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University of Tennessee FUTURE Program

University of Tennessee FUTURE Program
University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee FUTURE Program
1122 Volunteer Blvd.
Bailey Education Complex A401
Knoxville, TN 37996
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Program Contact Dr. Emma Burgin
Program Contact Email futureut@utk.edu
Phone 865-974-8493
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

The FUTURE Postsecondary Education Program is a two- to four-year course of study that empowers students to achieve gainful employment in the community.

FUTURE is a comprehensive program that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make a successful transition from high school to adult life. During the program, we provide students with specially designed FUTURE classes, the opportunity to audit undergraduate courses, and an internship on or off campus. Also available is career and clinical counseling to help develop academic, vocational, social, and decision-making skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a vocational certificate.

Program information submitted: January 24, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 34
Affiliates
School district or agency partner: Knox County, Anderson County, Blount County, and Sevier County School Districts, others
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Some 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: February 1 (as of 2025)
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18-29
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length
  • 2 years
  • 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 30.00%
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: $10500.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $30000.00
Room and board: $8000.00
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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Local School District funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • 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 audit
More about course access: FUTURE students have access to the course catalog; they are restricted only by major and prerequisites.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: Digital Literacy, Career and Life Planning, Life Skills
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: Vocational 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
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 25%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
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
  • Inclusive off campus
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Graduation