131 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 2325
| Program Contact | Tina Raeke |
| craeke@bridgew.edu | |
| Phone | 508-531-2571 |
| Website | Program website |
| link to program Facebook page |
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. While partnering districts pay for student participation in EXCEL, families also agree to pay a portion of the cost when students are accepted to live on campus.
Program information submitted: March 11, 2022
| 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: | 15 |
| Affiliates | |
|---|---|
| School district or agency partner: | several districts in Southeastern Mass. Contact for more info. |
| 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 |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | No |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length | 2 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term | 90.00% |
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one | 54.00% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student tuition and fees for the current school year | $8000.00 |
| Annual room and board: | $12500.00 |
| 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: |
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| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities) |
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| 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. |
| Did ALL students in your program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course either for credit or audit? | Yes |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office? | Yes |
| Students take STEM-related courses? | Yes |
| Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities) | 100% |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| 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 |
| Do students earn STEM-related certificates? | No |
| Students participate in these campus-wide events |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 18% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 30% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience | 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: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities |
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