EAGLES Program

Auburn University
EAGLES Program
345 W Samford Ave
Auburn University , AL 36849
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Program Contact Dr. Betty Patten
Program Contact Email eagles@auburn.edu
Program Phone 334-707-9950
Website Program website
Social Media: Program Social Media
The EAGLES Program is a certificate program that provides an opportunity for students to engage in a multi-year campus residential experience. The goal of the EAGLES program is to prepare students with intellectual disabilities to achieve and maximize their potential as they transition to become contributing members of society. This program will provide a residential, inclusive two-year or four-year post-secondary education. The curriculum focuses on academic enrichment, personal and social skills, independence, employment, and health and wellness.

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:25
Summer program name:EAGLES Summer Bridge Camp
Summer program description:The EAGLES Summer Bridge Camp provides a service for transition-age students (14-24) and those who have aged out of traditional transition services by providing opportunities for campers to learn transferrable job and daily living skills away from home. This day camp encourages students to participate in an engaging, inclusive, educational summer experience.  The EAGLES Summer Camp will explicitly teach skills across five focus areas: Health and wellness Employment development Academic enrichment Personal and social skills Independent living Each camper will participate in social opportunities to learn appropriate social interactions and form friendships. The skills taught will also emphasize each camper’s interests and provide opportunities to strengthen areas of need to live fulfilling lives. Overall, we hope to improve the quality of life for our campers and their families. EAGLES Summer Bridge Camp is a day program from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Summer Bridge is not an overnight camp for campers. EAGLES Summer Bridge Camp applications are open from February 2, 2026, to February 27, 2026. Notifications of Acceptance will be sent on March 16, 2026.
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:10-Oct-26
Admission link:Program admission
Criteria for admission:
  • Age range: 18-26
Accepts out-of-state students?:Yes
Students in this program have these disabilities:
  • Intellectual disability
Planned program length:
  • 2 years
  • 4 years
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:50% acceptance rate of those offered an in-person interview.
Cost
Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year:$30,000.00
Room and board cost:$12,000.00
Other costs:$1,350.00
Meal plan
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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships available:The EAGLES program offers 50 scholarships annually. We award more than 250,000 in direct scholarship support annually.
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities):
  • Typical college courses for credit
  • Typical college courses for audit
More about course access:The EAGLES Program at Auburn University offers a structured sequence of inclusive and program-specific courses designed to support students with intellectual disabilities in building academic skills, independence, and pathways to employment and community engagement. EAGLES students participate in inclusive Auburn University courses alongside their peers, including Public Speaking, Active Auburn, and Auburn Success Strategies. These courses promote communication, wellness, self-advocacy, and successful navigation of the college environment, while fostering meaningful peer interaction and full participation in campus life. Additionally, EAGLES students declare a concentration and complete a sequence of university-approved courses aligned with their concentration.
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:EAGLES students complete EAGLES-specific courses aligned with individualized goals and program concentrations. These courses focus on areas such as employment readiness, community engagement, financial literacy, disability empowerment, independent living, and agency awareness. Instruction emphasizes real-world application, experiential learning, and skill generalization across all settings. EAGLES students have access to meaningful academic experiences while developing the skills necessary for competitive integrated employment, independent living, and lifelong community participation. The EAGLES curriculum reflects Auburn University’s commitment to inclusive higher education and aligns with national evidence-based practices in inclusive postsecondary education.
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:Employment Readiness and Independent Living Readiness Certificate
Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?:The EAGLES Program at Auburn University integrates industry-recognized credentials across all seven program concentrations to ensure students develop marketable skills aligned with workforce expectations and employer needs. Credentialing is intentionally embedded within coursework, employment preparation, and experiential learning, providing students with tangible, transferable evidence of their competencies. All EAGLES students complete OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training in person, reinforcing workplace safety, professionalism, and compliance through direct instruction and applied learning. This in-person format allows for skill demonstration, discussion, and real-time feedback, supporting comprehension and generalization in authentic work-related contexts. In addition to OSHA training, students earn credentials aligned with their selected concentration areas, which may include employment readiness, customer service, financial literacy, community engagement, health and wellness, disability empowerment, and independent living. These credentials are selected to reflect industry standards and to strengthen students’ preparedness for competitive integrated employment. By combining inclusive coursework, concentration-specific training, and industry-recognized credentials, the EAGLES Program equips students with practical qualifications that enhance employability, promote independence, and support successful transitions beyond the university.
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program:85%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program:100%
Additional information about career development and work experience:We aim for all students to secure paid employment by their second year in the program. Last year, 100% of EAGLES students in Years 2, 3, and 4 were employed in paid positions. The first year of the program is intentionally focused on job sampling and internship experiences to support informed career exploration and skill development.
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:
  • Inclusive on campus
Residential supports for students who live in college/university housing:
  • Roommate/suitemate who receives compensation
  • Residential Assistant or Advisor who provides supports
  • Intermittent or on-call staff support
  • Direct student worker support from 4:00-8:00 pm
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:
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
  • Study abroad
  • Fraternities/sororities
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation