2865 Old Main Hill
Logan , UT 84322
| Program Contact | Lindsay Thunell |
| Program Contact Email | aggieselevated@usu.edu |
| Program Phone | 4357971512 |
| Website | Program website |
| Social Media: | Program Social Media |
Aggies Elevated empowers college-age students with intellectual disabilities to develop the skills and capabilities necessary for competitive integrated employment, full community inclusion, and independent living to their highest ability. Students engage in a collaborative person-centered planning process focused on their strengths, interests, support needs, vocational goals, and life skills.
Our fully inclusive college program provides access to the same opportunities for academic exploration, campus participation, growth and maturity, and increased social networks that all other young adults experience in post-secondary education. Aggies Elevated students continue to demonstrate improved outcomes in many areas of adulthood including independent living, competitive employment, and social integration.
Program information submitted: Feb 04, 2025
| 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: | 11 |
| 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 |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | mid-December |
| 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 | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 70% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 100% |
| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | acceptance depends on number of complete applications and number of applicants that are eligible (we get several applicants each year that do not have intellectual disability and thus are not eligible) |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $8,560.00 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $24,990.00 |
| Room and board cost: | $6,690.00 |
| Program specific fees: | $8,000.00 |
| 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 a handful of scholarships specific to Aggies Elevated students made possible by donors wishing to support students with intellectual disabilities in pursuing education and meaningful employment. More information will be available on our website soon. |
| 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: | In addition to program-taught classes, Aggies Elevated students take a variety of inclusive elective and general education courses that are available to all undergraduate students at the university. These courses are selected based on students’ interests, needs, and employment goals. Inclusive classes may be taken for credit or audit, as arranged with program staff and the course instructor. Accommodations are arranged through the USU Disability Resource Center. |
| 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: | Program-taught courses are designed specifically for students with intellectual disability (ID). They provide foundational knowledge and skills in areas vital for students with ID, including academics, social, job readiness/employment, independent living, and self-determination/self-advocacy. These courses help fill in social and academic gaps that many students with ID experience and set them up for success in inclusive college classes and life after graduation. They provide individualized support while maintaining high expectations and pushing students to grow. Program-taught courses mirror traditional college courses in format and expectations. Courses are credit-bearing, progressively increase in difficulty and complexity, have a variety of assignments and demonstrations of learning, and maintain high expectations for learning and growth. |
| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 50-74% |
| 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: | Certificate of Proficiency - Integrated College and Community Studies |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university?: | Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE |
| 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: | 80% |
| 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: | The program’s employment-related classes and activities include self-assessments, transferable skills, career exploration & matching, job search, resume & cover letter, interview prep, interviewing, onboarding, internship, workplace readiness, work behavior, and accommodations. Internships provide students with on-the-job experience. Placements are individually arranged based on each student’s career interests and areas for skill development. Internships focus on developing transferable skills and work experience as well as career-specific competencies. Another key part of career-development that we focus on is building “soft skills.” Employers consistently rank soft skills as the most vital component of work readiness and the most desired characteristics in potential employees (US Dept. of Labor). These skills are nuanced and challenging to teach. To help prepare students for success in competitive and meaningful employment after graduation, soft skill development is infused into all aspects of the program. Soft skills include: time management, planning & organizing, paying attention, staying on task, following instructions, emotion regulation and stress management, taking responsibility, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, social skills, self determination and self-advocacy, using work-related technology and accommodations. |
| 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 | |
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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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