48 Woodbridge Street
South Hadley, MA 01075
| Program Contact | Jacqueline Deiana |
| admissions@berkshirehills.org | |
| Phone | 413.540.9720 x 202 |
| Website | http://www.berkshirehills.org |
Berkshire Hills Music Academy is not a program of an accredited institution of higher education. It does provide a post-secondary transition program as well as a long-term graduate program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. BHMA offers a music-infused, "college-like" experience via the Two-Year Certificate Program for young adults between the ages of 18-30. Students reside in our dormitory or attend as day students, and participate in programming aimed at increasing their independence in the areas of life skills, social skills, and vocation. Many of our graduates choose to remain within our community as members of the LIVE (Long-term Independent Vocational Experience) program. All of our programming is complemented by daily music offerings that engage and motivate our students. The typical BHMA student has a diagnosis of a cognitive disability, a full scale IQ of 50-80, loves music, and is seeking a college-like program that will further their abilities and increase independence.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Private |
| Type of school: |
Life skills, job skills, music, arts, community |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: |
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| Number of students: | 65 |
| Description of our summer transition program: |
The optional eleven-week Summer Extension Program is open to students who have completed at least one year of our Two Year Certificate Program. There is an additional fee for the Summer Extension Program. Courses and offerings are a continuation of our academic year, and serve as a bridge for students who benefit from structured summer programming to retain skills. |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to apply to this program: | Rolling admissions |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Requirements for admission to this program: |
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| Accepts out-of-state students: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | Varies from student to student |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Tuition amount: | $50,000.00 |
| Room and board: | $19,500.00 |
| Program specific fees: | $1,500.00 |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
|
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Students do not take typical college courses |
| More about course access: |
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| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
All students participate in a streamlined, strucutured curriculum for two years rooted in functional academics; the third year and beyond are designed based on the goals and needs of the individual. Only students in our programs attend BHMA classes. |
| Classroom/academic time spent only with other students in this program: | All of the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Achievement |
| The credential(s) is/are: | Just for students in this program |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 50% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 80% |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of time spent only with other students in this program: | All of the time |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
Best Buddies, The Boltwood Project, Special Olympics, gym & swimming outings, clubs: self-advocacy, languages, baking, hiking, movies and other student-driven groups |