The Access ETSU program is a secondary education program at East Tennessee State University that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities to build academic, career development, and social skills. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.
Program Information
The Access ETSU program is a 3 year non -egree seeking program with hopes to expand to 4 years in the future.
Students can audit classes each semester depending on interests and availability.
In the second year of the program, students begin to work with an employment coordinator once a week to start discovering job interests, going to internship sites, and setting up opportunities to work as an intern, in a community job placement, or in work-based learning opportunities. The amount of classes students audit decrease to leave time for these employment opportunities.
In the third year, students only audit a couple courses so that the main goal can be working and finding employment opportunities to help aid in transition to a job once graduating.
*Access ETSU does not provide specific life skills courses for Access ETSU students and does not host specific Access ETSU social events.
East Tennessee State University has a navigator program for Access ETSU students. These navigators can attend classes, jobs/internships, and social events with Access ETSU students
For more information, please click on this link: https://www.etsu.edu/coe/access/navigators.php
The students who graduate from the Access ETSU program will have a certificate for completing the program along with the opportunity to apply for a workforce development certificate that can help show employers these students are ready for employment.
Yes, Access ETSU students can live on campus.
They can apply for residential housing, but the Access ETSU program does not provide residential support.
Some things to consider when deciding if living on campus is the right fit for you:
Can you wake up independently and on time?
Can you manage personal needs such as medication, eating, hygiene, etc.
Do you have safety awareness and can monitor your safety with minimal support?
Access ETSU students have access to everything that other East Tennessee State University students have such as clubs, intramurals, sporting events, and all facilities on campus.
No, the Access ETSU program does not provide specific transportation to and from the school, but they do provide resources for reliable transportation in the surrounding area such as public transportation, family, or carpool with friends.
Once students get closer to graduating, they will be paired with a community inclusion coordinator who can help with finding them a job for after they graduate. If they cannot find a job to work at prior to graduation, this Access ETSU staff will work for the next 3-6 months after graduation to help secure them a job.
It is located on the East Tennessee State University campus at 128 David Collins Way, Johnson City, TN 37614.
Classes are in session for the same schedule as other ETSU students.
For the East Tennessee State University school calendar, please click on this link: https://www.etsu.edu/reg/academic-dates/
The Access ETSU program may be a good fit for you if:
You enjoy being in an academic setting
You have good independence skills
You are wanting to experience college life
You are wanting to get a job after graduating college
You know you want to take college courses with a good support system
You want to live on campus while experiencing life away from home
To qualify for the Access ETSU program, you have to be:
Between the ages of 18-25 when starting the program
Have a documented intellectual disability
Graduated from high school with any diploma type (traditional, special education, alternative, or occupational diploma)
Desire to continue education at the university level and expand employment opportunities
Independence in basic living skills (grooming, eating, etc.)
Minimal assistance needed to follow a schedule
Basic technology skills
Basic functional literacy and math skills
Online Application with Access ETSU
Interview to talk about goals and interests
After selected by Access ETSU program
Application to ETSU as a non-degree seeking student with guaranteed admission
Person-centered planning meeting
Applications are accepted between October and December for the following year with a potential rolling admissions that will accept applications after December if they do not have enough applicants.
There is not an application fee to apply for the Access ETSU program but there is an application fee of $25 to apply to ETSU as a non-degree seeking student.
Around 15-25 students are accepted for each cohort depending on the support needs of each student.
Tuition
$5,236 per semester (estimated for 2024-2025 school year and subject to change)
Can change depending on how many classes they choose to audit
Estimated housing/meal plan: $10,554 per year
*The tuition for the ETSU Access program is the same cost as other undergraduate students.
For more information, please click on this link: https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/affordability.php
Vocational Rehabilitation ($5,000 per semester)
Pell Grants (up to $3,500 per semester)
FAFSA required, based on financial need
May also be eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) for those who have the greatest need
TSAA Grant (up to $4,000 per year)
FAFSA required, based on financial need
TN Step-Up Scholarship ($2,250 per semester)
FAFSA required, not based on financial need
TN Promise ($2,200 per semester)
FAFSA required, not based on financial need
Endowed Scholarships (amount depends on each scholarship)
For incoming freshman, each having different requirements
Click on the links for more specific information on each program!
For information on completing the FAFSA, visit their website at https://studentaid.gov/
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you still have unanswered questions, you can contact the Access ETSU program through:
Email at accessetsu@etsu.edu
Phone call at (423) 439-6826
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at: https://www.etsu.edu/coe/access/
Can I take a tour of the Access ETSU program?
Access ETSU encourages potential applicants to take a tour of the ETSU campus. When you sign up for a tour, you can specify that you would like to speak with Access ETSU staff.
Please sign up for a campus tour at this link: https://etsu.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/#/list?type=Daily%20Campus%20Visit
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow the Access ETSU program on Instagram @accessetsu and like them on Facebook at Access ETSU!