The Mississippi State University ACCESS Program is a 4-year, residential, inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program dedicated to ensuring students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receive a quality education through experiences in academics, career development, and independent living. Students in the ACCESS Program students have the goal of becoming gainfully employed and living as independently as possible in their communities. Established in 2010, ACCESS became the first post-secondary program in the state of Mississippi providing students with intellectual or developmental disabilities the opportunity to fully engage in the college experience. Upon completion of the ACCESS Program, students will graduate with a Mississippi State University Certification of Completion with an Area of Focus.
Mission
The ACCESS Program is dedicated to ensuring students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receive a quality postsecondary education through experiences in academics, career development, and independent living.
Four Components of ACCESS Program
The ACCESS Program strives to provide the full college experience to students with IDD while focusing on four main components that help ensure successful futures:
- Academics
- Career development
- Independent living
- Socialization
