131 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 2325
| Program Contact | Tina Raeke |
| craeke@bridgew.edu | |
| Phone | 508-531-2109 |
| Website | http://www.bridgew.edu/excel |
The EXCEL (Extraordinary Expectations for Career, Education and Life) Partnership program at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is a fully inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students in the EXCEL program share the same experiences as their college peers in the areas of academics, socialization, professional development, and independent living. Students become more independent and actively engaged in creating and living their lives, which actively fosters their self-determination. The EXCEL program partners with local school districts who support transition age students interested in having a college experience. Students who have successfully completed one year in the EXCEL Partnership commuter program, may be eligible to apply for the EXCEL Residence Life program. Residence Life students become fully immersed in BSU’s college life, while still receiving support from their partnering district. The Partnership program is an option for students recommended by their school district. Partnering districts pay for student participation.
Program information submitted: February 25, 2021
| 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: | Are still enrolled in high school |
| Number of students: | 21 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | Carver, Dartmouth, Marshfield, Attleboro, Weymouth, Easton, North Attleboro, Norton, Lakeville, Pembroke, Somerset-Berkley, Hingham, Franklin, Whitman-Hanson, Bridgewater-Raynham, Brockton, Hanover, Silver Lake, Pilgrim Area Collaborative, Duxbury, Sharon |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school? | No, all of our students are still in high school |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | Mid December for the following academic year |
| Criteria for admission |
|
| Accepts out-of-state students?: | No |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
|
| Program length: | Varies from student to student |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 92.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 79.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Program fees: | $8000.00 |
| 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): |
|
| More about course access: | EXCEL students may register for any course offered at BSU, as long as they meet the required prerequisites. Students taking courses for audit are expected to fully engage and participate in all course requirements and skill performance standards to the best of their ability. Students receive support from an Education Coach inside and outside of the classroom. |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | Yes |
| Percentage of academic time spent only with other students in this program: | None of the time |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | EXCEL Partnership Program Certificate of Completion |
| Is the credential IHE-approved? | Awarded by program, not officially recognized by the IHE |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 50% |
| Other career development activities are: |
|
| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 65% |
| We offer the following specialized credentials: | Students work on the development of employability skills in a variety of ways; Community Service, Development of personal career portfolio (resumes, cover letters, references, etc), Job Exploration, Career Assessments, Interviewing skills, Advising from BSU Career Services, Tracking and evaluating employability skills progress on the job site |
| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | No |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
|
| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of social time spent only with other students in this program: | None of the time |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: | BSU Band, Irish Stepper’s Club, Children’s Physical Developmental Clinic, Film Viewer’s Club, BSU Best Buddies, Residence Hall Association, Program Council, Students Accepting a Challenge, Bingo nights, Comedy shows, Open Mic nights, theater events, athletic events, Midnight Madness, Relay for Life, Homecoming weekend...and much more! |