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Think Cardinal

Think Cardinal
Saginaw Valley State University
Think Cardinal
7400 Bay Rd.
University Center, MI 48710
Program Contact Shawn Wilson
Program Contact Email access@svsu.edu
Phone 989-964-7147
Website Program website

Think Cardinal is an inclusive program that is intended to provide higher education experiences for people with intellectual disabilities. At SVSU, the Think Cardinal program lists the major as “Exploring the University” and its transcript group is audit (AU). Think Cardinal students can receive a Certificate of Completion after amassing 30 credits. These credits come from the academic courses they take, their participation in co-curricular activities, and 2 internships. By participating in each of these three areas, the students may acquire a holistic understanding of what it means to be a college student. Students interested in enrolling need to have a higher level of independence. Conditions for participation in the Think Cardinal program include regular attendance in class, completion of assignments, regular attendance at the student’s internship, and engaging in co-curricular activities. In doing so, the students earn a Certificate of Completion and the opportunity to walk at Commencement.

Program information submitted: January 30, 2023

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Students in this program: Have graduated or exited from high school
Number of students: 2
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: July 1 prior to the start of the student's first year.
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 18-26
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Program length: 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Notes on acceptance and attendance:

The program was not in session during the 21-22 academic year due to COVID restrictions.

Cost
Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? No
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Grant Funding
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
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? No
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
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? No
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
  • 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