College of Education and Human Development
In the News: Mason LIFE
January 21, 2015
In a New Republic story about the White House plan to make community college education free or more affordable, the Mason LIFE program is used as an example of a demographic that is left behind: those with disabilities.
From the article:
...Critics have been quick to point out that although the plan may make tuition more affordable, Obama’s plan doesn’t address the quality of an educational institution or the costs of non-community colleges. But few, if any, have noted how it glosses over an often-underrepresented group: the developmentally and intellectually disabled.
Only in recent years have postsecondary education programs for disabled students started popping up at colleges and universities across the country. Some programs allow these students to attend regular college courses. Others try to provide the traditional college experience—living in dorms with friends, providing internships—but with curriculums catering to the needs of someone with intellectual disabilities.
These programs can be competitive and expensive. For example, annual tuition at George Mason University's four-year LIFE program, which teaches students living and vocational skills, costs $19,750 for in-state students and $25,500 for out-of-state students—not including on-campus housing. A nondisabled GMU student, meanwhile, pays $10,657 in-state and $30,235 out-of-state. And Mason LIFE students don't earn a Bachelor's degree, but rather a Certificate of Completion.
The benefit of such programs is significant...
Click here for the full article.
See also Mason LIFE Students Gain Career Skills through Meaningful Internships, on Mason News.
Mason LIFE student Ryan Gutkowski (L) works in the Congressional office of Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. With Ryan is Andrew Hahn, a Mason graduate student studying Special Education.
About CEHD
George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE, and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, DC, is Virginia's largest public research university.
For additional information:
- CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
- Graduate School of Education: gse.gmu.edu
- Mason LIFE program: masonlife.gmu.edu
Follow CEHD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasonCEHD or Twitter at @MasonCEHD.