UNT ELEVAR Inclusive Post-Secondary Program

UNT ELEVAR (Empower, Learn, Excel, enVision, Advance, Rise) is a four-year inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). Following the definition of the program’s name, ELEVAR [lift, soar, rise, in Spanish], the program’s vision is to empower young adults with ID who wish to continue postsecondary education (PSE) to become self-determined, independent, and healthy adults readied for integrated competitive employment. The UNT ELEVAR program has received U.S. Department of Education Comprehensive Transition Program Accreditation.

Program Contact:

Brenda L. Barrio, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Special Education (Critical Perspectives)

UNT ELEVAR Inclusive Post-Secondary Program (Project Lead)

Educational Psychology Department

College of Education

University of North Texas

https://elevar.unt.edu

Certificate requirements

The ELEVAR certificate requires the completion of 48 credit hours of course work earned with a grade of pass.

Course work, 48 hours of zero-credit courses

Zero-credit courses will include modified assignments tied to both course content and specific career and or life goals. Course of study (48-hour program) will be individually determined in relation to student goals. Satisfactory academic progress will be measured by performance on individually modified assignments.

Internships

Minimum of eight (8) supervised internships related to career goal. Internships can be paid or non-paid. Every internship must last no less than six-weeks and can be completed in one or more inclusive and competitive employment setting.

Workshops, 32 hours

UNT ELEVAR Program semester-long seminar workshops. Semester-long workshops will include assignments tied to course content, career goals, and life goals. Course of study (32-hour program) will be required for all students in the program. Satisfactory academic progress will be measured by performance on individually modified assignments. Additional workshops can be accessed by the student if needed.

Portfolio

Student portfolio of accomplishments is required for completion of the program. Portfolio will include examples of assignments or projects for courses taken; projects for classes/workshops; examples of skills obtained through internships; and may also include examples of leadership or service learning activities on campus or in the community, extra-curricular involvement, etc.