Undergraduate Certificate in KU Transition to Postsecondary Education
Program Overview
The KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) program is a 2-year non-degree program designed for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides inclusive academics, career development, and student life activities, allowing students to take credit-bearing KU courses with accommodations and participate in KU clubs and organizations. The program aims to develop students' skills in academic learning, career development, self-determination, and adult roles, preparing them for integrated employment upon completion.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Undergraduate Certificate in KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) is a 2-year non-degree seeking program designed to help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/D) participate in postsecondary education at the University of Kansas.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Provide fully inclusive academics, career development, and student life activities.
- Allow students to take credit-bearing KU courses with needed accommodations and adaptations.
- Enable participation in KU student clubs, organizations, and activities.
- Offer the option of living in KU Housing.
- Assist in developing a career path, including internships each semester.
Program Description:
The program is structured over 4 semesters. Students will be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester.
Careers:
The program aims to help students gain skills and experiences in:
- Academic and adult learning
- Career development and employment
- Self-determination
- Adult roles and responsibilities Students are encouraged to pursue integrated employment upon completion of the KU-TPE program.
Other:
- Students classified as non-degree undergraduates.
- Students will take 4 required courses and a minimum of 4 elective courses.
- Required courses include:
- UNIV 101
- EPSY 310
- A Health & Wellness course
- A Communications course
- A career internship course each semester aligned with student interest and identified career pathway
- Elective courses: Specific KU coursework identified for enrollment that aligns with student interest and identified career interests.
- Students will participate in career development (C&T 175) for one semester and work-based learning internships (C&T 220) for three semesters.
- Internships are supervised by KU TPE staff and take place on the KU Lawrence campus or within the Lawrence community.
Entry Requirements:
To be considered for admission students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A documented intellectual disability - this can be determined by:
- IEP
- Physician's documentation
- Social Security Administration documentation
- Psychological evaluation summary
- Vocational Rehabilitation documentation
- Physician's documentation
- Student with significant support needs in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior
- Aged 18-25 years old
- Demonstrate skills in navigating community and school environments with a willingness to learn new modes of transportation
- Demonstrated level of unsupervised independence (2-4 hours) using appropriate supports with potential to increase independence over time
- Desire to gain skills and experiences in:
- Academic and adult learning
- Career development and employment
- Self-determination
- Adult roles and responsibilities
- Established competence and responsibility for medications and self-care
- Past experience with work-based learning (e.g., in-school, volunteering, and/or paid employment)
- Desire for obtaining integrated employment upon completion of the KU-TPE program
