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Next Steps at Vanderbilt University

Next Steps at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Next Steps at Vanderbilt University
230 Appleton Place
PMB 552
Nashville, TN 37203
icon name
Program Contact Arian Amaya
Program Contact Email nextsteps@vanderbilt.edu
Phone 615-398-0794
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

A 4-year inclusive higher education program committed to providing neurodiverse students an inclusive, transformational postsecondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living, while honoring equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors.

Program information submitted: January 10, 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: 31
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: Early Consideration: November 1st; Regular Consideration: January 15th
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
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: 21.60%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 87.50%
Notes on acceptance and attendance:

Out of 8 Students accepted for Fall 2023, 5 accepted their acceptance.

Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $25696.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $25696.00
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)
  • Tuition Waivers
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships available:

More information on forms of aid can be found by going to https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/nextsteps/admissions/ and scrolling down to the section labeled "How Do We Pay for Next Steps?"

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:

Each program of study includes students auditing up to two Vanderbilt University courses per semester as determined by students' individualized needs in connection to their academic and career goals and person-centered planning. Students are held accountable and supported in their learning objectives through individual learning agreements. These learning agreements detail the assignments, academic supports needed, and expectations based on the student. Learning goals are based on key concepts that are critical to each respective class as noted in the course syllabus and on goals identified for each student in the Next Steps program. There are over 300 different VU courses students can choose from at the beginning of each semester.

Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes:

During the first-year and sophomore years, the students enroll in three weekly, foundational Next Steps' Career and Community Studies (CCS) courses that focus on skill development that is essential for living an independent life. Juniors and seniors self-select the topic of their CCS semester-long seminars. Under the supervision of their advisors and with the support of individual tutors, students co-create and complete experiential learning objectives that are designed to build mastery on such topics as civic engagement, requesting accommodations in the workplace, using public transportation and more.

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 of Completion
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?

Early Childhood Educator Certificate of Completion through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Self-Advocacy in Leadership Credential

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
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 46%
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: 93%
Additional information about career development and work experience:

Next Steps at Vanderbilt prepares students to develop the skills, experiences, and self-advocacy necessary for paid employment upon graduation. The program designs experiences around the National Association of Colleges and Employer’s Career Readiness standards. These include skills such as: problem solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, technology use, professionalism, self-development, and equity and inclusion.

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: 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
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation