1122 Volunteer Blvd.
431 Claxton Complex
Knoxville, TN 37996-3452
| Program Contact | Emma Burgin |
| eburgin@vols.utk.edu | |
| Phone | 865.974.9176 |
| Website | http://futureut.utk.edu |
The University of Tennessee’s FUTURE Program is a two-year vocational certificate program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) including autism and is designated as a Comprehensive Transition Program by the U.S. Department of Education. FUTURE students develop skills which enable them to be more productive and valuable community members.
Essential components of FUTURE include: classes focusing on career exploration/workplace skills, digital literacy, and life skills; structured internships; modfications and supports to ensure student success in classes offered in a wide range of university programs and departments; and the opportunity to participate in campus activities and events. FUTURE is an inclusion program with fellow undergraduate students supporting our students to be fully integrated into campus life. Since the program's inception, well over 300 undergraduate students from more than 25 majors have served as peer mentors.
The FUTURE program is committed to the Vision of the University and its value of diversity and inclusion. The program provides training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students: graduate assistants (GAs), peer mentors and FUTURE students develop and refine their leadership and career skills. The program has provides ongoing opportunities for faculty, staff and graduate students to pursue research, furthering our understanding of best practices in the I/DD field.
| 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: | 15 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | Knox County, Anderson County, Blount County, and Sevier County School Districts |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to apply to this program: | March 1 |
| Requirements for admission to this program: |
|
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | Varies from student to student |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
Classes focus on career exploration/workplace skills, digital literacy, and life skills. |
| Time spent only with other students in this program: | Between 25% of the time and half the time |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 20% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 85% |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | No |
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
Students have full access to campus clubs and organizations. |