Image
Career and Community Studies students with their hands raised in a classroom.

Career and Community Studies - Non-Degree

Four-Year Program

The Career and Community Studies program provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a variety of career paths, from social work to community development. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world experience, you'll gain practical skills that can be applied in your daily life and career.

Admissions Closed

Applications to the Career and Community Studies program are not being accepted as of fall 2025.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Career and Community Studies - Non-Degree Program

Career and Community Studies offers a four-year, non-degree program designed to prepare students for adult life through academic pursuits, peer socialization, and career discovery and preparation.

  • Year one of the program is designed as a foundation with courses covering disability issues, personal development, health and wellness, and preparing for a rigorous college experience. 
  • Year two allows students to extend their knowledge and skills in participating in college-level courses and other campus environments. 
  • Years three and four focus on career-field specialization with courses in independent living, life-long learning competencies, and career development and employment, as well as internships in the community where students apply their learning in jobs of choice.

Please note: Applications to the Career and Community Studies program are not being accepted as of fall 2025.

Program Information for Career and Community Studies - Non-Degree

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

Career and Community Studies is a 4-year, non-degree college experience designed to prepare students  (ages 18 and older) with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism for adult life. Throughout this transformative journey, students will learn and practice social skills and independent living skills, exploring, identifying and preparing for a career aligned with their strengths and interests. The program places a particular emphasis on addressing the challenges they may encounter, fostering a holistic approach to personal and professional development. Participants emerge as self-determined individuals who can figure out what they want to do with their lives.

During the program, students discover who they are, prepare for jobs they'll enjoy, and learn how to speak up for themselves while understanding their rights. The curriculum not only imparts vital employment skills but also guides students about the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

Students will engage in a curriculum that seamlessly integrates Career and Community Studies (CCS) with courses from other units, offering diverse opportunities to practice and master the skills crucial for employment. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the option to reside on campus is available, providing a platform to develop home management skills. The goal is for students to become independent individuals who can decide what they want, speak up for themselves, and use resources to succeed in adult life.

Admissions for Career and Community Studies - Non-Degree

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • The program is limited to 10-12 students each fall.
  • Students participating in the program experience intellectual and developmental disabilities that may affect some intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
  • Other qualifications include documentation of past successful work, academic, leadership, and community participation.
  • Also required for admission are a completed application, reference letters, and an in-person interview with the CCS admission committee.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Become more self-determined persons who are better prepared for independent living and the achievement of career goals.
  2. Gain confidence in critical and independent thinking, and use their own voice and vision in order to be active and informed citizens.
  3. Understand basic concepts of the academic disciplines, and apply imagination and creativity as they begin a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
  4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical implications of their own actions, and be positive role models who contribute to societal views concerning inclusion, community, and tolerance for diversity.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CCS 00010INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I 3
CCS 00015SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS 3
CCS 00020APPLYING TECHNOLOGY 1
CCS 00025MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE 1
CCS 00035SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS 3
CCS 00105INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION 1
CCS 00110INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS II 3
CCS 00115SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION 3
CCS 00120PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN 1
CCS 00135SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS 3
CCS 00145DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN 6
CCS 00205JOB EXPLORATION I 3
CCS 00206JOB EXPLORATION II 3
CCS 00220PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE 1
CCS 00235SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION 3
CCS 00245DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE 6
CCS 00292WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE 6
CCS 00306EMPLOYMENT READINESS I 3
CCS 00307EMPLOYMENT READINESS II 3
CCS 00320PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: JUNIOR 1
CCS 00335SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING 3
CCS 00345DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR 6
CCS 00392WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR 8
CCS 00410EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS 3
CCS 00425MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE 1
CCS 00445DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR 2
CCS 00492WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR 8
CCS 00499PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR 3
Special Topics Electives, choose from the following: 129
CCS 02095
SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LECTURE 1
CCS 02195
SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE LABORATORY
CCS 02295
SPECIAL TOPICS: SOPHOMORE COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY
CCS 03095
SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR LECTURE
CCS 03195
SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR LABORATORY
CCS 03295
SPECIAL TOPICS: JUNIOR COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY
CCS 04095
SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR LECTURE
CCS 04195
SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR LABORATORY
CCS 04295
SPECIAL TOPICS: SENIOR COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students enrolled in special topics courses also will attend sessions of Kent State courses selected in consultation with an advisor. 

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
CCS 00010 INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS I 3
CCS 00020 APPLYING TECHNOLOGY 1
CCS 00025 MANAGING MONEY IN COLLEGE 1
CCS 00035 SELF-ADVOCACY: COMMUNICATION SKILLS 3
CCS 00115 SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-DETERMINATION 3
CCS 00145 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN 3
Special Topics Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Two
CCS 00015 SELF-ADVOCACY: DISABILITY AWARENESS AND THE LAWS 3
CCS 00105 INTRODUCTION TO JOB EXPLORATION 1
CCS 00110 INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS II 3
CCS 00120 PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: FRESHMAN 1
CCS 00135 SELF-ADVOCACY: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS 3
CCS 00145 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: FRESHMAN 3
Special Topics Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
CCS 00205 JOB EXPLORATION I 3
CCS 00235 SELF-ADVOCACY: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND INJURY PREVENTION 3
CCS 00245 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE 3
CCS 00292 WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE 3
Special Topics Electives 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
CCS 00206 JOB EXPLORATION II 3
CCS 00220 PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SOPHOMORE 1
CCS 00245 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SOPHOMORE 3
CCS 00292 WORK EXPERIENCE: SOPHOMORE 3
CCS 00335 SELF-ADVOCACY: HEALTHY LIVING 3
Special Topics Electives 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
CCS 00306 EMPLOYMENT READINESS I 3
CCS 00345 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR 3
CCS 00392 WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR 4
Special Topics Electives 6
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
CCS 00307 EMPLOYMENT READINESS II 3
CCS 00320 PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: JUNIOR 1
CCS 00345 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: JUNIOR 3
CCS 00392 WORK EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR 4
Special Topics Electives 6
 Credit Hours17
Semester Seven
CCS 00410 EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS 3
CCS 00445 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR 1
CCS 00492 WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR 4
Special Topics Electives 6
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
CCS 00425 MANAGING MONEY AFTER COLLEGE 1
CCS 00445 DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: SENIOR 1
CCS 00492 WORK EXPERIENCE: SENIOR 4
CCS 00499 PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING: SENIOR 3
Special Topics Electives 3
 Credit Hours12
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Internships and Practicum

Students work in jobs on- and off-campus to fulfill requirements for practicums and internships. These placements prepare students for an entry-level, competitively paid job after graduation.

Career and Community Studies student Kevin working in the May 4 Visitor's Center on the Kent Campus.
Kevin Pflederer
Career and Community Studies Student

“It feels pretty good to be the first CCS student working at May 4 Visitors Center. I like interacting with co-workers, meeting and bonding with new people and learning about the history of Kent State. People need to realize it was a tragic event and needs to be memorialized."

© 2025 Kent State University All rights reserved.