Community and Career Readiness Studies

The Community and Career Readiness Studies (CCRS) Certificate is earned by students participating in the Providing Exceptional Education and Raising Standards (PEERS) Program. The PEERS Program is an inclusive, two year postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities at Boise State University. Students in the PEERS Program are enrolled in Boise State University coursework, taking PEERS specific courses pass/fail, as well as Boise State University courses for credit or as audit (depending on individual student goals). Required coursework includes paid or unpaid job experiences, on or off campus, for at least 6 hours per week during students’ second through fourth semesters. Students in the PEERS Program may be Idaho residents or nonresidents.

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Submit application and admission materials well in advance to ensure that the application is complete by the deadline.

• March 1st – Fall admission only

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Applicants are required to have completed high school (i.e., 12th grade) and earned a diploma, certificate of completion, certificate of attendance, etc. or another credential which recognizes the student successfully participated in K-12 education. A prospective student may apply at any time, though students can only begin the program in the fall semester. Students, and their families, are encouraged to reach out to PEERS Program staff early in the student’s transition process to discuss questions regarding admissions. Students will complete a PEERS Program application and provide a personal statement regarding their postsecondary goals and why they think the PEERS Program will help them achieve their goals. Students, and their parents/guardians if applicable, will also participate in an interview with PEERS Program staff.

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Admission to the program is based on:

• Student being 18 years of age or older
• Student meeting the statutory definition and criteria for “intellectual disability” (ID)
• Student having had experience in work environments (i.e., school-based, community-based, volunteer experiences, internships, etc.)
• Student having taken the SAT or ACT (a minimum score is not required)
• Responses within the application, personal statement, and interview which:

– Demonstrate the student’s interest in obtaining a postsecondary education

-Define how obtaining a postsecondary education will help the student achieve their goals

-State commitment to participating in two concurrent academic years of coursework and work experiences related to the student’s goals

-State commitment to maintaining integrated part-time employment during the student’s final three semesters in the certificate program

-Provides examples of how the student is developing skills for participating in their community and in the workforce                 

-Provides examples of how the student has taken initiative in asking for help when necessary in order to be working toward their goals and to be as independent as possible

-Describes why the student is interested in completing the certificate program at Boise State University        

Community and Career Readiness Studies Certificate

Course Number, Title, Credits:                                                                      

• ESP 100 Community & Career Planning for Success,  3 credits 
• ESP 120 Job Exploration, 3 credits
• ESP 121 Employment Practicum I, 3 credits 
• ESP 122 Employment Practicum II, 3 credits 
• ESP 123 Employment Practicum III, 3 credits 
• ESP 130 Capstone: e-portfolio, 3 credits
• UF 100 Intellectual Foundations, 3 credits

Approved Electives, 0-15 credits 

Total Credits = 21-36