The Next Steps program is an inclusive secondary education program at Vanderbilt University that supports neurodiverse young adults in gaining a postsecondary education while also focusing on social and career development. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.Â
Program Information
The Next Steps program is a 4 year inclusive college program.Â
1st & 2nd years
Students audit two Vanderbilt liberal arts courses of their choosing per semester while also taking Next Steps classes involving career exploration, independent living skills, communication, and health skills. Â
3rd & 4th years
Students continue to audit two Vanderbilt courses each semester on a topic that aligns with their interests along with an experiential seminar, an independent study on their area of interest, and an internship on or off campus or an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships can be either paid or unpaid.
In their 3rd year, they can have a pre-apprenticeship which consists of courses and a related internship to build foundational skills related to the apprenticeship.
In their 4th year, they have a full apprenticeship where they can learn skills onsite with a mentor (some examples include: early childhood education, K-12 education, and public sector with hopes to expand to also include IT, Hospitality, Health Care).
Next Steps students are involved in person-centered planning while at Vanderbilt, which is a strengths based process that helps determine what courses each student should take to support their interests.
They meet before they start the program and will be asked what their strengths are and what they want to learn. They also meet after their second year, and during their last year to plan for exiting.
Students have the option to pick what academic pathway they would like to continue with (ex: early childhood education, K-12 education, arts & media, healthcare, administration, etc.).
Vanderbilt's Next Steps program has a peer mentorship program called the Ambasa'dores.
Each student will be paired with 6-8 peers mentors who will serve as their circle of support.
The peer mentors support the Next Steps students with academics and social skills through friendship while also allowing the Next Steps students to live the typical college experience (ex: study peer, exercise peer, lunch peer, social peer, etc.)
For more information about the peer mentorship program, visit their website at https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/organization/nextstepsambassadores
The Next Steps program is apart of The Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, but these students do not receive a degree after they graduate. Instead, they will receive a certificate from the Department of Labor for the apprenticeship they complete.
Next Steps students are not able to live on the Vanderbilt University campus, but they are partners with Best Buddies Living which is located right next to campus.
For more information, please visit Best Buddies Living.Â
Next Steps students have access to everything that other Vanderbilt University students have such as clubs, intramurals, sororities, and all facilities on campus.
During their first year, they will have opportunities to participate in an inclusive orientation and first-year experience activities.
Next Steps students also have the opportunity to participate in Best Buddies and Special Olympics on campus.Â
Next Steps does not provide transportation, but they do help students receive resources that will help to facilitate this process.Â
Next Steps makes sure that their curriculum is focused on providing career exploration through industry tours, job shadowing, and internships.
Apprenticeships allow Next Steps students to get paid experiences that will set them up for successful employment once they graduate.Â
They also will help students with the job search in their last semester in the program and create an exit plan prior to graduation.Â
It is located on the Vanderbilt University campus at 2201 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37235.
Classes are in session for the same schedule as other Vanderbilt students.
For the Vanderbilt University school calendar, please click on this link: https://registrar.vanderbilt.edu/calendars/
The Next Steps 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 to get a job after graduating college
You are confident that you want to go to college for four years
You want to continue living at home or in an off campus living community while still getting the college experience
To qualify for the Next Steps program, you have to be:
Between the ages of 18-26 when starting the program
Have a documented intellectual disabilityÂ
Graduated from high school with any diploma type (traditional, special education, alternative, or occupational diploma)Â
Motivated to become more independent and have a meaningful career
Have the ability to learn how to navigate Vanderbilt University's campus independently
Have the desire to be apart of the Next Steps program and to attend Vanderbilt University
You can apply on their website at: https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/nextsteps/admissions/
Online Application
Recent psychological-educational evaluation with intellectual disability diagnoses
High school transcript and most recent IEP
Personal Statement (any format- essay, video, art, etc. )Â
Two Recommendation Forms (one educator, one community member/employer)
Zoom Interview
Preview day at Vanderbilt University
Application opens: July 1st (the year before you choose to attend)
Early consideration deadline: November 1st
Regular admission deadline: January 15th
Decisions sent: March 15th
8-12 students are accepted based on how many they can accommodate and how many applicants they have (currently have 28 students enrolled).
Tuition
$13,581 per semester (estimated for 2024-2025 school year and subject to change)
Meal plan fees and parking permits are paid separately (click the links for more information)
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
VANDY Plan (interest free monthly payment option)
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 Vanderbilt Univeristy's Next Steps program through:
Email at NextSteps@Vanderbilt.edu
Phone call at (615) 322-3978
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/nextsteps/
Can I take a in-person/virtual tour of the Next Steps program?
Click on this link to find out when Next Steps is hosting their virtual information sessions, college nights, open houses, or classroom visits: https://enroll.vanderbilt.edu/portal/nextsteps_campus_visits
Look at their virtual campus tour at https://www.youvisit.com/tour/vanderbilt
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow the Vanderbilt Nex Steps Program on Instagram @nextstepsatvu and like them on Facebook at Next Steps at Vanderbilt!