The Occupational and Life Skills Associate (OLSA) program is a unique four-year program designed for neurodiverse students in the lifePATH® program. Utilizing a supportive cohort model, the lifePATH OLSA program equips students with valuable transferable skills which are applicable to any career path.
Building a Strong Foundation (Years 1 & 2)
During the initial two years, students establish a solid foundation in college-level academics, workforce readiness, interpersonal communication, and self-awareness. These core courses prepare them for success in higher education and the professional world.
Creating Your Path (Years 3 & 4)
The program offers flexibility. Some students, with lifePATH®'s ongoing support, choose to pursue additional certificates or degrees at Lone Star College while they remain in the lifePATH OLSA program. The final two years of the OLSA focus on refining professional skills and applying them in real-world scenarios during Campus Job Shadowing and Community Internships. Students graduate with both the OLSA degree and the Business Operations Certificate (C1), a powerful combination for career readiness.
Program Components
Academic Skills
- Strategies for learning success
- Academic skill development
- Academic decision making
Workforce Skills
- Learn hard and soft skills
- Utilize problem solving
- Evaluate strengths and challenges
- Develop strategies for success
Interpersonal Skills
- Interact with diverse people
- Practice perspective taking
- Adjust behavior based on interactions
Intrapersonal Skills
- Identify emotional responses
- Assess personal motives
- Advocate for needs
- Determine relationship levels
Benefits of the OLSA Degree
- Fully Accredited - The OLSA is a unique four-year degree program accredited by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Southwest Association of Colleges.
- Peer Groups - Students take classes as a group which provides the structure and support needed to increase independence and social interactions, while also promoting community and a sense of belonging.
- Specialized Faculty - OLSA courses are taught by instructors utilizing Universal Design for Learning which supports all learning styles.
- Embedded Certifications - Students completing the OLSA also earn a Level 1 Business Operations Certificate. Extra time for mastery of the course content is integrated into these courses.
- Campus Mentorships - Students are paired with faculty and campus leaders to support soft skill development in the areas of career and workplace readiness during years 2 and 3 of the program.
- Community Internships - Students gain community work experience during year 4 of the program allowing them to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and mentoring experience to the business environment.
- Campus Integration - lifePATH OLSA students are Lone Star College students, participating in all desired campus events, clubs, lunches, and socializing with neurotypical and neurodiverse students.
OLSA Classes
Year 1
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Effective Communication | Business Composition |
| Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience | Career Cluster Research |
| Human Relations I | Human Relations II |
| Self-Awareness & Personal Change | Interpersonal Relationships |
| Academic Readiness & Review I | Academic Readiness & Review II |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Networking & Customer Service | Business Composition |
| Mathematic Essentials | Career Path Explorations |
| Business Computer Applications I | Business Computer Applications II |
| Wellness & Lifestyle I | Wellness & Lifestyle II |
| Academic Readiness & Review III | Academic & Readiness Review IV |
| Campus RAMP I |
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Business Principles I | Business Principles II |
| Principles of Business Management I | Principles of Business Management II |
| History of Integration & Advocacy | Self-Determined Career |
| Transition to Career I | Transition to Career II |
| Academic Readiness & Review V | Academic Readiness & Review VI |
| Campus RAMP II |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| Problem Solving & Decision Making I | Problem Solving & Decision Making II |
| Information & Project Management I | Information & Project Management II |
| Community Internship I | Community & Internship II |
| Stress in the Workplace I | Stress in the Workplace II |
| Academic Readiness & Review VII | Academic Readiness & Review VIII |
OLSA Criteria
IQ Assessment Scores of 70 or above in all four (4) of the below:
- Full-Scale IQ
- Reading Comprehension IQ Achievement Score
- Written Expression or Fluency IQ Achievement Score
- Math Problem Solving or Reasoning IQ Achievement Score
Guardianship
Students who wish to enroll in the lifePATH program must not be under any form of guardianship. All incoming lifePATH students are required to be their own full legal guardians, meaning they must have the legal capacity to make decisions for themselves. While we do accept applications from individuals who have supported decision-making arrangements in place, it is essential that applicants demonstrate their ability to function independently.
Additionally, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of their initial semester in order to be eligible for admission. This age requirement ensures that students are legally recognized as adults and can fully engage in the responsibilities that come with being part of the lifePATH program.
Application Process
- Attend a lifePATH Information Session
- Submit the lifePATH Admission Application
- Submit Full & Individual Educational Evaluation or other Disability Evaluation
- Apply to Lone Star College
- Request accommodations for testing through disability services (If desired)
- Take the Texas Success Initiative (TSIA2) Exam
Campus Locations
LSC-Tomball
Email: TC-lifePATH@LoneStar.edu
Phone: 281.655.3607
Address: 30555 Tomball Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77375
LSC-Montgomery
Email: MC-lifePATH@LoneStar.edu
Phone: 936.271.6149
Address: 3200 College Park Dr, Conroe, TX 77384