GOAL Program
Academic Department
UNC’s Go On and Learn (GOAL) is an inclusive higher education program at the University of Northern Colorado. GOAL is an opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend college.
Apply to become a GOAL student!
GOAL Program at UNC: Inclusive College Opportunities
Welcome to the Go On And Learn (GOAL) program! If you’re a student with an intellectual or developmental disability, here is your chance to attend college, build your independence, and prepare for a meaningful career.
What is GOAL?
GOAL is a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), approved by the U.S. Department of Education. As a GOAL student, you may be eligible for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and work-study opportunities. Through this program, you will build academic skills, strengthen social connections, and grow your self-determination.
What Can I Expect?
- You will complete a personalized course of study based on your interests and strengths.
- You’ll take a combination of traditional, inclusive UNC courses and specialized GOAL courses that support your learning style.
- You’ll complete 72-80 credit hours with individualized accommodations and modifications to help you succeed.
- You’ll have opportunities to live on campus, engage in campus life, and gain real-world career experience.
- You’ll earn a Credential of Completion from UNC
- You’ll be prepared for competitive, integrated employment at or above minimum wage after graduation.
How Do I Apply?
If you have a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability, you may be eligible to apply. GOAL uses a specialized application process that’s different from UNC’s traditional admissions.
GOAL's 3 pillars
Academics
You will take 8-10 credit hours each semester. This includes one GOAL class and other UNC classes that match your career interests. In your UNC classes, you will complete modified assignments that are made to fit your learning level. These classes will show up on your transcript with a modified grade. You will also take classes from the GOAL Core Curriculum. This includes communication, health and wellness, social sciences, and University 101 to help you build important life and job skills.
Campus Life
You’ll have many chances to join clubs, events, and activities to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Peer Mentors will help you get involved and connect with others. You can live on campus in the dorms, where you’ll gain life skills and live independently with support from Residence Life Mentors.
Career Development
Each semester, you’ll take classes that match your career goals. You’ll explore opportunities through activities like job tours, job shadows, workshops, interviews, and job fairs. GOAL helps you find on-campus jobs, including both paid and unpaid positions.
What is a Comprehensive Transition Program?
A Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) is a college or career school program designed for students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue learning, build life skills, and prepare for employment. These programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Education and may lead to a degree, certificate, or non-degree credential.
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Focus on academic, career, and independent living skills.
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Provide personalized academic advising and a structured curriculum.
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Include meaningful participation in college life alongside students without disabilities.
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Students with intellectual disabilities must spend at least half of their time in one or more of the following:
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Regular credit-bearing classes with nondisabled students.
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Courses audited or taken with nondisabled students.
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Noncredit classes with nondisabled students.
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Internships or work-based learning with nondisabled individuals.
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Learn more about CTPs from Think College! — a national resource on inclusive higher education.
Personalize Your Journey
At GOAL, you won’t follow a one-size-fits-all path. You’ll work closely with the GOAL team to design your own academic and career journey. Together, we’ll create:
- A custom course schedule tailored to your academic level and interests.
- A thriving campus life that helps you make connections and fully experience college.
- A clear plan for meaningful, exciting career opportunities after you complete the program.
Meet our Staff
Christina Ruffatti
Executive Director
Laura Anderson
Associate Director
Paul Granito
Outreach Ambassador
Noah Fuller
Outreach Ambassador
Adaptive technology resources
University Libraries
Disability Resource Center
We work together with the entire campus community to eliminate barriers, increase accessibility, and foster inclusive environments through education, resources, and personalized support.
- DRC@unco.edu
- 970-351-2289
- Michener L-80 Campus Box 139
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find your registration date in Ursa every semester: Click on “Your Date to Register” under your Registration Section. You can register at 7 am on that date IF:
- you have met with your advisor,
- you have your PIN (the number your advisor gives you)
- and have no Holds on your account: learn more about Holds and Registration Errors.
Your registration date is based on how many credits you have earned. As you get closer to graduation, you can pick out classes earlier. If this will be your first semester as a UNC Bear, you will register during the New Student Registration Sessions or with your Transfer advisor.
You can register for new courses through the Add Deadline without additional paperwork. Some classes have a “late start” or “special term,” which means they begin after the start of the semester. If you are considering a special term course, look for the add and drop deadlines for that class.
You can now view a list of the current and upcoming LAC course offerings each semester.
If you have questions about LAC course offerings or your plan to complete your LACs, reach out to your advisor.
Your advisor helps you with this process. Talk to them about your options and why you want to change, and they can get you connected to the right people for your new major or minor. You can also talk with the Center for Career Readiness about career paths and majors or minors associated with those jobs.
Look at the college website for more information on your new major or minor and schedule a meeting with your current advisor for support.
You may have two options if you decide a class is not the right fit: dropping and withdrawing. Dropping a course means you are removed from the class without it showing up on your transcript or tuition. Withdrawing means you are removed from the class, and a “W” shows up on your transcript. Dropped and Withdrawn classes do not impact your GPA, but may impact your financial aid. You will not receive tuition refunds from withdrawing.
The general Drop deadline for Fall 2024 is Monday, Septmeber 9th. If you miss this deadline, you need to talk with your advisor and may need to withdraw from the class.
The Withdraw deadline for Fall 2024 is Friday, December 6th. If you miss this deadline, you need to talk with your advisor and your professor about options for finishing the class.
