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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.

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About Career and Community Studies

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.

Program Information

Program Description

Full Description

Career and Community Studies is a college-based, transition, non-degree program to prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury and autism (ages 18 and older) for adult life through academic pursuits, peer socialization, and career discovery and preparation. The program integrates inclusive classes, a typical college experience, and a transition curriculum to assist students in achieving adult roles and a quality of life in a community of their choice.

The first year of the program is designed as a foundation with courses covering disability issues, personal development, health and wellness, and literacies. Year two allows students to extend their knowledge and skills in participating in college-level courses and other campus environments. The last two years 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.

The Career and Community Studies Program (CCS) is excited to offer two new two-year programs (Career and Community Studies-College Preparation and Career and Community Studies-Employment Readiness)for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism in addition to the four-year plan of study. The programs are non-degree and require 60 credits to graduate.

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

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 (courses count in major GPA)
CCS 00005COLLEGE ORIENTATION 11
CCS 00010PERSONAL EXPLORATION I: NUTRITION AND PHYSCIAL FITNESS 3
CCS 00015ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE I: DISABILITY AWARENESS 3
CCS 00020TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY I 1
CCS 00025FINANCIAL LITERACY I: BUDGETING PERSONAL EXPENSES IN COLLEGE 1
CCS 00030PHYSICAL EDUCATION I 1
CCS 00035HEALTH AND WELLNESS I: PERSONAL SOCIAL SKILLS 3
CCS 00040GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE I: PREPARING FOR SUCCESS 3
CCS 00105INTRODUCTION TO CAREER EXPLORATION 1
CCS 00110PERSONAL EXPLORATION II: INDEPENDENT LIVING AND LEISURE EDUCATION 3
CCS 00115ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE II: SELF-DETERMINATION 3
CCS 00120TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY II 1
CCS 00125FINANCIAL LITERACY II: BUDGETING PERSONAL EXPENSES AFTER COLLEGE 1
CCS 00130PHYSICAL EDUCATION II 21
CCS 00135HEALTH AND WELLNESS II: HUMAN SEXUALITY 3
CCS 00140GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE II: VOLUNTEERING 3
CCS 00205CAREER EXPLORATION I 3
CCS 00210ACADEMIC SUCCESS I 3
CCS 00235HEALTH AND WELLNESS III: INJURY PREVENTION 3
CCS 00292SOPHOMORE PRACTICUM I 3
CCS 00305CAREER EXPLORATION II 3
CCS 00310ACADEMIC SUCCESS II 3
CCS 00335HEALTH AND WELLNESS IV: HEALTHY LIVING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE 3
CCS 00392SOPHOMORE PRACTICUM II 3
CCS 00405CAREER PREPARATION I: CHOOSING YOUR CAREER 3
CCS 00420ACADEMIC SUPPORT I 3
CCS 00492JUNIOR PRACTICUM III 4
CCS 00505CAREER PREPARATION II 3
CCS 00520ACADEMIC SUPPORT II 3
CCS 00592JUNIOR PRACTICUM IV 4
CCS 00605COMMUNITY LIFE I: PREPARE FOR EMPLOYMENT AFTER COLLEGE 1
CCS 00606COMMUNITY LIFE I LABORATORY 3
CCS 00692SENIOR INTERNSHIP I 1-12
CCS 00705COMMUNITY LIFE II: MAKING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 1
CCS 00706COMMUNITY LIFE II LABORATORY 3
CCS 00792SENIOR INTERNSHIP II 1-12
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
CCS 00196FRESHMAN INDIVIDUAL STUDY 31-3
CCS 00296SOPHOMORE INDEPENDENT STUDY 31-3
CCS 00395SPECIAL TOPICS 41-4
CCS 00396JUNIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY 31-3
CCS 00495SPECIAL TOPICS 41-4
CCS 00496SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY 31-3
CCS 00595SPECIAL TOPICS 41-4
CCS 00695SPECIAL TOPICS 41-4
CCS 00795SPECIAL TOPICS 41-4
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students enrolled in CCS 00005 also will attend sessions of UC 10001.

2

Students enrolled in CCS 00030 and CCS 00130 also will attend sessions of different Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses. 

3

Students enrolled in CCS 00196 will need prior approval from their CCS academic advisor and the topic must pertain to a career field of interest.

4

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
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. 

Learn more about our students' internships in our Student Stories!

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