R.A.M. Initiative (Readiness. Academics. Mentorship)
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
R.A.M. Initiative (Readiness. Academics. Mentorship)
20 Linden St
West Chester
, PA
19383
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
The R.A.M. Initiative is a program at West Chester University, bringing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), ages 18-24, to campus in very small numbers, to participate in a two-year inclusive post-secondary education experience. In the inclusive R.A.M. program students learn and interact with all students, faculty, staff, and administrators on campus, not in segregated environments. The students audit classes and have a non-traditional application/admissions process. Students in the R.A.M. Initiative are full-time students, have full privileges of the university, and are eligible for Pell Grants and Federal Financial Work Study programs (if financially eligible by filling out a FASFA form).They enroll in 12-13 credits each semester, including a work-experience practicum/internship per semester. This is a 4 semester, 2 year certification program, where students attend a fully inclusive graduation.
Program information submitted: Feb 06, 2026
| General |
| Public or private: | Public |
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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: | 3 |
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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: | Feb. 1 |
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| Admission link: | Program admission |
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| Criteria for admission: | - 18 plus
- Age range: 18-24
- Student is NOT under legal guardianship
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | No |
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| 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: | 0% |
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| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | Once in the program, students complete the 2 years. We had 0 students last year |
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| Cost |
| 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)
- Tuition Waivers
- Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
- Scholarships
- Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
- Local School District funds
- Federal Financial Aid
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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: | No |
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| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 100% |
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| Is the credential approved by the college/university?: | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
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| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
- Career services
- Disability/accessibility services
- Health services
- Mental health/counseling services
- Access to a transcript via the registrar
- Academic advising services (not program staff)
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| Employment |
| Other career development activities are: | - Internships
- Volunteer work
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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?: | No |
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