The three-year, apartment living College Program encourages the personal growth of each student through a unique and individualized process. As they participate in independent living skills curricula, Careers Program certificate programming, and social skills instruction, students gain valuable independent living, social, and vocational experiences and begin to develop their community within a real world setting.

Essential life skills such as grocery shopping, meal planning, personal hygiene, finances, navigating public transit, and more are taught in students’ apartments and the surrounding community.
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​MICC takes a holistic approach to independence, with classes covering skills across six areas of competency.

Instruction

College Program Instructors make a commitment to participants and families that participants can rise to the highest level of independence they want to achieve.

MICC does not promise participants will reach or acquire certain skill levels.

Progress goals can be set and supported, but it is ultimately up to the participant to take advantage of the education, resources, and opportunities provided by MICC.

Instruction models:
  • Immersive learning
  • Experiential learning
  • Spiral curriculum
  • Prompt fading model​​

Social Engagement
The Social Engagement team provides participants in both College and Community Programs with opportunities to develop their social skills and peer relationships through electives, activities, excursions, and clubs.

  • Inclusive community with College and Community participants
  • Opportunities to find passions
  • Develop relationships
  • Prevent social isolation
  • Sense of belonging
  • Promote leadership
  • ​Create lifelong memories
Electives are weekly or bi-weekly and curriculum based fun learning around T.E.A.C.H. and fitness.

There are 20-25 activities led by staff both on and off-campus based on participant suggestions.

Excursions are off-campus events offered multiple times a month.

Clubs are participant led on-campus interest groups with the opportunity for off-campus trips.

Advisory

College Program Advisors provide a student-centered, safe, and accepting relationship that supports student growth through skills coaching, regular self-reflection, and goal setting.
  • 1:1 for one-hour weekly
  • Structured
  • Collaborative
  • Goal-driven​
Objectives:
  • Identify and set SMART goals
  • Practice identifying solutions to their own problems
  • Develop personal boundaries in peer relationships
  • Increase awareness of individual impact on others
  • Implement chosen coping mechanisms
  • Connect with external providers and resources
  • Develop healthy communication and connections with families
  • Medication management (if applicable)

Student Life

MICC's Expectations​
  • Respectful​
  • Responsible
  • Resilient
Students live on-campus in an apartment with 2-3 of their peers. Apartments are three-bedroom, and include living room, dining area, kitchen, Jack-and-Jill bathrooms, two single bedrooms and one double bedroom. Each bedroom has a closet. MICC provides furnishings.
The Twin Cities metro area of Minneapolis and St. Paul is home to major sports league teams, museums, has one of the most vibrant theater and fine arts communities in the nation, as well as a highly rated, robust parks and trails system. And, of course, our 14,380 lakes.

Four distinct climate seasons provide a number of choices in outdoor entertainment and cultural activities, and both the state and the metro area regularly turn up on Best Places to Live surveys. 

Courses

Students are assessed on their growth and development of skills over the course of the program, with a step-down approach to instruction, that prepares the students for a high level of independence upon completion of the program.

In addition to completing core courses, students are active socially to develop lasting friendships through our Social Engagement Program including participating in on-campus activities, excursions in the local community, elective classes, and retreats.

