Excel at Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
Excel at Georgia Tech
404 Kendrick Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
404 Kendrick Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Ken Surdin |
| Program Contact Email | excel@gatech.edu |
| Phone | 4043858157 |
| Website | Program website |
| link to program Facebook page |
Expanding Career, Education, and Leadership for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The EXCEL Program offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology is a four-year college program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) leading to two separate Certificates. Excel is a unit within the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), which is housed within the Office of the ProvThe first is a Certificate in Academic Enrichment, Social Fluency, and Career Exploration and the second is a Certificate in Social Growth, Leadership, and Career Development.
Excel provides a structured, supportive, and inclusive postsecondary educational opportunity and addresses the full scope of the needs of this population from fundamental academics to social activities and vocational preparation. The program activities are categorized into one or more categories: academics, social fluency, independent living, career exploration, and development.
Program information submitted: January 11, 2023
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: | Have graduated or exited from high school |
| Number of students: | 25 |
| Summer program name | Excel Summer Academy |
| Description of our summer transition program: | The Excel Summer Academy (ESA) is an opportunity for prospective students to experience a week in the life of an Excel student. During the week, campers will get the opportunity to take part in activities that will provide them with a better understanding of what college is like. Activities include a Campus wide scavenger hunt Improv w/ Autism Improvised Career Panel w/ former and cureent Excel students Introduction to Coding w/ Microbits Design Thinking Exercises Health and Wellness with Georgia Tech's Nutritionists Cooking Sessions Team Building at Georgia Tech's Leadership Course CRC Tour Exploring Atlanta (previous camps have gone to the Atlanta Zoo, World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, or Civil Rights Museum) GT Athletics GT Spirit and Traditions with the Reck Club And much more.... The camp is a weeklong day camp focused on rising high school junior, seniors, or recent graduates with I/DD. The ESA also offers an opportunity for campers to meet current Excel students, mentors, staff, and potential classmates. In addition, the ESA allows staff to get to know the campers better, which may take some pressure off the interview and application process. Whether you’re still in high school or already accepted to start in the Fall, the camp allows students to get more comfortable with campus, build relationships, and experience what Excel would provide as a full-time student. |
| Summer program link: | Excel Summer Academy |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| Regular high school diploma required? | Yes, a regular high school diploma or GED is required |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | Priority review of completed applications will be given to those who applied prior to March 1st, 2023. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be considered in the order they are received, and on a case-by-case basis. |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| Criteria for admission |
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| Accepts out-of-state students? | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length: |
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| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: | 29.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 80.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: | $19640.00 |
| Room and board: | $12000.00 |
| Additional costs: |
$0.00 Books, transportation to and from job and internship sites, entertainment |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | Yes |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Scholarships available: | Excel Freshmen Scholarship of Excellence- a merit-based scholarship Coca Cola Scholarship |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Typical college courses for credit |
| More about course access: | The Excel program offers two certificates earned over the course of 4 years: Academic Enrichment, Social Fluency, and Career Exploration Earned at the end of the 2nd year Social Growth, Leadership, and Career Development Earned at the end of the 4th year Excel students participate in a combination of 4 Excel courses and inclusive courses each semester, totaling 12 credit hours (see 4-year grid). Throughout the four-year program, students take several Excel courses that extend fundamentals, reinforce social skills, introduce independent living skills, and initiate career development. Excel courses include content in: Functional Reading and Writing Comprehension Health and Wellness Financial Literacy and Money Management Interpersonal Communication/Social Skills (PEERS Curriculum) Community Engagement Project-Based Learning Leadership Skills Career Exploration and Preparation Preparing for After-College Transitions In addition to the course specifically designed for Excel students, they will also take inclusive courses alongside degree seeking students. Inclusive course expectations are modified by the students' Academic Advisor who determines the appropriate modifications to the curriculum and course expectations. Inclusive courses are identified for each student on an individual basis to meet the student's interests and career goals identified in their person-centered planning meetings. List of inclusive courses our students have participated in: (insert PDF here) Students are supported in their academics through a peer-tutor program. Undergraduate students in each inclusive class are trained by the Excel program to work individually with students to provide assistance in learning the course material. Students also have the opportunity to complete coursework during a study hall staffed by Teaching Assistants specific to the Excel Program. Throughout the four-year program, students take several Excel courses that extend fundamentals, reinforce social skills, introduce independent living skills, and initiate career development. In addition to the course specifically designed for Excel students, they will also take inclusive courses alongside degree seeking students. The Excel student’s Academic Advisor will determine the student’s level of competency and provide a modified course syllabus for credit toward their certificate. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Throughout the four-year program, students take several Excel courses that extend fundamentals, reinforce social skills, introduce independent living skills, and initiate career development. In addition to the course specifically designed for Excel students, they will also take inclusive courses alongside degree seeking students. |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | 50-74% |
| Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? | Yes |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | The EXCEL Program offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology is a four-year college program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) leading to two separate Certificates |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university? | Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE |
| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students? | Supply Chain and Logistics, Fork Lift Operations Certifications, Computer related software certifications, etc. |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 100% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 100% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | OFF CAMPUS INTERNSHIP SITES Advanced Information Technology Virtual Internship Advanced Manufacturing Virtual Internship AMAC Accessibility Solutions/Tools for Life Ansley Golf Course Aramark Atlanta History Center Atlanta Humane Society Bark and Board Bark at the Ark Barnes and Noble Battle and Brew Ben Massell Dental Clinic Burdell's Camp Run A Mutt Campbell-Stone Buckhead Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Center for Leadership in Disability - GSU Center Stage Children's Museum of Atlanta CHOA - Egleston Volunteer City of Atlanta - Athletics Department City of Atlanta – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) CNA Clinical COVID 19 - Temporary Nurse Aide Training Program Criminal Records Custom Print Services Dad's Garage Decatur CoWorks DGX (Dollar General Express) Early Learning On-line Training Engineering for Social Innovation Center Enterprise Holdings Fernbank Museum Fulton County External Affairs Fulton County Goverment GALEND Georgia Aquarium Good Measure Meals Goodman Decorating Company Goodwill - Forklift Training Grady Hospital Hampton Inn - Atlanta Georgia Tech Hands on Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport High Museum Hirsh Academy Hotel Indigo - Atlanta Midtown IK Hoffman IK Hoffman - Lufthansa Cargo Warehouse Kroger LA Fitness LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Masquerade Mercedes Benz Stadium Micro Electronic Research Center MLK Aquatics Center Nanotechnology SENIC Outreach National Center for Civil and Human Rights Paper Making Museum Paradies Lagardee Piece of Cake Piedmont Park Conservancy Polymers International Post Office - Central Processing Prospect Air Publix Randall Brothers RISE Coffee & Tea Rocky Mountain Pizza Roswell Presbyterian Church Preschool Roswell Provisions Rural Sourcing Inc. Safe Haven Senior Living Signature Healthcare of Buckhead Six Flags Sodexo State Farm Arena Steel City Pops Student Center Event Planning Operations Suntrust/Truist Park TA Intern - Self Awareness The ARC of Georgia The Children's Campus The Cottage School The Elaine Clark Center The Frazer Center The Goddard School - Chamblee The Howard School The Phase Family Learning Center TopGolf - Midtown Trees Atlanta Village Park Senior Living Center Virtual Alternatives Walgreens - Sandy Springs WES Wing Zone Woodruff Arts Center Yogli Mogli Zoo Atlanta |
| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 100% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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