School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes
About This Program
The Community Studies College Preparation program provides you with the tools and resources needed to excel in college, from study skills and time management to career exploration and personal development. With supportive faculty and a welcoming community, you'll be prepared to thrive in higher education and beyond. Read more...
Contact Information
- Program Director: Vonnie Michali | yhale@kent.edu | 330-672-0725
- Speak with an Advisor
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
Admission Requirements
- The program is limited to 1 0-12 students each fall. Students participating in the program experience intellectual and developmental disabilities that may affect some intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
- Other qualifications include documentation of past successful work, academic, leadership, and community participation.
- Also required for admission are a completed application, reference letters, and an in-person interview with the CCS admission committee.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| CCS 00015 | SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS | 3 |
| CCS 00020 | APPLYING TECHNOLOGY | 1 |
| CCS 00025 | MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE | 1 |
| CCS 00035 | SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3 |
| CCS 00105 | INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION | 1 |
| CCS 00115 | SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION | 3 |
| CCS 00120 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN | 1 |
| CCS 00135 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS | 3 |
| CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 6 |
| CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3 |
| CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3 |
| CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3 |
| CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3 |
| CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1 |
| CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 2 |
| CCS 00499 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR | 3 |
| Special Topics Electives, choose from the following: | 17 | |
| SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LECTURE | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LABORATORY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LECTURE | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LABORATORY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 2.000 | 2.000 |
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CCS 00010 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I | 3 |
| CCS 00020 | APPLYING TECHNOLOGY | 1 |
| CCS 00025 | MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE | 1 |
| CCS 00035 | SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3 |
| CCS 00115 | SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION | 3 |
| CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3 |
| Special Topics Electives | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| CCS 00105 | INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION | 1 |
| CCS 00015 | SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS | 3 |
| CCS 00120 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN | 1 |
| CCS 00135 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS | 3 |
| CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3 |
| Special Topics Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3 |
| CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3 |
| CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 1 |
| Special Topics Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3 |
| CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3 |
| CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1 |
| CCS 00445 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR | 1 |
| CCS 00499 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR | 3 |
| Special Topics Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Students will become more self-determined persons who are better prepared for creating future goals and plans for achieving adult roles.
- Students will become critical and independent thinkers and use their own voice and vision in order to be active and informed citizens.
- Students will learn basic concepts of the academic disciplines and apply imagination and creativity as they begin a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
- Students gain ethical implications of their own actions and become positive role models who contribute to societal views concerning inclusion, community, and tolerance for diversity.
Full Description
Career and Community Studies-College Preparation non-degree program offers a college experience tailored to prepare individuals aged 18 and older, with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as autism, for the transition into adulthood and pursuit of a college degree. Students will learn and practice social skills, independent living skills, and the necessary tools for enrollment in a degree program. Participants emerge as self-determined individuals who can figure out what they want to do with their lives.
In the first year, the program helps individuals figure out their strengths, likes and what's challenging for them. It covers self-advocacy, understanding rights, personal development, health and inclusive courses at Kent State University. The second year builds on this, with college-level courses and different campus experiences to boost academic and social skills. The goal is not just academic success but also helping individuals become confident decision-makers in life.