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Life and Career Studies

Life and Career Studies
Calvin University
Life and Career Studies
3201 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
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Program Contact Michelle Terrill
Program Contact Email michelle.terrill@calvin.edu
Phone (616) 526-6215
Website Program website

Explore the Life & Career Studies Program at Calvin University—a unique 4-year inclusive college experience for students with intellectual disabilities. Immerse yourself in our vibrant mid-size Christian liberal arts university.

Key Features:

4-year inclusive college program
Designed for students with intellectual disabilities
Reside in university residence halls
Engage in college-level courses of your choice
Develop practical job skills through internships and employment opportunities.
Focus on enhancing independent living skills

Join us at the Life & Career Studies Program, where every student is encouraged to thrive, learn, and embrace opportunities for a successful future!

Program information submitted: January 24, 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: 20
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 15
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 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 50.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 50.00%
Notes on acceptance and attendance: Retention late is typically around 83%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $19185.00
Room and board: $11950.00
Program fees: $0.00
Additional costs: $0.00
Wellness fees, $20 course fee for specialized courses.
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
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
Scholarships available: The Senator Grant Lanning scholarship is offered annually to one incoming student, with the chance for yearly renewal contingent on funding availability. Eligibility for this scholarship is determined by financial need, and students must maintain good standing to qualify for renewal.
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
More about course access: Students register based on accumulated credits. They can choose from any course in Calvin's liberal arts core and a variety of pre-approved elective courses.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: Students enroll in specialized courses covering personal finance, relationships, employment, and independent living.
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: 92-credit Comprehensive Postsecondary Education certificate
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
  • Academic tutoring 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: 67%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 75%
Additional information about career development and work experience: Students receive ongoing job coaching from a dedicated employment specialist. Calvin Lifework is offered every Fall to help students explore and discover the difference between a job and a career.
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
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
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation