TigerLIFE: Learning Independence Fostering Employment and Education
The University of Memphis
TigerLIFE: Learning Independence Fostering Employment and Education
4050 South Park Loop, Bldg. 29, Room 119, University of Memphis
Memphis
, TN
38152
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
The University of Memphis TigerLIFE Postsecondary Education Program is a 4 -semester program culminating in a completion award in Career and Community Studies. Participation in the TigerLIFE program allows students to continue their education beyond high school to increase employment opportunities. At the heart, TigerLIFE is a person-driven planning model that uses the Systems Approach to Placement. The program provides individualized Programs of Study in the areas of academic, social, vocational, and independence for students ages 18-29 with IDD. The TigerLIFE program is administered by the University of Memphis Institute on Disability whose purpose is to assist people with physical and developmental disabilities in finding meaningful Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) and serves as a community rehabilitation provider (CRP) for the mid-south region—collaborating with Vocational Rehabilitation agencies in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Program information submitted: Feb 05, 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: | 43 |
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| Summer program name: | Summer Pre-ETS Camp |
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| Summer program description: | The Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) allows high school students to jump-start their prospects for the future through partnerships with local school districts. Our Pre-ETS team visits schools to provide instruction and training that help students explore their potential and identify post-secondary and career paths through a person-driven approach, ensuring a successful transition from secondary school to adulthood. |
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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: | May 1 for Fall/Summer Semester, October 1 for Spring Semester |
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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
- Traumatic brain Injury, All other neurodivergence
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| Planned program length: |
- 2 years
- 4 semesters
- Varies from student to student
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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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| Notes on acceptance and attendance: | Over the last decade we have 86% retention rate. |
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| Cost |
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $21,450.00 |
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| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $21,450.00 |
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| Room and board cost: | $6,250.00 |
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| Program specific fees: | $0.00 |
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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)
- Tuition Waivers
- Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
- Scholarships
- Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
- Federal Financial Aid
- State 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
- Typical Continuing Education courses
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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: | TL Skills: Social Learning/Employability
TL Workforce Campus & Community Orientation
TL Functional Literacy for Independence
TL Independent Living for Community/Advocacy
TL Social Intern Intervention & Prevention Skills Training
TL Social Skills for Employability
TL Health Social Skills/Advocacy
TL Workforce Training I
TL Emp/Work-based Learning Intern
TL Ind. Emp. Skills & Advocacy
On-campus Internships and/or community-based Externships
Audit Classes (general University classes where the instructor must give permission for any student to audit) |
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| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 100% |
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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?: | No |
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| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate in Career and Community Services |
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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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| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?: | Serve Safe Credential |
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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
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| Employment |
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 10% |
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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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| 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: | |
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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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