Certification Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

The newest graduates of Syracuse University’s InclusiveU program, which supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The number of students with disabilities enrolled in higher education has increased over the years, but they still face barriers in earning a certificate or credential. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May found that only 21 percent of students with disabilities complete a degree, compared with 38 percent of students without disabilities.

Colleges and universities have created specialized programs for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to facilitate their access to higher education and provide comprehensive support that meets their specific needs.

Here are four examples of programs that offer certificates, peer support, and opportunities for campus involvement for neuroatypical people.

The most popular

Wolverines Raised: Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University launched a three-year certificate program for young adults (ages 18 to 25) with intellectual disabilities in 2021 with a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Higher Education. UVU graduated the first group of four students in spring 2024.

Four students pose in green graduation outfits on the steps accompanied by a mature woman in a green blouse. — First group of graduates from the Wolverines Elevated program for students with intellectual disabilities at Utah Valley University.

Students who complete Wolverines Elevated (WE) will receive a certificate in integrated college and community studies, which includes courses on self-determination, independent living, and career development. WE students may also pursue a second certificate from any of the university’s offerings.

As part of the program, students are provided with mentors who help them develop skills related to student success, including time management and course management, as well as support in navigating Canvas and connecting them with campus resources. Students can also hone their professional skills through work samples and internships, both on campus and in the community.

InclusiveU: Syracuse University

At Syracuse University, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities can participate in a four-year program to earn a certificate in their field of interest by declaring a major, taking inclusive classes and electives, and completing on-campus internships. InclusiveU is a long-standing program at the university that is nationally recognized as a high-volume program.

The program attracts over 100 participants each year, and students have the opportunity to engage in all the activities that campus has to offer.

“Our students are woven into campus life,” says Brianna Shults, director of InclusiveU. “Our students attend regular SU classes, live in campus residence halls with their peers, and participate in campus social events.”

Students without disabilities serve as mentors on campus and help adapt classes to their needs, such as taking notes and studying.

Participant feedback highlights how participants have learned independence, become more confident, and feel like they belong on campus. Graduates are also looking for competitive full-time employment.

Skills for Life: Coastal Carolina University

Living on campus can be the first step toward a college student learning independence, as it is for students with disabilities. CCU offers a four-year, non-degree program for students with mild to moderate intellectual or developmental disabilities called LIFE, first modeled after CarolinaLIFE at the University of South Carolina in 2008.

During the program, students receive support in academic and career education, as well as life skills and community involvement. A unique element of the program is on-campus housing, which accommodates students in four apartments and 13 flats, with 13 housing support workers who help students meet their individual needs. Students may also choose to live independently off-campus if they are able.

Participants in the program are eligible to participate in all on-campus activities, including CCU courses, on-campus housing, student organizations, sporting events, work-study, and graduation ceremonies. LIFE students also receive $10,000 in financial aid regardless of need, and need-based grants ranging from $7,500 to $10,000 per year.

All seniors in the program participate in a 30-hour weekly internship, gaining 900 hours of work experience in two or three jobs per year. Over the past three years, 100 percent of LIFE graduates have found a job within nine months of graduation.

The fall class of 2023 at CCU saw record attendance, with 17 first-year students.

PEERS: Boise State University

In May 2023, the first group of Boise State University students enrolled in PEERS, an inclusive, two-year postgraduate education program for students with intellectual disabilities, received a certificate confirming their readiness for social and professional life.

PEERS (which stands for Providing Exceptional Education and Raising Standards) participants enroll in Boise State University classes for credit or audit, and also take PEERS courses for credit or no credit.

As part of their coursework, students complete paid or unpaid work experiences that can take place on or off campus for at least six hours per week over the past three semesters. Three 2023 graduates worked at the Boise State Rec Center while earning their certificates.

Graduates of the program say they have learned how to budget, ask for help and approach each day with perspective.

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