Transition and Access Pathways (TAP)
Transition and Access Pathways (TAP)
PO Box 210022
Cincinnati
, OH
45221
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
The Transition and Access Pathways (TAP) program at the University of Cincinnati is a four-year inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, promoting diversity and inclusion through authentic, inclusive living and learning experiences. Designed for students aged 18-25 who have completed high school requirements, TAP provides opportunities for internships, career exploration, and development, as well as meaningful employment while developing academic, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Upon completing the program, students earn a university-recognized certificate and industry-recognized credentials, preparing them for a promising future in their chosen career and community.
Program information submitted: Feb 03, 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: | 38 |
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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: | Early Decision: October 23, 2026 | Regular Decision: January 29, 2027 |
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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: | 92% |
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| Cost |
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $17,000.00 |
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| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $21,000.00 |
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| Room and board cost: | $15,000.00 |
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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
- Federal Financial Aid
- State financial aid
- Grant Funding
- Veteran or Military Benefits
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| Scholarships available: | After their freshmen year, students can apply for the TAP into Your Future scholarship. This is a one-time scholarship for students who demonstrate leadership within the program and excel in the classroom. Students can apply for this scholarship each year. |
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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 credit
- Typical college courses for audit
- Typical Continuing Education courses
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| More about course access: | During their freshman year, TAP students begin by identifying long-term goals and working with the TAP team to select an elective concentration aligned with their career interests. From there, students can follow several different pathways within their chosen concentration. One option is pursuing a UC certificate, which is based on student interests, career goals, and readiness to complete college-level coursework with accommodations. When pursuing a certificate, students enroll in all required courses and complete them for academic credit. Another option is pursuing a career-aligned pathway through TAP that may include participation in a pre-apprenticeship offered in partnership with the high school program, CEES, or enrollment in an elective pathway aligned with the student’s career goals. Current pre-apprenticeship options are available in Computer Science, Engineering, and Customer Service and combine classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences.
TAP students take at least one UC elective each semester, which may be taken for credit or audit, depending on the student and the course. When a student takes a course for credit, they are responsible for completing all course requirements outlined in the syllabus, just like any other UC student. All TAP students register with Accessibility Resources, and TAP staff support students in accessing approved accommodations; however, accommodations do not replace required coursework for credit-bearing classes. When a student takes a course for audit, an audit agreement is developed between the student and the instructor, with support from TAP staff, outlining how course expectations will be met in an alternative format. These alternatives may include modified assignment length, alternative formats such as presentations instead of research papers, or other agreed-upon adjustments. Decisions about whether a course is taken for credit or audit are made individually and may change from semester to semester based on the student’s goals, the course, and the level of support needed. |
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| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office?: | Yes |
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| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
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| Information on special classes: | To complete the TAP certificate, students take courses to develop self-determination, employment skills, healthy relationships, independent living skills, and executive functioning skills. Many of the TAP courses include peer mentors and coaches to support learning and inclusion. |
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| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 25-49% |
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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: | TAP Certificate |
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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?: | Varied based on pre-apprenticeships, electives and UC courses. |
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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
- Academic advising services (not program staff)
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| Employment |
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 72% |
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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: | 80% |
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| Additional information about career development and work experience: | TAP students complete six internships beginning in their sophomore year, starting with on-campus placements that provide a more structured and supportive environment to practice job skills, and progressing to off-campus internships during their junior and senior years. As needed, students receive travel training using the Metro, UC shuttle, and Uber, and internships may be paid or unpaid. Job coaches support students at internship sites with the goal of gradually fading support as students build independence, depending on the student and the placement, and students earn course credit for their internship experiences. As students advance through the program, they spend increasing time in internships and less time in TAP classes to support their transition toward long-term employment. In addition, TAP students take vocational classes every semester, beginning with career exploration and service learning during the freshman year and shifting in later years to skill development such as resume writing, interviewing, and participating in job fairs, alongside elective courses aligned with their career goals. |
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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
- Campus Life Coordinator Meetings, Life and Independent Living Coach Meetings, Community Living Meetings
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