Program Overview

Career and Community Studies - Non-Degree

Overview

The Career and Community Studies program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a variety of career paths, from social work to community development. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world experience, students gain practical skills that can be applied in their daily life and career.

Contact Information

• Vonnie Michali | |
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus

Admission Requirements

• The program is limited to 10-12 students each fall.
• Students participating in the program experience intellectual and developmental disabilities that may affect some intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
• Other qualifications include documentation of past successful work, academic, leadership, and community participation.
• Also required for admission are a completed application, reference letters, and an in-person interview with the CCS admission committee.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • CCS 00010 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I | 3
  • CCS 00015 | SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS | 3
  • CCS 00020 | APPLYING TECHNOLOGY | 1
  • CCS 00025 | MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE | 1
  • CCS 00035 | SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3
  • CCS 00105 | INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION | 1
  • CCS 00110 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS II | 3
  • CCS 00115 | SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION | 3
  • CCS 00120 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN | 1
  • CCS 00135 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS | 3
  • CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 6
  • CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3
  • CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3
  • CCS 00220 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE | 1
  • CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3
  • CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 6
  • CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 6
  • CCS 00306 | EMPLOYMENT READINESS I | 3
  • CCS 00307 | EMPLOYMENT READINESS II | 3
  • CCS 00320 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: JUNIOR | 1
  • CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3
  • CCS 00345 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR | 6
  • CCS 00392 | WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR | 8
  • CCS 00410 | EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS | 3
  • CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1
  • CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 2
  • CCS 00492 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR | 8
  • CCS 00499 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR | 3
  • Special Topics Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 29
    • CCS 02095 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LECTURE | 1
    • CCS 02195 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LABORATORY |
    • CCS 02295 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY |
    • CCS 03095 | SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR LECTURE |
    • CCS 03195 | SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR LABORATORY |
    • CCS 03295 | SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY |
    • CCS 04095 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR LECTURE |
    • CCS 04195 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR LABORATORY |
    • CCS 04295 | SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY |
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.000
  • Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Semester One
  • CCS 00010 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I | 3
  • CCS 00020 | APPLYING TECHNOLOGY | 1
  • CCS 00025 | MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE | 1
  • CCS 00035 | SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3
  • CCS 00115 | SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION | 3
  • CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3
  • Special Topics Elective | 1
  • Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Two
  • CCS 00015 | SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS | 3
  • CCS 00105 | INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION | 1
  • CCS 00110 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS II | 3
  • CCS 00120 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN | 1
  • CCS 00135 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS | 3
  • CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3
  • Special Topics Elective | 1
  • Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Three
  • CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3
  • CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3
  • CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 3
  • CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3
  • Special Topics Electives | 3
  • Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Four
  • CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3
  • CCS 00220 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE | 1
  • CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 3
  • CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3
  • CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3
  • Special Topics Electives | 3
  • Credit Hours: 16
• Semester Five
  • CCS 00306 | EMPLOYMENT READINESS I | 3
  • CCS 00345 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR | 3
  • CCS 00392 | WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR | 4
  • Special Topics Electives | 6
  • Credit Hours: 16
• Semester Six
  • CCS 00307 | EMPLOYMENT READINESS II | 3
  • CCS 00320 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: JUNIOR | 1
  • CCS 00345 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR | 3
  • CCS 00392 | WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR | 4
  • Special Topics Electives | 6
  • Credit Hours: 17
• Semester Seven
  • CCS 00410 | EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS | 3
  • CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 1
  • CCS 00492 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR | 4
  • Special Topics Electives | 6
  • Credit Hours: 14
• Semester Eight
  • CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1
  • CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 1
  • CCS 00492 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR | 4
  • CCS 00499 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR | 3
  • Special Topics Electives | 3
  • Credit Hours: 12
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Become more self-determined persons who are better prepared for independent living and the achievement of career goals.
2. Gain confidence in critical and independent thinking, and use their own voice and vision in order to be active and informed citizens.
3. Understand basic concepts of the academic disciplines, and apply imagination and creativity as they begin a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical implications of their own actions, and be positive role models who contribute to societal views concerning inclusion, community, and tolerance for diversity.

Full Description

Career and Community Studies is a 4-year, non-degree college experience designed to prepare students (ages 18 and older) with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism for adult life. Throughout this transformative journey, students will learn and practice social skills and independent living skills, exploring, identifying and preparing for a career aligned with their strengths and interests. The program places a particular emphasis on addressing the challenges they may encounter, fostering a holistic approach to personal and professional development. Participants emerge as self-determined individuals who can figure out what they want to do with their lives.

During the program, students discover who they are, prepare for jobs they'll enjoy, and learn how to speak up for themselves while understanding their rights. The curriculum not only imparts vital employment skills but also guides students about the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

Students will engage in a curriculum that seamlessly integrates Career and Community Studies (CCS) with courses from other units, offering diverse opportunities to practice and master the skills crucial for employment. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the option to reside on campus is available, providing a platform to develop home management skills. The goal is for students to become independent individuals who can decide what they want, speak up for themselves, and use resources to succeed in adult life.

Why Kent State University

Career and Community Studies

Learn more about the Career and Community Studies (CCS) program by visiting the CCS webpage!

Career and Community Studies (CCS) Program FAQs

Have questions? Check out our CCS FAQ sheet.

EHHS Student Testimonials

Discover why our Career Community Studies students and mentors love this program!