Rock Life Program

Slippery Rock University's Rock Life Program is a Post-Secondary Education Program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which includes autism spectrum disorder.

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Rock Life: Dr. Natalie E. Burick

Assistant Director of Rock Life: Mr. Zachery Brown

Rock Life Program Coordinator: Mr. Roman Carnes

Our campus community, faculty, staff and coaches help to support each student as they are provided with the college experience.

The four pillars of this program include:

I - Academic Enrichment

Rock Life is a non-degree seeking program, which means the students are taking classes without working towards a full degree. To qualify, students must have earned/accepted a high school diploma and meet all other admission criteria (mild intellectual and/or developmental disability as defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities). Rock Life is a program in which students attend and audit traditional academic classes and participate in an inclusive college experience. Rock Life is a four-year program to support student’s interests, needs, and goals.

Students can enroll in classes for auditing. If a student wished to enroll for credit, they must meet all university admission criteria and would transition out of rock life to a fully degree seeking student. Courses for credit are taken just as traditional SRU (Slippery Rock University) students, all course work and exams are completed to receive a final grade. When students are auditing the student does not receive a grade and attempts 100% of the course work with modifications.

II - Career Exploration

In addition to attending classes, students in Rock Life will be given the opportunity to engage in campus work to expand the college experience. Program coordinators and college coaches will assist each student in the process of applying and exploring campus jobs in their area of interest. Students are encouraged to work a minimum of two semesters while in the Rock Life program, typically beginning in year two of their experience. Campus job exploration is based off availability of positions and student’s abilities. Students will complete an internship experience in their area of interest in the final year of their Rock Life experience.

III - Health and Wellness

The Rock Life Program focuses on lifelong health and wellness for the students. Students are offered opportunities to participate in Unified Fitness (a partner-based exercise program), intramural sports and recreational activities. Students must participate in a minimum of one physical activity option each semester they are enrolled in the Rock Life program.

IV - Social Engagement

Rock Life students participate in fully inclusive social programs on the University's campus. Students are required to get involved with a minimum of one club or organization on campus. Students must also participate in multiple social events each semester. Planned social events include both a social activity and independent living skill building. A social calendar is shared with all students and parents to start the semester.

Our Mission:

Slippery Rock Universities (SRU) Rock Life program is a recognized comprehensive transition and postsecondary program (CTP), that provides a 4-year, non-degree, certificate-based experience, for students with intellectual disabilities. Rock Life creates an on-campus environment of individual autonomy, by providing intentional person-centered programming, in four foundational areas: academic enrichment, social engagement, wellness, and competitive integrated employment; allowing our students to experience a robust and inclusive college experience.

Rock life is committed to supporting the vision of SRU: “Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world.”

*Rock Life students taking coursework for credit must meet all the individual degree requirements.

Additional Information:

Housing/Commuting Options:

On Campus:

Rock Life students are given the option to live in Watson Hall in the Rock Life Living Learning Community (LLC). These LLC’s are designed for students of a similar interest to live on the floor together. Watson Hall has the Rock Life LLC, Education LLC and Honors LLC all living in the same building. LLC's are popular housing options at Slippery Rock and are shown to increase retention rate for the students.

Commuters:

Rock Life students are eligible to commute to campus and receive the same amount of support an on-campus student would receive in terms of college coaching. Commuters are still expected to work on skills in all four of the Rock Life pillars.

Rock Life Fees:

Rock Life fees are listed below and are subject to change at any time.

Please note, all Rock Life students are charged a Rock Life program fee, SRU tuition/fees, Room and Board. Program fees and tuition costs may vary for each student depending on commuter status and number of credits audited. Additional information can be located on the SRU tuition and fees page and housing information page.

Estimated Tuition	Estimated Fees	Rock Life Fee	Room	Dining Plan	Totals
$322.00 per credit (1932.00 for 6 credits)	$691.38 for 6 credits	$3,850 per semester for on-campus students and $2,000 per semester for commuter students	$4073.00 for 4 single suites, per semester	$1696.00 per semester	$12,242.38 per semester

Interested in Applying?

Our application for Fall 2026 is now open. If you are interested in touring or would like to set up a meeting via Zoom, please email rocklife@sru.edu.

The application is listed below:

Rock Life Application

Please note, our application is a PDF and needs to be turned in via USPS mail or emailed to rocklife@sru.edu.

Rock Life Application Dates	Dates
Due date for applications	January 15, 2026
Interview dates	January-February, 2026
Date to notify of acceptance	Mid-March 2026

Rock Life Open House

Rock Life will be hosting an open house event:

Wednesday, April 22nd – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

If interested in the open house days, please RSVP by emailing rocklife@sru.edu.

Contact Info:

Dr. Natalie E. Burick
724.738.4810
natalie.burick@sru.edu

Zachery Brown
724.738.4739
zachery.brown@sru.edu

Roman Carnes
724.738.2489
roman.carnes@sru.edu

For general Rock Life inquiries, please email rocklife@sru.edu

Services for Students with Disabilities