Georgia State University

Public • University

Center for Leadership in Disability
Urban Life Building
140 Decatur Street SE, Suite 140
Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia State University IDEAL logo

IDEAL is an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) program at Georgia State University with a focus on creative media; art, film, theater, and music. Our mission is to prepare students with intellectual disabilities with job skills and employment-readiness while providing access to university education, resources, and support that leads to higher levels of self-determination, meaningful employment, greater independence and a higher quality of life. IDEAL students take classes with other Georgia State University students and receive work experience through internships. Students have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of university life, such as club memberships, athletic events, arts events, and multicultural events.

IDEAL provides a two-year, five-semester course of study wherein students audit courses offered by GSU colleges and academic departments, have the opportunity to participate in work-study and internships, and participate in a variety of extracurricular activities on campus. Both core and elective courses are part of the general undergraduate curriculum. Students participate in these classes alongside their peers with and without disabilities.

Program Features

  • 2 year (5 semester) program, with the option for 4 years
  • Focus on creative media: art, film, theater, and music
  • Students attend 4 credit hours for the first semester, and 6-10 credit hours per semester after that
  • Students graduate with a GSU Certificate of Career Readiness awarded by the College of Education and Human Development.
  • Digital portfolio upon program completion
  • In-Person Pre-Admissions Intensive Programs we have summer programming that is required to attend for incoming students – 8 weeks, twice weekly.

Program Details

Total Enrollment: 30 & Above

Duration: 4 Years

IPSE Grant Eligible: Yes

On-Campus Housing: No

Peer Mentors Available: Yes

Pell Grant Eligible: Yes

Guardianship Admission Policy: Yes, With limits

Requires Meal Plan? No

In-Person Pre-Admissions Intensive Programs? Yes

Campus Style: Urban Campus

Full-Time Semester Credit Hour Requirement: 5-10

Exact Full-Time Semester Credit Hour Requirement: GSU's full-time requirement: 9 Hours for IDEAL, students take 6 credits average, per semester

Average Yearly Program Cost

Approximate total: $14,899.26 as of the 2024-2025 academic year
Tuition for average amount of credit hours per year: $3,579.26
Annual IPSE program fee: $9,000.00 annually (Per Semester: $4,500.00)
Student/Campus fees: $1,320.00

This is the current calculation of cost: GSU has not released updated tuition for 24-25.

University Tuition (6 credit hours): $1789.62
Average of 2 inclusive academic classes per semester
University Fees (6 credit hours): $660.00
Includes student activity, athletic, health, library, recreation, and student center fees

Total In-State Tuition and Fees: $2449.62
IDEAL Program Fee: $4500.00
$6949.62 per semester or $13,899.24 annually

For more information on program cost click here.

*Please note: Tuition and other rates are subject to change, please contact each program directly for the most current information.

Program Contact

IDEAL@gsu.edu

404-413-9573