Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s ASCEND program provides students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop their academic, career, and independent living skills for employment and active community participation.
- Inclusive Classroom Experiences
- Campus & Community Engagement Opportunities
- Career Exploration Internships
Over five (5) semesters, students will take part in a program of study that will culminate in a Career Exploration Credential in one of our three (3) Pathways.
Fall 2025 Start. Application Deadline June 30, 2025
ASCEND will welcome 6 (six) students into our program each Fall.
Application Deadline June 30, 2025
Program of Study

Academic Learning
Students will audit Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ courses along with Academic Supports including One-on-One Tutoring, Group Structured Learning, and Supported Study Time.

Career Preparation
Students will develop Individualized Career Action Plans, participate in Career Readiness workshops, Job Shadow experiences and two (2) Internships in their Career Pathway.

Personal Development
Students will have supported Person-Centered Planning activities to develop individual goals and skills. Students will also participate in Self-Advocacy Workshops, partnering with The Art of Advocacy.

Campus Engagement
ASCEND students are supported by Peer Mentors for enhancing an active campus life including participation in Campus Activities and Events, as well as University Clubs and Organizations.
Career Exploration Credential Pathway Options
This credential pathway is designed to assist students in learning about the design and operation of a business and will focus on personal skills inventories/assessment, appropriate interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, giving and receiving constructive feedback, public speaking, budget/financial, and customer service skills necessary for work in office, hospitality, retail, and other professional settings. Students interested in this certificate may be interested in pursuing internships and/or career opportunities in outreach, marketing, sales, event planning and implementation, customer relations, and entrepreneurship.
This credential pathway will examine the biological, psychological, and sociological features of human development with specific emphasis on skill building related to healthy relationships, personal safety, diet/nutrition, health and wellness, personal finance, independent living skills, policy, and advocacy. Students interested in this certificate may be interested in pursuing internships and/or employment in early childhood/youth centers, schools and out of school time programs, health and human service organizations, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and health clinics, and faith institutions.
This credential pathway will provide students with opportunities to explore avenues for engagement within the language, visual, and performing arts including writing, animation, design, filmmaking, photography, acting, movement, and directing. Students will learn how to use various mediums to express themselves and may be interested in pursuing internships and/or employment related to social media, journalism, community theater, museums, and performing arts institutions, as well as work as standardized patients in support of simulation-based learning on campus through the Center of Interpersonal Learning and Simulation (CILS) and beyond.
Program Specifics
- Complete with supporting documents
- Students will be asked to share more about themselves and their goals by submitting supplemental materials
- On Campus Interviews
**An interview does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission is granted based upon availability and the intake team's assessment of the applicant.
- Tuition: $3585
- Transition Program Fee: $4000
- Academic Support Fee: $6000
- Cost per Semester: $13,585
**Additional university and student activity fees will apply for all Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ students.
ASCEND is a program for highly motivated students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In order to be sure that ASCEND is the best match for applicants, admission will take into consideration the following criteria:
- Has a diagnosis of an intellectual and/or developmental disability with supported documentation
- Has completed their high school program or equivalent
- Desire to participate in postsecondary education at college
- Identifies employment as their primary desired outcome for attending the ASCEND
- Committed to an average of 20 hours per week for program activities such as coursework, academic and other supportive services, professional internships, and campus events
- Ability/willingness to follow the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ Student Code of Conduct policies, including self-regulation
- Ability/willingness to attend classes, engage in internship and other campus activities regularly and reliably
- Ability to function independently for a sustained time and is motivated to participate with instructors and students
- Ability to navigate campus and campus neighborhood independently
- Able to access their own transportation or use of public transportation independently to and from campus