Program Development

Think College Publication
Program Operations > Student Credentials
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
A Guide to the Program Credential Development and Approval Process

This guide focuses on credentials that are specifically for students with intellectual disability enrolled in inclusive postsecondary programs. Steps are carefully outlined about how to develop a robust and comprehensive course of study that culminates in a meaningful credential approved and awarded by the accredited college or university where the program is located. The process is clearly defined and real life examples and testimonies are provided.

 

Project
National Coordinating Center
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Informing College Administrators About College Programs for Students with ID

This slide deck explains the basics of college programs, shares the national landscape of programs, and includes multiple graphics sharing data about current college programs and student outcomes. Also included are slides that share tips for a successful meeting with administrators, and a listing of additional program development resources. This can be used in whole or in part to frame an introductory presentation to college administrators or others who need to be introduced to college programs and why they are a good idea.

Project
National Coordinating Center
Think College Publication
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Part of What We Do: Perspectives of Faculty Teaching College Courses to Students with Intellectual Disability

Faculty perspectives on teaching students with intellectual disability are important to consider as college programs continue to grow and more students are enrolling. To ensure faculty experiences are considered in program development and improvement, we conducted a brief literature review of postsecondary education-related articles, focusing on those that included the perspectives of faculty who taught students with intellectual disability at colleges or universities.

Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
Think College Publication
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Developing a College Program for Students with Intellectual Disability

This resource is intended to provide an initial list of areas to consider when developing an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program with a robust course of study, a meaningful certificate, and improved employment and quality of life outcomes for non-degree seeking college students with intellectual disability (ID). There is a list of six program development areas with helpful tips, guiding questions, and many resources to support the process. 

Project
National Coordinating Center
Program Planning > Program Development
Building Inclusive Higher Education Programs in Places Where They Don’t Exist: A Series of Family Perspectives

This series of briefs introduces inclusive higher education, shares lessons learned, and presents the stories of parent leaders who helped create programs in places where they didn’t exist. These briefs were compiled by Elise McMillan, J.D., a parent and former director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Profiled in the briefs are:

Program Planning > Program Development
Document
A Planning Guide for New Inclusive Programs and Initiatives Serving College Students with Intellectual Disabilities

This guide was created to support the development of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs that are aligned with Program Accreditation Standards and the requirements to be approved as a comprehensive transition postsecondary (CTP) program. It provides a framework for conceptualizing and developing IPSE programs which allow for equitable access, membership, rights and privileges for college students with intellectual disability.

Project
National Coordinating Center
Think College Publication
Campus Membership > Campus Life
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Building Inclusive Campus Communities: A Framework for Inclusion

Think College Insight Brief #26 provides a framework for inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) in higher education. It was developed by members of the Think College Special Interest Group Building Inclusive Campus Communities and collaborating partners from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI). To support implementation of this inclusive higher education framework, a series of reflective questions are provided for practitioners and administrators that they can consider when designing new or evaluating existing programs at institutions of higher education.

Project
National Coordinating Center
Think College Publication
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Using a Change Model Approach to Guide Development of an Inclusive College Experience for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Think College Insight Brief #28 features the University of Central Florida which began planning for an inclusive college experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at the end of 2014, and enrolled the first students in the fall of 2015. John Kotter’s eight-step change model describes a progression used by the planning team to build the inclusive experience.

 

Project
National Coordinating Center

Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Establishing Inclusive Campus Initiatives that Thrive

Historically, students with intellectual disability (ID) have not been included in college level education. Over the last decade, as more institutions begin to realize that programs that serve students with ID fit in with their mission and vision, the numbers of programs offered nationwide have substantially grown. Think College, a national initiative dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in inclusive higher education for students with ID, estimates there are dedicated programs for college students with ID on 300+ campuses across the country.

Think College Publication
Program Planning > Program Development
Document
Higher Education Leaders Make College Possible for Students with Intellectual Disability

Administrators in higher education play an important role in making college possible for students with intellectual disability (ID). This resource is designed for higher education professionals and contains the perspectives of experienced leaders in higher education who have developed college programs for students with ID. There are also resources for professionals to explore developing an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program and welcoming students with ID on college campuses.

Project
Inclusive Higher Education Network
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