About College Experience Programs
A College Experience Program helps students with disabilities learn what it’s like to go to college. Students can take classes, learn job and life skills, make friends, and practice being more independent. These programs give students a chance to experience campus life and prepare for their future after high school.
New York State Programs
The College Experience: The College Experience is a 2-year campus-based residential program (with an optional third year) that, in partnership with Russell Sage College and Living Resources, provides young adults with disabilities the support, skills, confidence, internships and work experiences they need to gain independence.
InclusiveU at Syracuse University - InclusiveU is an initiative of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, committed to individualized and inclusive higher educational opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Otsego Academy - Otsego Academy is a two-year transitional program that offers young adults opportunities to develop and refine independent living skills and peer-to-peer relationships in a residential setting.
BRIDGES Program, SUNY Orange - The SUNY Orange Traditional BRIDGES Program offers a diverse and dynamic curriculum geared toward individual student success. The program is designed as a three year program incorporating functional academics, independent living, employment and social/leisure skills with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults. The Hybrid Program is designed for students who are attending the BRIDGES program with a goal toward matriculation. These students may require more support as they transition into credit courses. BRIDGES classes such as Academic Resource, Executive Function, Stress Management and Social Engagement are foundational in providing enhanced support for students on this program.
MOST Program @ Molloy- The MOST (Molloy Opportunity for Successful Transition) Program in collaboration with the Mary Quinn’s Mark Foundation is a three-year program to provide individuals with developmental disabilities, with opportunities to identify and develop the social and academic skills required to successfully transition into a meaningful and engaged adult life while participating in a fully inclusive college experience. Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to explore and utilize campus facilities and join activities based on their areas of interest.
Out of State Programs
ClemsonLIFE™ - The ClemsonLIFE ™ program at Clemson University offers a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of academic coursework and career exploration.
College Living Experience College Living Experience (CLE) helps people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), NVLD, dyslexia and other disabilities gain the skills they need to become independent.
Mason LIFE The Mason LIFE Program is a 4-year post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment.
The Horizons School The Horizons School provides a community-based educational program promoting successful transition to independent living for young adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum and developmental disorders.
Threshold Programs Lesley University’s Threshold Programs are transformative college experiences for neurodiverse young adults seeking to build strong independent lives and careers and gain a system of lifelong support.
Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) The mission of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) is to facilitate and support the successful adjustment and progression of college students on the autism spectrum in all domains of college life, thereby broadening their vocational opportunities, and enhancing social and community engagement
Thames at Mitchell College The Thames program is made up of both credit and non-credit courses. Thames students dive into a personalized, pre-college experience by following a course schedule that mirrors a college freshman schedule.