Admissions / Admissions Criteria

Shepherds College serves individuals with intellectual disabilities such as significant learning, cognitive, and developmental conditions, whose disability impacts their ability to access course content without a system of educational supports and services.

Occupational Program Admissions Criteria

Candidates for admission will need to meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age by August 31 of the year they start Shepherds College. (Note: Students not 18 at the start of the school year will need housing adjustments at the start of the school year.) 
• Have completed four years of high school education, preferably culminating with a high school diploma or certificate of completion* (Note: Only students with a high school diploma or GED are eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.)
• Have a diagnosed intellectual/developmental disability, or significant learning challenges
• Have successfully completed an overnight and classroom visit* The application review team reserves the right to require additional visits for further evaluation
• Demonstrate academic skills suitable for Shepherds College as determined by admissions’ assessments
• Function with little to no attendant care
• Be motivated and have an eagerness to learn
• Have the ability to receive information and instruction from staff and provide responses and feedback when necessary
• Possess the ability to safely function without direct supervision in the residential setting
• Have acceptable social behavior verified by school, family, or another source
• Be free from communicable diseases
• Have the ability to maintain appropriate professional behavior and perform with minimal supervision at an internship in a competitive business setting
• Have the ability to make the commitment required of an educational/transitional program
• Have a desire to live independently and have a family that supports that goal
• Have minimal medical needs – require no more than 3 hours per week of nursing care
• Agree to abide by the Community Covenant established by Shepherds College
• Provide copies of psychological, medical, and behavioral history*
• Have no current or recent thoughts and/or record of harming self or others
• Demonstrate a history of good citizenship and the ability to follow rules
• Must notify Shepherds College of any and all arrests and/or convictions; Shepherds College will determine eligibility based on the severity of the criminal activity
• Provide three letters of recommendation

Admissions by Exception to the Criteria

Students may be admitted to Shepherds College by exception to the criteria marked with an * at the discretion of administration after a documented review is conducted by the application review team. Students who are admitted by exception will be placed on a student success plan. The student success plan will be developed and implemented by the advising department with input from relative departments. Students admitted by exception will be informed of the exception prior to enrollment. During orientation, the student will meet with his/her advisor to go over the student success plan. The student success plan will be evaluated by the advisor in accordance with the time frame stipulated in the student success plan to determine if the student needs to remain on the plan, be removed from the plan, or have the plan modified.

If the following criteria are not met, the student may be considered for admissions by exception:

• Have completed four years of high school education, preferably culminating with a high school diploma or certificate of completion* (Note: Only students with a high school diploma or GED are eligible to receive Federal Student Aid.)
• Students who meet all other admissions criteria who for personal or family arrangements but did not receive a formal diploma or certificate, that have demonstrated the required academic skill set required by Shepherds College may be admitted by exception.
• Have successfully completed an overnight and classroom visit*
• Virtual interviews and academic evaluations may be used in situations where a physical visit is not possible due to travel restrictions or significant health or safety concerns, students may be admitted by exception. This is determined by the application review team and is only used in special circumstances.
• In the case that a further evaluation is determined and unable to be completed due to travel restrictions or significant health or safety concerns, students may be admitted by exception.
• Has provided copies of psychological, medical, and behavioral history*
• If copies of psychological, medical, or behavioral history are unavailable, students may be admitted by exception if all other criteria is met as determined by the application review team. Shepherds College reserves the right to request an updated psychological evaluation during the student’s enrollment at Shepherds College. 

We would like your child to attend Shepherds College in order to learn and gain Appropriate Independence. If you aren't sure if your child will qualify, please call the Admissions staff. You can reach them at 262.878.6359. We can learn more about your son or daughter as well as answer any additional questions you may have.

Non-Discriminatory Policy

Shepherds College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.