“Short Courses” or special term courses that begin or end in the middle of a semester may have a different deadline.
If you want to withdraw from ALL classes, you need to call or visit Bear Central.
You should follow the plan your advisor gives you, reference the catalog for your degree and year, and use Degree Works to keep track of your degree progress. Your advisor can review your Degree Works and Catalog requirements with you to plan out the next set of courses to consider.
You can access Degree Works through Ursa by clicking on “Degree Works” under your Student Applications sections. In Degree Works, you will see:
Green Checks for completed courses
Blue Half-Circles for classes in progress or that you are registered for
Red Circles for requirements you still need
Other notes about your degree
Ask your advisor if something doesn’t seem right in Degree Works, and you have questions about your courses.
Individual Daily Visit Options
The Office of Admissions offers a growing range of individual visit options. In addition to Daily Information Sessions and Campus Tours held twice daily, Monday through Friday (with select Saturdays available), we also offer specialized sessions for transfer students, bilingual Spanish sessions and tours, and Be-A-Bear Fridays exclusively for admitted students.
We encourage all students and families to Customize Your Visit to make the most of your time on campus and in Greeley. Customizing your visit may include meeting with a faculty or staff member from a specific college or school, or exploring opportunities such as the UNC Honors Program.
Explore your options below, register early, and create the personalized UNC visit experience that’s right for you.
We offer Admissions Information Sessions & Campus Tours twice daily (9:00 AM & 2:00 PM) and on select Saturdays (10 AM) throughout the calendar year. Daily information sessions & tours include a brief 30-minute University Overview & Admissions Presentation after which guests will head out on a 90-minute student-led tour of our beautiful campus. Attendees can expect to see a combination of academic halls, student life spaces, and residence/dining locations.
Explore custom visit options before you register and get a more in-depth look at academic programs while you connect with faculty and staff from across the UNC community.
We offer special afternoon sessions designed specifically for transfer students. Attendees will experience a 30-minute Admissions Presentation tailored to the transfer student journey (students who have enrolled in college after completing high school) followed by a 90-minute walking tour. The tour will highlight academic spaces, student life areas, and key resources. An optional stop at a residence hall will also be available.
Transfer-specific information sessions are currently offered on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
UNC offers bilingual experiences to help you and your family feel at home. Take a Spanish Campus Tour that includes an Admissions Presentation and guided walk through campus. Attend the free ¡Adelante! UNC event in Spanish or English to learn about admissions, explore financial aid, enjoy brunch, and get volleyball tickets. Or meet bilingual staff and students at a Cafecito event for personal support from Admissions, the César Chávez Cultural Center, and the First Generation Near Peer Program.
Be-A-Bear Fridays are designed to provide admitted students a true taste of life as a UNC Bear! During this half-day visit, students will connect with an admission counselor to learn about their next steps, tour campus (including residence halls), enjoy a free lunch, experience a mock class led by a UNC faculty member, and leave with a special admitted student gift.
Registration is limited to approx. 15 students per session. Parents and guests are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Explore UNC’s campus from the comfort of your home or anywhere you happen to be. Take a guided virtual tour, powered by AI, to explore academic buildings, student life spaces, and residence halls, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes UNC’s community unique.
Customize Your Campus Visit
Make the most of your campus visit and tour experience by customizing your schedule upon registration. Schedule a time to connect with faculty or staff from across academic colleges and units. Explore your interests and get a closer look at campus life. We are excited to offer a growing number of customizable academic experiences. Current options include:
Choose the College of Natural and Health Sciences experience to attend and NHS Overview Session or meet with a faculty member from the program you’re most interested in (note: nursing students are strongly encouraged to schedule a visit with the school of Nursing.
NHS Overview Sessions are now available Monday thru Friday! Faculty and advising center visits are available only on Mondays and Fridays.
School of Nursing: Attendees will have the opportunity to tour our classrooms, labs, and simulation suites and meet with a professor or program coordinator regarding the BSN nursing program.
- Fall 2025 (August-December 12): Offered on Wednesdays
School of Art & Design
Choose this experience with the School of Art and Design to tour our studios and art-making facilities, meet the Director and get an inside look at our award-winning programs. Visit on a Monday or Thursday to see creativity in action and imagine yourself as part of our community. These tours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pick a Date & Start Your Journey
Performing and Visual Arts for Non-Majors
Discover the Performing and Visual Arts as a non-major and see how you can join our vibrant Arts Community. Tour Frasier Hall, explore our professional recording studio and learn about our award-winning programs. These tours are offered on Tuesdays.
Performing Arts Audition Process
Prepare for your School of Music or Theatre Arts and Dance auditions and gain confidence in the process. Learn about in-person and virtual audition options, then tour Frasier Hall to see where your talents could take you. These tours are offered on Thursdays.
Experience the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences by meeting with faculty, learning about our programs, and discovering what makes our community special. Join us on Mondays to take part in this opportunity.
Meet with an advisor at the Monfort College of Business to explore our business degree programs, student support services and professional experiences that help launch successful careers. Plan your visit for Mondays or Thursdays to experience it firsthand.
Meet with a representative from the UNC Honors Program and learn more about our unique University Honors Program, First Year Honors Experience, and Honors Capstone.
- Fall 2025 (August-December 12): Offered on Fridays