The IDEAL program is an inclusive secondary education program at Lipscomb University that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities while teaching them independence and life skills. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.
Program Information
The IDEAL program is a 2 year college program with an option to apply for the advanced program for another 2 years.
1st year
Each semester, students audit two university classes based on their interests and career aspirations with accommodations if needed.
Students are enrolled in two IDEAL courses per semester focusing on independence and life skills.
Students participate in four internship rotations around campus (examples include: dining services, post office, library, student activities center, etc.).
2nd year
Students continue to audit university classes while also completing IDEAL program specific courses.
Students participate in an off campus internship at one site based on their interests (examples include: Nashville Zoo, Lipscomb Academy, Brentwood Library, Nashville Soccer Club, etc.).
Lipscomb's IDEAL program has a peer mentorship program.
Each student will be matched with a Circle of Support (COS) leader who will meet with them each week and help with goal planning, assignments, and communicating with the student's peer mentor.
They will also be paired with peer mentors that will help them enjoy college life. Some activities an IDEAL student and their peer mentors can do together can include exercising, studying, getting lunch together, or getting together on the weekends. This is a great way for IDEAL students to practice their social skills.
In their first year, IDEAL students receive 4-5 peers; while in their second year, they receive 2-3 peers. This is also dependent on how much support the student needs.
For more information about the peer mentorship program, visit their website at https://lipscomb.edu/student-life/student-services/access/ideal-program/ideal-peer-mentors
The students who graduate from the IDEAL program will have a certificate in Career Exploration Studies.
Independent living is provided on Lipscomb University's campus where IDEAL students can room with other students in the IDEAL program. Housing options differ for males and females but they will share a room with one other person and have either a suite style bathroom and share between another suite, or a communal bathroom with the entire hall.
It is not required to live on campus, but IDEAL students who live on campus should have independent living skills such as toileting, feeding, grooming, time management, etc.
Students are also able to decide to live on campus for their second year in the program after they have worked on these independence skills during their first year.
IDEAL students have access to everything that other Lipscomb University students have such as clubs, sports, and all facilities on campus
Social clubs are a fun opportunity for IDEAL students to get involved on campus and get to know other Lipscomb students. As part of an accommodative rush process, IDEAL students can rush social clubs in a modified setting without as many restrictions as other members (ex: not being required to attend every event, etc.)
The IDEAL Summer Academy is a great opportunity for potential IDEAL students to see what options there are for postsecondary education along with experiencing college life.
Students accepted to the IDEAL program will be required to attend Summer Academy the summer before they start in the IDEAL program to be able to meet the staff and other students along with get to know the campus and what the program is going to look like.
This Summer Academy is also offered to individuals with IDDs between the age of 17 and 25 who are interested in applying to the IDEAL program but have not applied or have not been accepted yet.
This is not required to attend prior to applying, but it is a good opportunity to see if this program would be a good fit for applicants along with allowing the admissions staff to meet potential students and learn their strengths and give advice on what skills they can gain before applying and attending college.
During this week, the students will participate in classes, volunteer opportunities, and fun activities such as bowling, etc.
For more information on the IDEAL Summer Academy, please visit their website at https://lipscomb.edu/student-life/student-services/access/ideal-program/ideal-summer-academy
If an IDEAL student wants to continue with their secondary education after completing their first two years of the IDEAL program, they can apply for the Advanced Program.
Applications open in the spring semester of their second year in the IDEAL program.
This allows the students opportunities to continue to expand their knowledge while they work at a paid job, attend classes, and live independently off campus.
They will also complete a capstone project at the end of their fourth year which consists of the students creating a resource guide for something they will need after they graduate (ex: cook books, finance tracker, etc.).
While in the Advanced Program, these students still have a COS leader to help them track their goals along with a cooking peer.
No, there is not transportation provided, but the IDEAL program makes transportation an important part of their curriculum by training students how to use ride share services (Lyft, Uber) along with public transportation. This consists of staff riding along with the students in various forms of transportation to make sure they are making safe choices and understanding the processes.
Yes! The IDEAL program has a specific staff member in charge of partnering with IDEAL students and community partners to help find them a job once they graduate.
Alumni of the program can also work with Lipscomb staff to find jobs years down the line if need be.
It is located on the Lipscomb University campus at One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.
Classes are in session for the same schedule as other Lipscomb students. They do end a week earlier at the end of the school year because the IDEAL students do not have finals.
For the Lipscomb University school calendar, please click on this link: https://lipscomb.edu/academics/office-registrar/academic-calendar
The IDEAL program may be a good fit for you if:
You enjoy being in an academic setting
You have good independence skills but are looking to improve them
You are wanting to experience college life
You are wanting a chance to live independently while learning new things
You are wanting to get a job after graduating college
You don't know if you want to go to school for another two years or four years
To qualify for the IDEAL program, you have to be:
Between the ages of 18-26 when starting the program
Have a documented intellectual disability qualifying you for an IEP in high school
Graduated from high school with any diploma type (traditional, special education, occupational, or alternative diploma)
Independence with self care and navigating campus
Have functional reading, math, and communication skills
Have the desire to be apart of the IDEAL program and to be employed upon graduation
You can apply on their website at: https://admission.lipscomb.edu/apply/
Application: This involves completing a personal inventory questionnaire, submitting the most recent accommodation form/IEP and psychoeducational evaluation, a personal statement video, and two professional/educational references.
After the application is accepted and the student is determined to be eligible for the program, they are invited to an Experience Day.
Experience Day: An all day college visit where students can meet with the IDEAL staff and answer interview questions.
Parents will also come for an interview that day.
Application opens: July 15th (the year before you plan to attend)
Early admission deadline: November 1st
Regular admission deadline: December 16th
Decisions sent: By March (the year you plan to attend)
No, there is no fee to apply.
Up to 12 students are accepted each year.
Tuition
$10,000 per semester (estimated for 2025-2026 school year and subject to change)
Tuition does not include residential or textbooks
Meal Plan
$626- $3,450 depending on dining plan chosen (refer to https://lipscomb.edu/student-life/residence-life-dining/dining for more information)
Dorm
$4,260-$4,537 per semester (not including housing fees)
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
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:
Lydia Hayes, Program Coordinator - lydia.hayes@lipscomb.edu
Dr. Halle King, Program Director - halle.king@lipscomb.edu
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at www.lipscomb.edu/ideal
Can I take a in-person/virtual tour of the IDEAL program?
Sign up for a campus tour at https://admission.lipscomb.edu/portal/daily-visits or look at a virtual tour at https://www.youvisit.com/tour/lipscomb
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow the Lipscomb IDEAL Program on Instagram @lipscombideal and like them on Facebook at Lipscomb IDEAL Program!