Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS)
The Ohio State University
Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings (TOPS)
1581 Dodd Drive
257 McCampbell Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
1581 Dodd Drive
257 McCampbell Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Vino Viswanathan |
| vinotheni.viswanathan@osumc.edu | |
| Phone | 614-685-3185 |
| Website | Program website |
TOPS is a two- or four-year postsecondary program at The Ohio State University for high school graduates with intellectual disabilities. The TOPS Program is a 2- and 4-year Workforce Development Certificate program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities that focuses on 4 transition areas:
1. Academics
2. Career Development
3. Independent Living
4. Self-Determination
The TOPS program is not a degree granting program but a catalyst for employment and/or a bridge to degree granting programs. This inclusive program offers students the opportunity to engage in lifelong learning by auditing classes, increase employability skills through the participation in internships, and gain skills in living independently at a near by apartment complex (not required). Students enrolled in the TOPS program can expect to receive both natural (peers), staff and technology supports in all phases of their program.
Program information submitted: February 24, 2022
| 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: | 30 |
| Summer program name | College Orientation and Transition Assessment (COTA) Program |
| Description of our summer transition program: | COTA Program is held over a seven-day period, designed for students who are accepted and attending the TOPS Program OR students who are entering their junior or senior year of high school. The program features: Immersion into life at The Ohio State University in the TOPS Program Opportunity to live in residence halls and experience campus dining areas Recreation and events on campus and in the Columbus area Classes which focus on skills needed to succeed in college Informational interviews, and/or job shadowing All students will receive a Comprehensive Student Assessment Report (STAR). The assessment data will provide baseline information regarding the student’s knowledge, skills and current levels of performance across the four transition areas. |
| Summer program link: | College Orientation and Transition Assessment (COTA) Program |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular H.S. diploma required? | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | November 1st |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length |
|
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 90.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 100.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $2106.94 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year | $5953.98 |
| Annual room and board: | $10000.00 |
| Annual program fees: | $5511.20 |
| Additional costs: |
$0.00 Books, supplies, events |
| 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: |
|
| Scholarships available: | Donations made towards TOPS program are awarded to qualifying students on merit basis. |
| 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: | Students in TOPS have accessed over 150 inclusive course titles to date, with more added each semester. |
| Did ALL students in your program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course either for credit or audit? | Yes |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | Yes |
| Students take STEM-related courses? | Yes |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities) | 75-99% |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
|
| Briefly describe remote learning at your program | Students take course via remote learning only if that is the only option available for the course of interest |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Workforce Development Certificate - TOPS 2 or 4 Year |
| Is the credential IHE-approved? | 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? | Students have earned CPR/First Aid and ServSafe Food Handlers |
| Do students earn STEM-related certificates? | No |
| Students participate in these campus-wide events |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 25% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 80% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience | Students receive career development the entirety of the program. They begin work experiences in the second semester for the remainder of their time at Ohio State. |
| 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: |
|
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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