College of Education

Career and Community Studies

Certificate Program

Career & Community Studies

PSU campus showing the Shattuck Building and SMSU

Quick facts

  • Pre-baccalaureate, non-degree certificate for students with intellectual/developmental disability
  • Four-year program
  • Inclusive experience with individualized support
  • Currently the only inclusive post-secondary program in Oregon

Career & Community Studies (CCS) is a pre-baccalaureate, non-degree certificate program. We offer an inclusive, four-year college experience for students with intellectual and/or developmental disability. In addition to student services to which all PSU students have access, CCS students receive individualized support for academics, employment, and campus life.

Career & Community Studies is currently the only inclusive, post-secondary education program for people with intellectual/developmental disability in the state of Oregon. We started in 2015 through a federal grant associated with Think College.

Watch a 5-minute overview of CCS.

Contact

ccs-psu@pdx.edu

Meet the Director: Mary Morningstar

Mary coordinates PSU and CCS systems to ensure students are fully included with support for students and staff. She is faculty in the Department of Special Education. Her research includes college and career readiness, teacher education, and secondary inclusive practices.

Three Pillars: Academics, Employment, & Campus Life

A visual overview of the Career & Community Studies certificate program.

1) Academics

  • 9 credits per term; fully inclusive courses
    • Year 1: Freshman Inquiry course (FRINQ) as an introduction to college-level reading, writing and communication
    • Years 2-4: Individualized course of study based on career path
  • Weekly academic coaching with modified syllabus of alternative readings and modified assignments
  • CCS Seminar twice a term, and Career Development & Employment Seminar once a term

2) Employment

  • Career development activities (exploration, assessment and preparation)
  • Competitive integrated employment part-time while in the program
  • Graduate to career-focused employment

3) Campus Life

  • Peer navigation with PSU students exploring campus life
  • Sports, student clubs, and other campus events
  • Volunteering and service opportunities
  • Inclusive campus housing for interested students