Winthrop University's Think College Program (WTC) offers postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. The program creates customized schedules for each student using a person-centered planning approach. The schedules include traditional courses, internships, and specialty courses to support student development of specific skill sets. The focus of the WTC is to build and strengthen skills in the areas of employment, self-determination, health and nutrition, social networking, and independent living.
WTC is a federally designated Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The certificate and curriculum were approved by the U.S. Department of Education. As a CTP, our students are eligible to complete the FAFSA and receive certain forms of federal financial aid, including Pell grants and work-study funds.
The mission of WTC is to provide an inclusive postsecondary education experience to students with intellectual disabilities to prepare them for competitive employment and active participation in local communities with as much independence as possible.
Traditional Winthrop Courses
Students enrolled in Winthrop Think Colege are required to take 5-9 traditional credit hours each semester. These credit hours are divided into three academic categories: Career Concentration Courses, General Education Courses, and PESH Courses. Students will complete one course in each category every semester. Students audit all traditional Winthrop courses.
Winthrop Think College Program Courses
Students in WTC are also responsible for completing WTCP Program courses each semester. These courses consist of the following topics:
Social Networking
Creating a healthy social network at college is essential to the success of all students. Students in WTC are supported by mentors to join university hosted social events, clubs, and organizations to increase their social network and create happy and healthy friendships with peers.
Living at Winthrop
WTC supports students who want to live on-campus during their career at Winthrop. Students have the opportunity to live independently in Phelps Hall. Students are expected to follow all of Winthrop University's Student Conduct Code policies.
Students in the WTC Program take a variety of academic courses during their enrollment at Winthrop; one or more of these courses are directly related to their career goal. Students build transferrable work skills by participating in on-campus work experiences each semester. These experiences vary from on-campus job shadows, internships, and obtaining student employment positions.
Students in WTC are supported by Employment Mentors in finding on-campus work experiences at anytime during their career at Winthrop. Below is a list of sample previous on-campus work experiences:
We recommend scheduling a campus tour through the Office of Admissions. After your visit is scheduled, WTC will schedule an introductory meeting before or after your campus tour. We look forward to meeting you!
To apply to the WTC Program with a paper application, please print and fill out the Winthrop Think College Application (PDF - 584 kb). The application deadline for the Fall 2024 cohort is January 31, 2024.
Mail the completed application packet to:
Winthrop Think College Program
320-B Withers Building
Rock Hill, SC 29733
To apply to the WTC Program electronically, please complete all forms and surveys below. Completed forms can be e-mailed to thinkcollege@winthrop.edu. The application deadline for the Fall 2024 cohort is January 31, 2024.
Student Application (PDF - 345 kb)
Recommendation 1 - Educator (PDF - 40 kb)
Residency Application (PDF - 466 kb)
For additional information, contact Winthrop Think College at 803/323-3080 or thinkcollege@winthrop.edu.
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