Schools of Study
Our Curriculum Overview
Learning Without Limits
At College of Adaptive Arts, students build their own college experience through 10 Schools of Study, with courses designed around their interests, goals, talents, and curiosity.
From the arts and technology to wellness, communication, leadership, and career development, our Schools of Study give adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to explore new interests, strengthen skills, express themselves, and continue learning throughout their lives.
Students are not limited to a single School of Study. They can take courses across disciplines and create an educational experience that is uniquely their own.
Business
Build skills for work—and for life.
The School of Business helps students develop practical skills for the workplace and greater independence in everyday life. Courses explore employment readiness, marketing, digital publishing, online safety, and other skills that help students navigate an increasingly connected world with confidence.
Students can explore: employment skills • marketing • digital publishing • digital life skills
Communications
Find your voice. Share your ideas. Connect with others.
The School of Communications helps students strengthen the skills they use to understand the world and express themselves within it. Students explore reading, writing, history, languages, public speaking, social communication, journaling, and storytelling while building confidence as communicators.
Students can explore: reading & writing • public speaking • languages • history • social communication • creative expression
Dance
Move. Create. Perform.
The School of Dance gives students opportunities to experience movement through a wide range of styles and traditions. From ballet and tap to hip-hop, cultural dance, Broadway, and adaptive fitness, students develop technique, coordination, creativity, confidence, and the joy of performing.
Students can explore: ballet • tap • hip-hop • cultural dance • musical theatre dance • movement & fitness
Digital Media Studies
Create, communicate, and tell your story through digital media.
The School of Digital Media Studies gives students hands-on opportunities to explore the tools and platforms shaping today's creative world. Students develop skills in photography, video, digital art, filmmaking, voiceover, pop culture, and on-camera performance while learning new ways to share their ideas and creativity.
Students can explore: photography • video • film • digital art • voiceover • media & pop culture
Health & Wellness
Build healthy habits for a full and active life.
The School of Health & Wellness supports the whole person. Through movement, nutrition, mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and healthy living, students gain knowledge and practical strategies they can use in their everyday lives.
Courses encourage students to discover what wellness means for them while building confidence, self-awareness, and healthy routines.
Students can explore: fitness • nutrition • mindfulness • social & life skills • healthy cooking • dance fitness
Leadership & Civic Engagement
Belong. Participate. Lead.
The School of Leadership & Civic Engagement helps students understand the important role they play within their college and their communities. Students develop self-advocacy, leadership, relationship-building, and civic engagement skills while learning how to participate, contribute, and make their voices heard.
It is also home to Welcome to CAA, helping new students learn about college life and become part of the CAA community.
Students can explore: leadership • self-advocacy • civic engagement • community • belonging • college readiness
Music
Discover your sound.
The School of Music welcomes students at all levels of musical experience. Students can learn an instrument, sing with others, explore different genres and artists, write songs, make music, and experience rhythm through collaborative courses such as drum circle.
Whether performing or simply discovering a deeper appreciation for music, students have opportunities to develop their skills and creativity.
Students can explore: guitar • piano • choir • songwriting • music production • music appreciation • rhythm
Science & Technology
Explore how the world works—and what's possible.
The School of Science & Technology encourages students to investigate, experiment, problem-solve, and discover. Courses range from computers, coding, gaming, and practical math to animals, marine life, climate, and everyday science.
Students develop practical technology skills while exploring the natural and digital worlds around them.
Students can explore: computer skills • coding • gaming • practical math • environmental science • animals & marine life
Theatre
Step into the story.
The School of Theatre gives students a place to imagine, collaborate, perform, and shine. Students explore acting, improvisation, musical theatre, costume and design, audition skills, and theatrical production while developing confidence, communication, creativity, and teamwork. There is a place in theatre for everyone—on stage and behind the scenes.
Students can explore: acting • musical theatre • improvisation • auditions • costume & design • performance
Visual Arts
Imagine it. Make it. Share it.
The School of Visual Arts gives students opportunities to develop their artistic voice through a broad range of media and techniques. Students can explore drawing, painting, ceramics, animation, printmaking, quilting, comics, and more while developing skills and discovering new ways to express their ideas.
The focus is not simply on the finished artwork, but on creative exploration, artistic growth, and individual expression.
Students can explore: drawing • painting • ceramics • animation • printmaking • quilting • comics & sequential art