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Postsecondary Education Webpage

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There are many postsecondary options for students with disabilities. Whether it’s a four-year college, a two-year college, a technical program, adult basic education, continuing education, or a life skills program, the key to choosing the right school for you starts with these steps:

  1. Contact your selected school’s Office of Disability Support Services to set up a meeting.

  2. Take your current learning disability documentation with you for that meeting.

  3. Know what accommodations you will need to ask for in a college or university setting.

  4. Determine if the school will provide your requested accommodations.

  5. Follow with a tour of the campus and interviews with faculty and staff.

Types of Postsecondary Options

 

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Students attend four-year colleges and universities to earn bachelor’s degrees by successfully completing the degree program. There are hundreds of these institutions to choose from, and they vary by size, admission criteria, academic standards, and what types of courses they offer.

Two-Year Colleges

Students attend two-year colleges to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students who earn an AA degree may later transfer credits to a four-year college or university. Those who have earned an AAS degree (which is occupation-specific, such as automotive technician) may be able to transfer some credits earned to a four-year institution.

 

Vocational-Technical Schools

 

Vocational-technical schools and programs offer education and training that is specifically targeted to specialized areas within the employment domain. Examples include computer technician, nurse’s aide, geriatric medical assistant, broadcast technician, veterinarian assistant, plumbing, air conditioning, truck driving, barbering, or cosmetology.

 

Adult/Continuing Education Programs

 

A wide range of course offerings can be found in adult education and continuing education programs. In these programs, students can study to improve basic academic skill or take a course for self-enrichment.

 

Continuing education programs are most often housed at colleges and universities. The only requirement may be to pay the course fee. Students may take continuing education courses to see what a similar college academic course will be like, to retain certification in specific fields of study/employment, or for self-enrichment.

 

Life Skills Programs

 

Some students may not have the academic and/or social skills to attend four-year colleges or universities, two-year colleges, vocational-technical programs, or adult education programs. Such students may have the need and desire to increase basic academic skills and knowledge, but may have an equal need to learn increased social and life management skills, while also receiving vocational training. Several life skills programs exist throughout the country, offering training for independence.

 

Click the links below for more information on Postsecondary Education.

 

Info for Parents - College Prep Checklist.pdf