Get Ready for College

Course Overview

"Get Ready for College: A Resource for Teens with Disabilities" is a free series of online lessons, each focusing on a different aspect in the college preparation, selection, and disability services process. These online lessons contain video presentations and resources that can be used to equip students and others with the knowledge and skills for the transition to postsecondary education. Topics include the differences between high school and college, postsecondary education and training, selecting a college best fit, getting accommodations in college, and what you can do now in high school to prepare for college. If approved by a school division, this online course will satisfy Virginia's virtual course graduation requirement.

Organization of Course

The course is self-paced and divided into eight lessons. Self-paced allows you to have access to narrated, recorded presentations and resources for you to review at your own pace. Please note, this course does not have an assigned instructor, however, at any time, you can visit the course "web board" and post questions you have regarding any of the lesson topics.

Audience

Whether you're a student, family member, educator, school counselor, college disability support services staff, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or an individual with a disability who wants to learn more about going to college, "Get Ready for College" will provide you with the college planning information necessary in the transition.

Students, grades 9-12, who are interested in attending college and have a desire to take a self-paced online class to learn more about the skills and knowledge necessary for postsecondary success.

Teachers and School Counselors interested in utilizing the course content to equip individual students or groups who are interested in gaining information to successfully navigate the college preparation, selection, and disability services process.

Course Certificate

Upon completion of the course in its entirety, you will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion. This requires participants to view the presentations and resources for each lesson. After you have you completed the lessons, please fill out the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is completed, you will be provided with a link for a printable Certificate of Completion.

Number of Hours to Complete the Course

This virtual course will take students approximately 20 hours to view the presentations and complete the activities. For educators and other stakeholders, this course will take approximately 10 hours to complete the presentations and review the resources. Educators who want to use these hours as a professional development activity for recertification will need prior approval from the school division. Each division will be responsible for designating the actual number of points that an educator can earn for participation.

Course Requirements

To participate, you will need a computer with (preferably high-speed) internet access and a soundcard with speakers in order to listen to the lectures (full text transcripts are provided for all lectures and multimedia).