The Career and Community Studies Employment Readiness program provides you with the tools and resources needed to develop essential employment skills, such as job search strategies, communication skills, workplace behavior and more. With experienced faculty and a supportive community, you'll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in your career.
Career and Community Studies-Employment Readiness non-degree program offers a college experience meticulously designed to prepare individuals aged 18 and older, with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as autism, for the transition into adult life and the workforce. Students will learn and practice social skills, independent living skills and employment skills tailored for entry-level jobs. 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 being aware of job skills. The second year builds on this, with more job opportunities and experiences on campus to boost awareness and success in both work and social skills. The goal is not just job readiness but also helping individuals become confident decision-makers in life and work.
The program is limited to 10-12 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.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
| 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 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 00010 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I | 3 |
| CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3 |
| CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3 |
| CCS 00220 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE | 1 |
| CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3 |
| CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 6 |
| CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 12 |
| CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3 |
| CCS 00410 | EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS | 3 |
| CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1 |
| CCS 01095 | SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LECTURE | 1 |
| or CCS 01195 | SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LABORATORY | |
| or CCS 01295 | SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 2.000 | 2.000 |
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 00020 | APPLYING TECHNOLOGY | 1 |
| CCS 00035 | SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3 |
| CCS 00115 | SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION | 3 |
| CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3 |
| CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 01095 or CCS 01195 or CCS 01295 | SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LECTURE or SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN LABORATORY or SPECIAL TOPICS: FRESHMAN COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| CCS 00015 | SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS | 3 |
| CCS 00105 | INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION | 1 |
| CCS 00120 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN | 1 |
| CCS 00135 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS | 3 |
| CCS 00145 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN | 3 |
| CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| CCS 00010 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I | 3 |
| CCS 00205 | JOB EXPLORATION I | 3 |
| CCS 00235 | SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION | 3 |
| CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 00410 | EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| CCS 00206 | JOB EXPLORATION II | 3 |
| CCS 00220 | PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE | 1 |
| CCS 00245 | DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 00292 | WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE | 3 |
| CCS 00335 | SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING | 3 |
| CCS 00425 | MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
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