Program Information and FAQs

Emory Oaks is a support program for autistic students enrolled at Emory University. Participating students have access to a staff member who we call a Support Navigator (SN). The SN meets with students regularly (e.g., weekly) to get to know the student in terms of their goals, gifts, interests and strengths, and to develop a strong rapport. From there, the SN and the student work collaboratively to identify goals and the SN is there as a support ensure that students indeed access the supports and services that the need or desire. The SN will not only make referrals, but truly partner with the student in getting to know new people and services and advocating along with the student.

You have to have been admitted to Emory University through their typical admissions process and have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. If you do not already have a current diagnosis, please feel free to reach out to our staff for assistance in accessing an evaluation.

We like to think of this as a “menu”, and each student selects different options based on their own goals and gifts as a student and future professional. Common items include:

• Establishing academic accommodations with the Department of Accessibility Services
• Receiving support from the Emory Pathways Center
• Connecting with a neurodivergent, neurotypical and/or career mentor(s)
• Accessing mental wellness supports, including individual counseling and/or medication management from a provider with expertise in autism
• Connecting to peer, student and community organizations with common interests, activities and values
• Academic Coaching supports through the Office for Undergraduate Education
• Training and support for academic departments, student support services, student organizations and the larger community
• And more!

After you have been admitted to Emory University, contact Emory Oaks staff to inquire about next steps. See Prospective Students page to learn more.

Emory Oaks is open to all enrolled students at Emory University. This includes both graduate and undergraduate students on both the Atlanta and Oxford campuses.

Emory Oaks was launched in 2021 via a 3-year grant from the Administration for Community Living. The grant provides funding to continue the Georgia College Transition Partnership (GCTP) and to implement Emory Oaks, the pilot model developed by the GCTP focused on improving employment outcomes for autistic college graduates. As a result, program fees for Emory Oaks are currently waived. In the future, program fees will be approximately $3500 per student per semester, which we hope to offset with funding from other sources to eliminate a financial barrier to accessing Emory Oaks. 

But for now, Emory Oaks is no cost! 

As long as you are enrolled at Emory University, you are able to participate in Emory Oaks regardless of current GPA. 

Yes! Emory Oaks is for degree-seeking Emory University students (i.e., you must be admitted to Emory University) and is not an Inclusive Postsecondary Education program (for more information about IPSE programs, check out the Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium and Think College websites). While participation in Emory Oaks does not guarantee graduation, if you meet all of Emory’s graduation requirements, you will receive your bachelor’s degree from Emory University.