Students also participate in Careers courses as an exploratory period to learn more about various jobs and industries, and then complete industry-specific courses in their chosen certificate program as well as gain hands-on experience at practicum sites. 
Year One
First-year students' core classes include apartment teaching/home care, healthy living, and independent living as well as Careers and Social Engagement Programs classes and activities.
​Independent Living
  • Apartment Cooking
  • Apartment Cleaning
  • Personal Care and Hygiene
  • Transportation​
Health and Fitness
  • Menu Planning
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Exercise for Life
Electives
  • Personal Lifestyle and Wellness
  • Physical Fitness and Health
  • T.E.A.C.H.
Math and Finance
  • ​Budgeting and Banking​
Social Skills
  • ​Social Skills
  • ​Social Specialty​
Jobs and Employment
  • Career Exploration
  • Computer Literacy
  • Workplace Communication
  • Workplace Safety
  • Certificate Exploration
  • ​Specialized Skills
Resources and Supports
  • ​Advisory
  • Personal Supports
  • Apartment Circle
  • Social Engagement​
  • Activities of Daily Living Support
  • Medication Coordination (if applicable)
  • Crisis Management (if applicable)
Year two
​Second-year participants continue to gain valuable social experiences and being to develop their own communities within an ever-changing "real world" setting. Courses continue to guide participants in developing their activities of daily living skills, which are a key component to building independence and a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life.
​Independent Living
  • Apartment Cooking
  • Apartment Cleaning
  • Transportation
Health and Fitness
  • Menu Planning
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Exercise for Life
  • Holistic Health
Electives
  • Physical Fitness and Health
  • T.E.A.C.H.
Social Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Social Specialty
Math and Finance
  • Personal Finance
Jobs and Employment
  • Pre-Employment Development
  • Certificate Skills
  • Practicum
​Resources and Supports
  • ​Advisory
  • Personal Supports
  • Apartment Circle
  • Social Engagement
  • ​Grocery Store Transportation
  • Medication Coordination (if applicable)
  • Crisis Management (if applicable)
Year three
​The ability for participants to be employed and maintain employment, so they may live independently, is the heart of our program. Year 3 courses provide participants with the skills necessary to navigate the job search and interview process, build and maintain the understanding of apartment living, and prepare for the successful transition to independence. 
Independent Living
  • Apartment Cooking
  • Apartment Cleaning
Health and Fitness
  • Menu Planning
  • Exercise for Life
  • Holistic Health
Electives
  • Physical Fitness and Health
  • T.E.A.C.H.​
Math and Finance
  • Personal Finance
  • Rent Wise​
Social Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Social Specialty​
Jobs and Employment
  • Employment Support and Retention​
​Resources and Supports
  • Advisory
  • Apartment Circle
  • Personal Supports
  • ​Social Engagement
  • ​Careers Placement/Retention Services
  • ​Senior Transition Planning
  • Community Center Access and Events
  • ​Personal Wellness/Home Safety Checks
  • Transportation Supports
  • Grocery Store Transportation
  • Medication Coordination (if applicable)
  • Crisis Management (if applicable)
Careers Program - Century College Certificates
Certificates are offered by the Careers Program to junior College students as a training program to give them the skills and experience they need to feel confident and ready to start employment. Students are supported by Careers instructors in choosing their certificate program based on their strengths and interests. There are currently four certificates to choose from, each with their own unique practicum sites where students volunteer under the direction of employees to gain hands-on experience in the industry.
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Health Services
  • Culinary

Each certificate is accredited by Century College by Vocational Program Consultants as part of their Continuing Education and Customized Training Program. Certificates are granted contingent on an in-depth annual audit that looks at curriculum, learning objectives, and resources created and maintained by Careers instructors.
“Century College is proud to certify these programs as they reflect some of the best instruction of its type in the country.”
“...these programs were found to be well instructed, well-resourced and strong in both curricular structure and instructional technique. The curriculum continues to be among the most complete reviewed for Century College certification. The modifications and adaptations your faculty made to their curriculum and learning experiences in response to the COVID pandemic are impressive!” - 2021 accreditation review

Meet the Team

Anna Hilfers
Director of
​College Program
Stacy Ramseth
College Advisory program manager
Arron Willis
Instruction and LEarning program manager

College Program Admissions

MICC's Office of Admissions is committed to understanding your goals, and helping you to determine if our community is the right fit. Beginning a new journey can be scary, overwhelming, and also exciting. We take an individual approach to get to know each prospective student and their families, and help to support transitioning to the next phase in a young-adult's independent life.

We recommend you begin the application and admissions process early. Our admissions staff will support you in the application process, starting with a guided a tour of our campus, and sharing more about our programs, as well as providing support and guidance through the application process.

To learn more about College Program admissions criteria and required supporting materials, visit Admissions Process page.