Mississippi State University
ACCESS
695 Bully Blvd.
Mississippi State , MS 39762
695 Bully Blvd.
Mississippi State , MS 39762
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Jordan Spencer |
| Program Contact Email | access@msstate.edu |
| Program Phone | 662-325-0033 |
| Website | Program website |
| Social Media: | Program Social Media |
The Mississippi State University ACCESS Program is a 4-year, residential, inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program dedicated to ensuring students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) receive a quality education through experiences in academics, career development, and independent living. Students in the ACCESS Program students have the goal of becoming gainfully employed and living as independently as possible in their communities. Established in 2010, ACCESS became the first post-secondary program in the state of Mississippi providing students with intellectual or developmental disabilities the opportunity to fully engage in the college experience. Upon completion of the ACCESS Program, students will graduate with a Mississippi State University Certification of Completion with an Area of Focus.
Program information submitted: Feb 02, 2026
| 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: | 32 |
| Summer program name: | ACCESS Camp Experience (A.C.E) |
| Summer program description: | Our A.C.E. Camp is for students that are interested in inclusive post-secondary education programing and want to experience it for themselves. Students in this camp receive a 3 day experience that allows them the opportunity to live on campus like an A.C.C.E.S.S. student. Staff provide academic, social, independent living, and employment experiences throughout the camp and then provide students and their families feedback on areas of strength and improvement, based on their observations. |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school?: | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| High school diploma required?: | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Admission link: | Program admission |
| Criteria for admission: |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Students in this program have these disabilities: |
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| Planned program length: |
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| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 100% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $22,654.00 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $22,654.00 |
| Room and board cost: | $7,000.00 |
| Other costs: | The tuition noted above includes program tuition plus audited courses students take as part of our program. Program tuition is $20,200/year and the cost of auditing 2 courses per year is $2,454. The other cost associated with the program is for meal plans, which range from $4,200-4,500. |
| 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: | Currently our program does have scholarship money provided by donors. These often are awarded to help fund housing needs and to supplement financial need to pay program tuition. Our program also has a very close working relationship with our vocational rehabilitation department. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| 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: | Our students audit one college course per semester, while the rest of their schedule is made up of program specific courses that focus on socialization, independent living and employment. Students also have internship hours every semester where they are working in an inclusive work environment, meaning they are in campus or community positions working with employees of that specific business. Our freshmen work 3 hours/week, sophomores work 4-6 hours per week, juniors work 6-8 hours per week, and our seniors work 10+ hours per week in an internship that is individualized to their area of interest for employment. The program does not limit the students area of interest for employment, with the exception of making sure that the desired job is realistic and achievable for the student based on qualifications. |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office?: | Yes |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Our students take specialized courses related to academic areas like money management and basic and professional writing, independent living like meal planning and health and wellness, and employment like career exploration and maintaining employment. |
| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 25-49% |
| 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: | ACCESS Certificate of Completion |
| 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?: | We work with our students on identifying appropriate microcredentials that enhance their resume and fit their specific area of employment. |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 50% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Additional information about career development and work experience: | During the students' sophomore year they declare an area of focus that will determine what type of courses they will audit and what type of internships they will have during their junior and senior year. ACCESS staff work to individualize each student's work experiences based on their area of focus and interests. Additionally, time is spent aligning internship opportunities with the students plan after graduation to ensure that their resume matches opportunities that are likely to also exist in their chosen area of residence after graduation. ACCESS-specific classes act as additional opportunities to explore careers and train to become better employees. |
| 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: |
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| Residential supports for students who live in college/university housing: |
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| 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: |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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