engaging, full-time residential program for students with intellectual disabilities. It feature a four-year, personalized curriculum designed to promote academic, social, personal and professional growth. It fosters self-determination and provide a gateway to meaningful employment and independent and community living. LCS students take inclusive coursework towards an academic certificate, participate in cooperative education experiences to gain employment skills, and receive instruction through personal development, independent living, and community living and engagement courses.

Program information submitted: January 16, 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: 4
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
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
Planned program length 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 100.00%
Notes on acceptance and attendance: Fall 2023 was our first year, we have 100% retention from fall to spring semester.
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $18386.00
Room and board: $11522.00
Additional costs: Room and Board are based on a double occupancy and 19-meal "all access plan". Lakeland encourages fully inclusive housing, pairing LCS students up with a traditional undergraduate peer as their roommate. Students who may require more day-to-day support may opt for a live-in peer coach as their roommate at an additional expense.
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? Pending (we have applied to become a CTP but have not yet been approved)
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
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
  • Typical college courses for audit
More about course access: Students work towards an academic certificate in an area of study of their interest and possibly aligned with future employment goals. Students are required to complete at least 24 credits of inclusive course work during their 4 years, though they may complete more. This includes at least 2 "general education" courses required by Lakeland and at least 4 courses in their Academic Certificate area. Students will also complete inclusive coursework through our Cooperative Education opportunities learning employment skills and receiving hands-on experiences. Life and Career Studies students are enrolled in the equivalent of at least 12 credits every semester.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: Life and Career Studies students receive instruction on personal development, life skills, independent living skills, and community living and engagement. A variety of topics are offered through these courses, and students are able to individualize their instruction through choice of topics. Students will complete ~48 credits of these "LAK" courses during their 4 years.
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: Academic Certificate in [educational area student choose to study] (Education, Business, etc.)
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? Cooperative Education Certificate
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: 0%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Additional information about career development and work experience: Lakeland is the only school in the Midwest offering students an opportunity to earn a full year of academic credit for their work experience. At Lakeland, our students immediately build on the learning that happens in our classrooms. We know students learn best through hands-on experiences and the opportunity to reflect. We think students bring more to the classroom when they have real-world experiences to draw upon. The same is true for students in the Life and Career Studies program. Visit: https://lakeland.edu/coop
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
Extracurricular
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