Integrated Studies Program for Students with Autism

The program will require 40–60 credit hours that are a mixture of inclusive courses, including the first-year experience, audited courses, and internship and job shadowing opportunities. Additional seminars will be provided to support college life and socialization. Students are enrolled as full-time, non-degree seeking students, with all the rights and responsibilities of a degree seeking student. Students in the program have access to institutional facilities, consistent with other students, which supports the achievement of their goals. This program is designed to provide excellent opportunities in education, career development, and social participation within an inclusive academic setting. The program is based on Think College standards and created with support from the PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium and other successful programs.

All students will take a required 3-5 liberal arts courses (9–15 credits).
Individuals may also select a full pathway of liberal arts courses:

Early childhood pathway:

• TED 100 Education Seminar
• TED 190 Education Seminar Field
• ECE 110 Introduction to Early childhood
• TED 131 Cultural Awareness
• TED 191 Freshman Field

Exploration of Art and careers/vocational Pathway:

• COM 102 Intro to Mass communications
• HPE 128 Intro to Exercise Science
• ENG 120 Theater production
• FA 103 Fundamentals of Drawing and Composition
• FA 124 Fundamentals of Painting
• FA 133 Fine Art Photography
• CPS 101 introduction to programming
• MTH 115 Basic Statistics

All students will take courses on campus. Student will have the opportunity to audit courses with Misericordia students. Students will have the option of taking courses for credit. Satisfactory academic progress will be determined by the professor in accordance with Misericordia policy. Students seeking this path will need to fill out a part time admissions application once enrolled in the Misericordia Integrated Studies program.

All students will have completed high school with either a diploma or with a certificate and will need to have a demonstrated interest in exploring additional academic and/or vocational skills development as well as being exposed to a liberal arts education.All students admitted to the Misericordia Integrated Studies Program must:

• Be between the ages of 18–25 at the start of the program.
• Have a documented diagnosis of ASD and may have an additional comorbid diagnosis.
• Demonstrate interest in pursuing higher education at Misericordia University.
• Demonstrate interest in preparing for and desiring meaningful employment.
• Successfully completed high school or secondary institution with a diploma, GED, special education diploma, and/or certificate.
• Have either received or would have been eligible to receive services under IDEA (i.e., had an IEP/504).
• Demonstrate sufficient emotional stability, safety, and independent living skills to participate with minimal support in all aspects of the Misericordia Integrated Studies coursework and campus environment.
• Have functional literacy skills and basic computer literacy to comprehend basic safety signage, complete assignments with supports, and navigate the campus independently.
• Have the potential to successfully achieve individual and course goals with minimal support.
• Be able to appropriately participate in 75-minute classes with necessary accommodations in place to function independently in social situations.
• Be able to accept and follow campus rules and policies and behave respectfully towards others without supervision.
• Have and be responsible for their own cell phone.
• Highly desired: enrolled in county supports coordination/OVR/waiver at the start of the program.

Misericordia’s Integrated Studies Program will be accepting two to six students each Fall and Spring Semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Click here to Submit an application

In addition to a completed application form for admission, students will be required to submit a personal statement to include:

• Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school, and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
• Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, or contribution that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

PLEASE NOTE: Personal statements can be submitted in a word document, audio or video format.

Prospective students must also include documentation of disability

• Most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Psychological-Educational or Neuropsychological Evaluation (by a licensed professional and dated within 2 years of your application date)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

• Resume or summary of work/volunteer history
• Official high school transcripts and most recent IEP/504 and (if applicable) IEP and summary of performance
• Completed Student Interest Questionnaire on the application, or email your response as a video or PowerPoint attachment
• Two recommendation letters from current/former teacher or employer and/ or member of community (coach, mentor etc.)
• One family member recommendation

All supporting documents can be uploaded with the application.

ONCE ACCEPTED

A person-centered planning meeting will take place prior to the start of the semester involving the student, parents/guardians, program staff and support team.

NOTE: Due to space limitations, it is possible that not all applicants who meet criteria for admission will be accepted into the Integrated Studies Program. A wait list will be available.

Misericordia Integrated Studies is a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) approved by the Department of Education. Students should complete the FAFSA during their admissions process to determine if they are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Grants, or Federal Work-Study. Students may apply funds from PA Medicaid waiver funding toward tuition and educational support; and/or apply funds from OVR. 

Click here to file the FAFSA

Additional scholarships may be available through: 

• Dream Partnership
• Ruby’s Rainbow
• O’Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund
• Other local, community-based organizations 

Think College has been a helpful resource for paying for college, and the program staff is available to advise on this process to ensure that the program is financially accessible for any accepted student.