40+
Years of Support
5
Levels of Support
Unlimited
Opportunities for Growth
PROGRAM SERVICES
The PLUS Program is designed to support your success as a whole student. At Muskingum University, the PLUS Program provides individualized academic support for students with learning differences, helping you build the skills you need to succeed in college and beyond. As a fee-for-service program, PLUS offers five levels of support so you can find the option that best fits your individual learning needs.
SERVICES
Individualized support from Professional Learning Specialists:
- Strengths-based
- Academic monitoring
- Academic planning
- Academic support and strategies
- Course content tutoring using various learning styles
- Career planning/preparation
- Executive functioning
- Self-advocacy
- Transition support
Small Group Tutoring:
- Confidence building
- Speech/presentation practice
- Collaborative learning
- Social skills
- Social norms building
Structured Study:
- Writing support
- Accountability
- Body-double
- Review sessions
- Student success workshops
One-on-one support from peer mentors:
- Communication/social skills
- Independent living
- Campus Involvement
LEVEL OF SERVICES
Each student may select the level of service that best meets their unique learning needs. Each level of service has a specific fee which is added to the student’s Muskingum University bill and may be calculated into the student’s financial need.
Within the time level selected students will receive the supports that best meet their unique learning needs which may include executive functioning, academic tutoring, conflict resolution, social navigation, small group tutoring, structured study, etc.
Updated Levels (as of Fall 2026)
PLUS Level 5 – Maximum of 5 hours of scheduled individualized support
PLUS Level 4 – Maximum of 4 hours of scheduled individualized support
PLUS Level 3 – Maximum of 3 hours of scheduled individualized support
PLUS Level 2 – Maximum of 2 hours of scheduled individualized support
PLUS Level 1 – Maximum of 1 hour of scheduled individualized support
Academic Support
To support students’ learning of course content and academic progression in a degree plan, Learning Specialists are actively involved in the student's academic progress and individualize methods to meet each student’s learning needs.
- Individualize tutoring strategies using various learning styles
- Identify each student’s strengths to encourage an appropriate selection of courses
- Monitor academic progress throughout each semester
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS
Executive functioning skills are the mental processes that enable students to successfully manage themselves and their resources to achieve a goal.
- Self-control – regulate emotions and control behavior during stressful situations
- Working memory – manage multiple and complex tasks
- Cognitive flexibility – adapt to new tasks quickly
Since executive functioning skills can be challenging for many students with learning differences, Learning Specialists work with each student to develop skills essential for success in college and life beyond college.
- Stress management
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Planning for multiple or large tasks
- Memory strategies
Transition Support
Students at all PLUS Program levels receive support during their transition from high school to college as well as college to career. Learning Specialists work with each student’s unique needs to promote student independence through the development of skills essential for success in college and a future career.
- Self-advocacy is understanding one's learning needs and communicating those needs to others.
- Self-determination is the setting of goals, making decisions, and taking action to reach the goals.
CAREER PLANNING AND PREPARATION
The PLUS Program is committed to helping students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college as well as life beyond Muskingum University. To support students’ preparation for the job search process, the PLUS Program collaborates with Muskingum University's Impact Center to plan and host workshops related to resume writing, job/internship application, and interviewing skills. Many of these workshops are held to prepare students for opportunities such as the nationwide Workforce Recruitment Program process for paid internships and employment.
LEAP
For students wanting to get an early start on their transition to college, the PLUS Program offers LEAP.
Students registered in LEAP will start their freshman fall semester two-weeks early using a blended format to explore the technology, the expectations of a college course, moving to campus a week early, learning to navigate the campus, and much more. For more information, check out PLUS Program Additional Services.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
According to their selected level of service, each PLUS student meets regularly with assigned Professional Learning Specialists who support the student’s individual learning needs, monitor academic performance, and provide content tutoring using various learning modalities.
- Possess a Bachelor’s or Master's degree in education and/or academic related fields
- Are knowledgeable about learning differences and diagnosed disabilities
- Are skilled in the customization and application of learning strategies for students who learn differently
- Are skilled in collaborating with faculty, academic advisors, and families on behalf of their assigned students
FIND THE RIGHT LEVEL FOR YOU
The PLUS Program offers personalized support designed around you. As a fee-based program, it provides five levels of service to match your individual learning needs. You’ll meet regularly with a Professional Learning Specialist who helps you build effective strategies, strengthen your understanding of course content, and develop the skills you need to succeed in college.
EMPOWERING YOUR GROWTH
The PLUS Program is designed to empower you, not do the work for you. You’ll build on your strengths, shift your mindset, and take control of your learning. With support from PLUS Learning Specialists, you’ll develop the academic and personal skills needed for confidence, independence, and success in college and beyond.
Find the level of support that fits your learning style and helps you succeed at Muskingum!
SUPPORT THAT MATTERS