Pathways to Postsecondary Education
There are several ways that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities are accessing college. The two documents below outline the range of pathways to postsecondary education being utilized by students with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
- Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Word document)
- Alternative Pathways to Postsecondary Education (PDF version of the chart below)
Traditional Pathway
Student 1
With Academic Advisor, DSO, or Transition Coordinator:
- Identifies a career goal (teacher, lawyer, fireman, policeman, doctor, childcare, etc.)
- Works with guidance counselor and family to identify steps to achieve career goal
Alternate Pathway
Student 2
With Academic Advisor, DSO, or Transition Coordinator:
- Works to set career goal (e.g., person-centered plan)
- Identifies steps to achieve career goal (e.g., ONET, iSeek)
- Develops a work-based learning plan
PSE OPTIONS
- Two-year (credit, non-credit, certificate, AB)
- Four-year (credit, non-credit, BA)
- Vocational/technical school (CoP)
- Continuing education
- Adult education
- Distance education
- Two-year (audit, credit, non-credit, certificate, AB)
- Four-year (audit, credit, non-credit, BA)
- Vocational/technical school (audit, CoP)
- Continuing education (audit, credit)
- Adult education (audit, credit)
- Distance education (audit, credit)
ENTRANCE CRITERIA
- SATs
- Accuplacer
- Ability to benefit
- Prerequisite requirements
- Other entrance requirements
- Waived or alternate arrangement
- Waived or alternate arrangement
- Waived or alternate arrangement
- Waived or alternate arrangement
- Waived or alternate arrangement
PSE ORIENTATION
- Financial Aid
- Speak with students
- Interviews
- Financial Aid
- Speak with students
- Interviews
FINANCIAL
- Financial Aid
- Work-study
- Tuition waiver
- Family/student
- Financial Aid
- Work-study
- Tuition waiver
- Family/student
- School district
- Adult agency
PSE ACTIVITIES
- Secure student ID
- Register with disability support office
- Attend orientation
- Register for course of study
- Academic supports provided
- Participate in all non-academic aspects of campus life
- Secure student ID
- Register with disability support office
- Attend orientation
- Register for courses (guided by career goal and interest areas)
- Education coaching and academic supports as needed
- Participation in internship, service learning, apprenticeship, paid integrated employment
- Participate in all non-academic aspects of campus life
