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
| Program Contact | Jessie Green |
| transitions@osumc.edu | |
| Phone | 614-685-3185 |
| Website | http://nisonger.osu.edu/adult/adult-clinics-services/tops/ |
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: March 12, 2021
| 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: | 21 |
| Summer program name | College Orientation and Transition Assessment |
| Description of our summer transition program: | The COTA Program is held over a six-day period. It is designed for students who are accepted and attending the TOPS Program for Fall admission 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 • For incoming TOPS students, internship preperation 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 |
| 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: | Feb 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: | Varies from student to student |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 92.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 67.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $3577.60 |
| Average out-of-state tuition, current year | $21927.60 |
| Room and board: | $8075.98 |
| Program fees: | $11022.00 |
| Additional costs: | |
| 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: |
|
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Typical college courses for audit |
| More about course access: | Students are enrolled at Ohio State as non-degree students. They typically audit 4 credit hours of coursework each semester. |
| 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 |
| Information on special classes: | Students in their 1st or 2nd year of the program take a cohort specific student learning community (SLC). SLC's are focused on career exploration, job readiness and independent living focused. Students in their 3rd and 4th years take an independent study in which they choose topics to focus on related to the previously mentioned content areas or others of their choosing. |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | Between 25% of the time and half the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Workforce Development Certificate - 2 Year TOPS or 4 Year TOPS |
| Is the credential IHE-approved? | Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 91% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 25% |
| 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: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |