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Female Shep Peer mentor sitting outside chatting with a male Shep student.

NKU SHEP: The College Experience

College is the logical next step after high school for many young people, including students with intellectual disabilities. NKU SHEP (Supported Higher Education Project) gives NKU students the opportunity to access all that a college campus has to offer. It's more than just going to class. Benefits of participating in campus life can include developing new friendships, being a part of a learning community, trying new experiences, and participating in job internships. Skills that can be gained include self-advocacy, problem solving, and new areas of independence, in addition to skills related to a course of study. 

Apply to the SHEP Program

Become a SHEP Mentor

 

Participating in Higher Education

Students in the SHEP program contribute to our culture of connection by bringing their unique perspective to the college campus. When students with disabilities fully participate in higher education, real learning takes place on many different levels. As students, faculty, staff and the entire campus community engage in courses and activities together, everyone gains a greater sense of understanding. 

This initiative is not unique to NKU. It is part of a broader initiative within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a national movement spearheaded by ThinkCollege and the Institute of Community Inclusion.

 

About the SHEP Program

How the SHEP Program Works

After being accepted into the SHEP program, students enter the university as “non-degree seeking” students.  Over the course of their three years in the program, they will complete up to thirty six credit hours, usually by enrolling in one or two classes each semester.  Most students choose to audit their classes, which gives professors leeway to modify assignments to accommodate a wide variety of needs.  Even though students audit the classes, they are expected to attend class on a regular basis and complete assignments. While on campus students also have “career readiness” opportunities, such as internships and individualized volunteer experiences.

A Comprehensive Transition Program:

Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) are federally recognized degree, certificate, or non-degree programs for students with intellectual disabilities that:

  • Are offered by a college or career school and approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
  • Are designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue academic, career, and independent living instruction to prepare for gainful employment;
  • Offers academic advising and a structured curriculum; and
  • Requires students with intellectual disabilities to participate, for at least half of the program, in:
    • Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled students,
    • Auditing or participating (with nondisabled students) in courses for which the student does not receive regular academic credit,
    • Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, non-degree courses with nondisabled students, or
    • Internships or work-based training with nondisabled individuals.

If students with intellectual disabilities are attending a CTP, they are able to use federal financial aid to help pay the cost of attendance.

 

Contact Program Coordinator

You can reach the program coordinator, Emily Hellmane via e-mail at hellmane2@nku.edu or phone at 859-572-6149