Duquesne University
Compass
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh , PA 15282
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh , PA 15282
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Dr. Alia M. Pustorino-Clevenger |
| Program Contact Email | pustorinoa@duq.edu |
| Program Phone | 4123966639 |
| Website | Program website |
The Compass Program is an inclusive post-secondary initiative for young adults age 18-26 with an intellectual disability to attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. This four-year certificate program is for students who are enthusiastic about the opportunity to pursue curricular, vocational, and social opportunities at college as a means in which to develop independence and future careers. Students benefit from participating in a program situated in an urban environment to promote social inclusion and greater internship and career opportunities as well as the robust social offerings of the Pittsburgh community. Compass does not offer on-campus housing so all students must be within a commutable distance to campus.
Program information submitted: Feb 02, 2026
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Private |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?: | No |
| Number of students: | 8 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school?: | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| High school diploma required?: | Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | January 1st of each year begins priority review of applications |
| Admission link: | Program admission |
| Criteria for admission: |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | No |
| Students in this program have these disabilities: |
|
| Planned program length: |
|
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 100% |
| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | Typically 50% or less of applicants are accepted for admissions; 100% of cohorts have had retention and graduation on a year-to-year basis |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $28,379.00 |
| Other costs: | Students are expected to pay other institutional fees (e.g., Orientation Fee, Programming Fee, etc.) |
| 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: |
|
| Scholarships available: | Students in the Compass program are eligible to apply for DREAM Partnership scholarships and the program actively supports students in completing applications for other scholarships throughout the year. Pittsburgh Public School alumni may be eligible for Pittsburgh Promise funding. |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
|
| More about course access: | Compass students participate in only traditional academic courses offered through the university course catalog available for all undergraduate students. |
| 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: | No |
| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 100% |
| 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: | Compass Certificate |
| 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?: | Individual opportunities align with university catalog and credential requirements. |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
|
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 25% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 0% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | All Compass students are encouraged to have work experiences throughout school and receive significant career development opportunities through internship requirements. Compass students also maintain rigorous community service and volunteer work experiences during school. |
| 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?: | No |
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| 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: |
|
| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
|