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College and Post-Secondary Education

Local Colleges/Universities with Programs for Learners with Developmental Disabilities

Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI)

Out of State Colleges/Universities with Programs for Learners with Development Disabilities

Resources for Students Attending College

Anchor 1

Boston University - Strategic Education Services (SES)

Bridgewater State University - Extraordinary Exceptions Career-Education-Life (EXCEL) Program

  • BSU partners with local school districts to support students interested in having a college experience and meet the admission requirements, including enrollment in a BSU-partnered school district

  • Students are able to take BSU classes without prerequisites for audit and are assigned an education coach who attends classes with their assigned students. Students will also receive career guidance and have the opportunity to participate in social activities on the BSU campus

  • Applications become available in October and are due in December

  • Program website: https://www.bridgew.edu/academics/EXCEL-program

Curry College - Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL)

  • A program designed for college-ready students with language-based learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, and ADHD

  • Support through PAL

    • Individual support from a PAL faculty member

    • Technology supports

    • Summer at PAL - 4-credit immersive summer program

    • Guidance for PAL parents

  • Program website: https://www.curry.edu/academics/program-for-advancement-of-learning

Dean College - Arch Learning Community

Dynamy - Gap Year Experience

  • A domestic, gap-year program designed for students ages 17-22 focused on providing students with hands-on work experience, opportunities to explore career interests, and build necessary life skills

  • This program offers three (3) college credit seminar courses through Clark University's Office of Professional and Continuing Education in Worcester, MA

  • Program website: https://dynamy.org/

Landmark College - located in Putney, Vermont

  • A college designed exclusively for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges

  • Provides a comprehensive support system that is integrated into the curriculum for all students

  • Advising is individualized to meet each student's needs

  • Tuition may qualify for a medical tax deduction

  • College website: https://www.landmark.edu/

Westfield State University - Learning Disabilities Program

  • Comprehensive, individualized support for students with a learning disability or ADHD

  • Supports include: weekly 1:1 meetings with an advisor focused on learning how to study, organize their time, utilize resources on campus, advise on course schedules; individual peer tutoring; early course registration

  • There is no additional cost to students

  • Program website: https://www.westfield.ma.edu/academics/academic-support/learning-disabilities-program

Local Colleges/Universities with Programs for Leaners with Developmental Disabilities

Anchor 2

Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI)

  • A partnership between local school districts and two- and four-year public colleges and universities in Massachusetts, providing young adults with developmental disabilities with the opportunity to have a college experience alongside their peers

  • Eligible students: age 18-22 who have not passed MCAS and receive special education services through an IEP; OR students ages 20-21 who passed the MCAS but are still eligible for special education through their IEP

  • Participating students are enrolled in college while receiving special education supports through their school district

  • Read more about the program here: https://www.mass.edu/strategic/maicei.asp

 

Participating Colleges/Universities (as of 8/2022)

 

Bunker Hill Community College

Bridgewater State University

Bristol Community College

Framingham State University

Holyoke Community College

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

MassBay Community College

Middlesex Community College

Northern Essex Community College

University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Massachusetts Boston

Salem State University

Massasoit Community College

Westfield State University

Anchor 3

Out of State Colleges/Universities with Programs for Learners with Developmental Disabilities

  • Appalachian State University, North Carolina - Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program

  • Beacon College, Florida

  • Bellevue College, Washington - Neurodiversity Navigators Program

  • Bridgewater College - Bridgewater Academic and Social Experience (BASE)

  • Drexel University, Pennsylvania - Autism Support Program

  • Eastern Illinois University - Autism Transitional Education Program (STEP)

  • Eastern Michigan University - Supports Program

  • Edinboro University, Pennsylvania - Boro Autism Support Initiative for Success (BASIS) Program

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey - COMPASS Program

  • George Mason University, Virginia - Autism Support Initiative

  • Grand Valley State University, Michigan - Autism Education Center and Statewide Autism Resources and Training Program (START)

  • Kent State University, Ohio - Partnering for Achievement and Learning Success (PALS)

  • Marshall University, West Virginia - Autism Training Program

  • Mercyhurst University, Pennsylvania - Autism Initiative Program

  • Nova Southeastern University - Access Plus Program

  • Rutgers University - College Support Program (CAS) and Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS)

  • Saint Joseph's University, Pennsylvania - The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support

  • Syracuse University, New York - Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Learning

  • University of Alabama - ASD College Transition and Support (UA-ACTS) Program

  • University of Connecticut - Beyond Access Program

  • University of Idaho - Ravens Scholar Program

  • University of Montana - Mentoring, Organization, and Social Support for Autism Inclusion on Campus (MOSSAIC) Program

  • University of West Florida - Argos for Autism Program

  • Western Kentucky University - Kelly Autism Program

  • Western Michigan University - Autism Services Center

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Think College Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston College Search: an online college search directory featuring over 300 colleges and universities that offer post-secondary education programs for students with intellectual disability: https://thinkcollege.net/college-search

Top College Consultants Directory of Autism & Learning Support Programs in College: Special Needs in College | Free Resources | College Consultants (topcollegeconsultants.com)

Anchor 4

Resources & Supports for Students Attending College Programs

Easterseals College Navigator

Focus Collegiate

  • Comprehensive in-person and virtual support for college students

  • Focused on supporting students in academic independence, decision-making skills, social skills, and personal/life skills

  • They also offer Summer Cohort program to support students before they start college by building college readiness and life skills. 

  • Program website: https://www.focuscollegiate.com/

Mansfield Hall - located in Burlington, Vermont

  • A living and learning community that provides residential, academic, executive functioning, social, and independent living skill support for students attending college. 

  • It is not a college but rather a "Super Dorm" that focuses on helping students be successful as they attend a local program, such as University of Vermont (UVM), St. Michael's College, Champlain College, and Community College of Vermont - all located in Burlington, VT. 

  • Program website: https://mansfieldhall.org/

Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA) Pre- and College Coaching

Anchor 3

Additional Resources

To Read More about College Planning:

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