Student Life

Students live in Lincoln Hall the first year of the program with an encouraged opportunity of living off campus for their second year. Doing so allows them to build skills within the first year of Country Roads and have the chance to practice them while in an apartment or other housing options prior to graduating. This also ensures that they have Country Roads staff to help them as they navigate living off campus for the first time.

Students do NOT have someone with them 24/7 as this is not the purpose of the program.

However, they have many individuals to help them navigate from their first day on campus. All students will have teachers/staff available to them from 9am-4pm MondayFriday while going to classes. Each student also has program specific peer mentors to help introduce them to various campus organizations, activities, and student activities after 4pm and on weekends. The program also provides a 24/7 Teacher-On-Call number for the students in which they can call at any time of day to gain input or get help with anything they may need.

Opportunities Offered

All Country Roads students have the same services and opportunities provided to them that any other non-degree seeking student on campus. Our students also have program specific opportunities provided to them as well to increase their independence and employability.

Coursework

The non-degree certificate program includes a two-year core track focused on independent living skills, transition to campus life, and workforce development.

Courses are divided into four domains which include Independent Living, Social/Communication, Leadership and Occupational Preparation.

Students take anywhere from 15-20 hours of classes each week between the hours of 8am-5pm. Classes are all located on campus.

Fall Year 1 (16.5 hr/week average)

• Country Roads Curriculum Courses (10 hr/week average)
  • Independent Living Skills Lab (1.5 hr/week)
  • Smart Money & Financial Management (50 min/week)
  • Health & Wellbeing (50 min/week)
  • Technology (50 min/week)
  • Writing (50 min/week)
  • Communications (50 min/week)
  • Self-Advocacy & Team Success (50 min/week)
  • Occupational Skills (50 min/week)
  • Mock Classroom (50 min/week)
• Work Placement/Experience Hours (2 hr/week average)
• Special Topic Curriculum (1 hr/week average)
• Tutoring (1.5 hr/week average)
• Peer Mentoring Support (2 hr/week average)

During this semester, students are enrolled only in Country Roads program curriculum courses, which all work to teach skills in the four program domains. They participate in a Special Topics Course to address common barriers and skills involving relationships/communications. They also hear from multiple professionals and go on workplace tours to explore careers prior to starting work-based learning experiences in the spring.

Spring Year 1: (16hr/Week Average)

• Country Roads Curriculum Courses (10hr/week average)
  • Independent Living Skills Lab (1.5hr/Week)
  • Smart Money & Financial Management (50min/Week)
  • Health & Wellbeing (50min/Week)
  • Technology (50min/Week)
  • Writing (50min/Week)
  • Communications (50min/Week)
  • Self-Advocacy & Team Success (50min/Week)
  • Occupational Skills (50min/Week)
  • Mock Classroom (50min/Week)
• Work Experience/Shadowing (2.5hr/week average)
• Tutoring (1.5hr/week average)
• Peer Mentoring Support (2hr/week average)

During this semester students will begin working work experiences. They must work at least 1 hour a week/15 hours a semester, but most work 2-3 hours minimum a week. Some students could look at the option of auditing a course this semester as well, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Year 2: (18.5hr/Week Average)

• Country Roads Curriculum Courses (6hr/week average)
  • Independent Living Skills Lab (1.5hr/Week)
  • Health & Wellbeing (50min/Week)
  • Technology (50min/Week)
  • Writing (50min/Week)
  • Communications (50min/Week)
  • Occupational Skills (50min/Week)
• Work Placement/Experience Hours (2hr/week average)
• First Year Seminar for Credit (2hr/week average)
• Course Auditing (3hr/week average)
• Tutoring (1.5hr/week average)
• Job Coaching (1hr/week average)
• Course Auditing Assistance (1hr/week average)
• Peer Mentoring Support (2hr/week average)

During this semester students will enroll in the First Year Seminar (FYS) course to earn 2 credits outside of their Country Roads Certificate hours. They will also audit a course, which they could potentially attempt for credit as well.

Spring Year 2: (19.5hr/Week Average)

• Country Roads Curriculum Courses (4hr/week average)
  • Independent Living Skills Lab (1.5hr/Week)
  • Technology (50min/Week)
  • Writing (50min/Week)
  • Communications (50min/Week)
  • Occupational Skills (50min/Week)
• Work Experience/Shadowing (3hr/week average)
• Tutoring (1.5hr/week average)
• PE Course for Credit (2hr/week average)
• CDFS Course Auditing (3hr/week average)
• Audited Course (3hr/week average)
• Job Coaching (1hr/week average)
• Peer Mentoring Support (2hr/week average)

During their final semester students have the opportunity to attempt at least 2hrs worth of credits outside of Country Roads Certificate course hours. They will also audit at least one additional course with the option to audit or potentially take an additional course for credit.