What Is Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE)?

What Is Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE)?

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, or IPSE, is a program that helps students with intellectual or developmental disabilities go to college.  These programs help students learn new things, make friends, and be part of college life.  IPSE programs were created to help students do better in school, learn how to live independently, and get ready for a job.

Who Can Benefit from IPSE?

IPSE programs are helpful for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to go to college and get ready for a career.  These programs give students the chance to build job skills by doing internships and working with career counselors.  Some IPSE programs focus on helping students get a specific credential or degree, but others take a more individualized approach.  IPSEs are generally very helpful to the students who join them.  Research has found that students who finish IPSE programs are more likely to get a job than those who don’t join one.  In Georgia, students who finish IPSE programs have found jobs in many different fields, such as healthcare, hospitality, technology, and education.

IPSE programs also help students grow as people.  They can help students find ways to speak up for themselves, make good choices about their future, and handle the tasks of everyday life.  These programs usually work with students living on campus, so they are well positioned to help students learn life-skills (such as time management) and teach them ways in which they can take part in campus social activities.  Through IPSE programs, students get to meet new people, join clubs, and discover new hobbies.

Which Georgia Colleges Have IPSE Programs?

Right now, there are 10 colleges in Georgia that have Inclusive Post-Secondary Education programs.  You can click on the links below to learn more about each school’s IPSE program:

  1. Kennesaw State UniversityAcademy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth
  2. East Georgia State CollegeCHOICE Program
  3. Georgia TechExcel Program
  4. Columbus State UniversityGOALS Program
  5. University of GeorgiaDestination Dawgs
  6. Albany Technical College LEAP Program
  7. Georgia College & State UniversityGC Thrive
  8. Georgia State UniversityThe Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy (IDEAL) Program
  9. Georgia Southern UniversityEAGLE Academy
  10. Berry CollegeThe Berry College Program for Inclusive Learning

Article by: EmilieAnne Misamore and The Autism Toolkit

National Library of Medicine Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8189978/

Sources

https://gcdd.org/news-a-media/making-a-difference-magazine/winter-2025/georgia-s-ipse-schools-the-path-to-inclusion

https://gaipsec.org/

https://gaipsec.org/prospective-students

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/kennesaw-state-university

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/east-georgia-state-college

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/georgia-tech

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/columbus-state-university

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/destination-dawgs

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/albany-technical-college

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/georgia-college-state-university

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/inclusive-digital-expression-and-literacy-ideal

https://gaipsec.org/college-universities/georgia-southern\

 

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