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KSHEP

UK College and Career Studies Program

The College and Career Studies (CCS) program is UK’s Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program. CTPs support students with intellectual disabilities who want to attend a college or university to better prepare for employment and independent living.

The College and Career Studies program at UK is part of the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership (KSHEP), whose mission is to increase higher education options, access, and success for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Commonwealth.

Click here to read the UKNOW article about the UK College and Career Studies program.

The College and Career Studies Program at the University of Kentucky

The College and Career Studies program at UK provides students a fully inclusive college experience. With chosen supports and person-centered planning, students will be part of all areas of campus life, from classes and clubs to social events and activities.

Questions about the College and Career Studies Program? Read our FAQ
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What will students do?

With support from the College and Career Studies team, students will work toward their own academic, career exploration, and community engagement goals.

More information and resources for students and families, including information about financial aid, can be found here.
A group of people including two college graduates stand facing the camera.

Next Steps Beyond the CTP Experience, A resource webinar for CTP students, Families and CTP Programs

The Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership will be hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, May 26 at 2:00 PM. Next Steps Beyond the CTP Experience, A resource webinar for CTP students, Families and CTP Programs. Webinar Details Tuesday, May 26, 20263:00 PM Speakers Exploring services that pertain to CTP students and familiesJonathan White – Assistant Director of VR Field Services Living independentlyMegan Kuhlwein- Executive Director, Statewide Independent Living Council Competitive integrated employmentKatie Whaley – Chair, Kentucky Employment First Council Click here to register
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UK College and Career Studies Fall 2026 Application now open.

How to apply for the College and Career Studies Program: The deadline to apply for Fall 2026 semester has been extended to June 1, 2026. If you wish to apply for College and Career Studies program at UK for the Fall 2026 semester, please use this link to get started Undergraduate Application Please read and follow these steps carefully: Once you have created an account and logged in, you will see a dropdown menu for the 2026 application cycle. Select the “Non-Degree Application” and then click on “Create application” to begin. (This option might also be listed as “Open application.”) When you get to the “Applicant Information” screen, under “Applicant Type,” select “New Non-Degree.” Under “Application Term,” select “Fall 2026 (Beginning August 2026).” Complete the demographic and contact info on the next few screens as instructed. On the “Program of Study” screen, select “College and Career Studies (CCS)” as your major choice. (NOTE:
The Lexington Writers Room logo is a blue background with an orange book illustrated like a two-story house. Within the book-house there are people in various stages of reading and writing.

Community Spotlight Podcast – Episode 18: Brooklynn and Pam Dorrel, Lexington Writer’s Room

In this episode, Brooklynn interviews Pam Dorrel, the Community Manager of the Lexington Writer’s Room, a coworking space for active writers in the Lexington area. Transcript [Narrator] Hello and welcome to the Community Spotlight Podcast. Each episode highlights something interesting in the community of Lexington or surrounding areas of Kentucky. The podcast was started by students in the College and Career Studies program at the University of Kentucky. Thanks for listening. [Brooklynn] My name is Brooklynn and I am going to interview Pam Dorrel, the community manager for the Lexington Writer’s Room. Hi, Pam, how are you doing today? [Pam] Hi. I’m doing great. [Brooklynn] All right. So my first question is going to be: So, I got to visit the Lexington Writer’s Room recently. And it is a really cool space. Can you talk a little bit about what the organization is and how it got started? [Pam] Well,
Xins Dinofriend in rainbow colors is holding the end of a rainbow. In the background you can see the words You're So Colorful.

CCS Student Spotlight: Xin Ni

The College and Career Studies (CCS) program would like to spotlight Xin Ni this month. Xin is in her second year in the CCS program. Xin’s main passion is drawing comics. She creates her own comic called DinoFriends, which she posts regularly on Instagram. With this comic, she has made a whole world of colorful characters who explore various aspects of life together. Xin is taking three classes this semester: Writing Comics, First Aid and Emergency Care, and Practicum in Universal Design. In all of these classes, she is using her art skills to learn and share more about those topics. For Xin’s practicum project this semester, she is working with the Graphic Medicine Resource Lab to explore how comics can make healthcare topics more accessible to a wider audience. Graphic medicine is also a field that examines people’s lived experiences to understand health issues better and help improve outcomes

College and Career Studies @ UKY

To learn more about this program, complete the form below

Alternatively, contact our team directly Erin Fitzgerald at Erin.Fitzgerald@uky.edu or Johnny Collett at Johnny.Collett@uky.edu