1 University Drive
Killian 120
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Program Contact | Kelly Kelley |
Program Contact Email | wcuupprogram@gmail.com |
Phone | 828-227-3297 |
Website | Program website |
link to program Facebook page |
The WCU UP Program provides an inclusive, two-year, on-campus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to facilitate UP students' transition from secondary school to adult life with education, employment, and independent living. The UP program currently can enroll up to 12 students at a time.
UP students live in on-campus dormitories distributed throughout university residence halls under the same university policies that apply to all WCU students. On-campus life is fully integrated and inclusive. There are no separate facilities, settings, or classes for UP students.
WCU undergraduate students are recruited to provide paid and unpaid support to facilitate UP Students living on campus, attending classes, engaging in social and recreational activities, becoming involved in student organizations, and developing friendships.
The UP Program started as a pilot program in 2007 then was partially funded as one of the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) through the Office of Postsecondary Education and continues to serve as a model demonstration program for North Carolina. The WCU UP Program is also the first accredited inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) program in the country by the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council as of May 2023.
Program information submitted: January 12, 2024
General | |
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Public or private: | Public |
Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
Number of students: | 11 |
Requirements | |
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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: | December 1 |
Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
Criteria for admission |
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Accepts out-of-state students? | Yes |
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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Planned program length |
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Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
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Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 18.00% |
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 100.00% |
Cost | |
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Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $2404.00 |
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: | $4352.00 |
Room and board: | $3868.00 |
Program fees: | $5000.00 |
Additional costs: |
$5,000.00 Meal Plans are typically $2,247 per semester. |
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: |
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Scholarships available: | We have the NC Promise for all WCU students which lowers tuition costs for ALL in and out of state students. See https://www.wcu.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/costs-and-aid/ncpromi.... We also have a UNC System Scholarship opportunity in our state for students that qualify based on estimated cost of attendance and federal estimated cost calculations. |
Academic | |
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Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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More about course access: | UP students have access and take their courses based on the university course catalog and their future career goals/interests. |
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | |
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? | Yes |
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | UP Certificate of Accomplishment |
Is the credential approved by the college/university? | 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? | Degree Plus, Certificate courses through Ed2Go |
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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Employment | |
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Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 100% |
Other career development activities are: |
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Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 100% |
Additional information about career development and work experience: | Pathful Explore lessons, modules, and assessments |
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
Housing | |
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Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
Housing options available: |
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Extracurricular | |
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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 |
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Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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