IDEAL - Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb
IDEAL - Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb
1 University Park Drive
Nashville
, TN
37204
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
The IDEAL program at Lipscomb is an inclusive postsecondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities between the ages of 18-26. The focus of our program is on employment and independent living skills with the goal of paid, meaningful employment when students graduate. Our program of study includes audited university classes, internships, IDEAL classes focused on employment and independent living skills, and peer mentoring. Our students also have the option to live in the dorms on campus. Students graduate after 2 years with a certificate of Career Exploration Studies. Graduating students will have the option to apply for the IDEAL Advanced Program, which is an additional 3rd and 4th year. The Advanced program focuses on further application of skills learned in the first 2 years of the program.
Program information submitted: Feb 19, 2026
| General |
| Public or private: | Private |
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| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
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| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?: | No |
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| Number of students: | 30 |
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| Summer program name: | Lipscomb IDEAL Summer Academy |
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| Summer program description: | Lipscomb IDEAL Summer Academy is a week-long experience for students considering applying for the college in the future. During the week, students are exposed to all aspects of college life- they live in the dorms, take classes, and participate in social activities. |
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| Requirements |
| Program serves students who have left high school?: | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
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| High school diploma required?: | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
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| Deadline to apply to this program: | December 15th |
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| Admission link: | Program admission |
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| Criteria for admission: | |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
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| Students in this program have these disabilities: | - Intellectual disability
- Autism
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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% |
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| Cost |
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $10,000.00 |
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| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $10,000.00 |
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| Room and board cost: | $7,700.00 |
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| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)?: | Yes |
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| Students pay for the program in the following ways: | - Private pay (student and family)
- Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
- Scholarships
- Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
- Federal Financial Aid
- State financial aid
- Grant Funding
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| Scholarships available: | The IDEAL Scholarship is a program specific scholarship available for current IDEAL students to apply for. |
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| Academic |
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
- Typical college courses for audit
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| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office?: | No |
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| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
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| Information on special classes: | Students in the IDEAL Program take one independent living related class and one employment skills related class each semester. |
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| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 50-74% |
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| Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester?: | Yes |
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| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Career Exploration Studies |
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| Is the credential approved by the college/university?: | Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE |
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| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?: | IDEAL Advanced Program Certificate |
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| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
- Career services
- Disability/accessibility services
- Academic tutoring services
- Health services
- Mental health/counseling services
- Access to a transcript via the registrar
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| Employment |
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 20% |
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| Other career development activities are: | - Internships
- Volunteer work
- Community Service
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 70% |
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| Additional information about career development and work experience: | Students participate in on campus internships during the 1st year of the program. Students participate in off campus internships in the 2nd year of the program. |
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| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
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| Housing |
| Housing is provided to students?: | Yes |
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| Housing options available: | - Inclusive on campus
- Inclusive off campus
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| Residential supports for students who live in college/university housing: | - Residential Assistant or Advisor who provides supports
- Intermittent or on-call staff support
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