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PASSAGE USA

PASSAGE USA
University of South Alabama
PASSAGE USA
UCOM 3100
307 University Blvd.,N
Mobile, AL 36688
Program Contact Alexandra Chanto-Wetter
Program Contact Email passageusa@southalabama.edu
Phone 251-460-7558
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

PASSAGE USA offers a two-year and a four-year college certificate program for young adults, age 18 to 28, with intellectual disabilities at the University of South Alabama. The two-year certificate program leads to the PASSAGE USA Certificate, a credential that is recognized by local employers. Person-centered planning is used to develop an Adult Education Plan (AEP), which contains academic, social, self-advocacy, self-determination, independent living, community engagement, and employability skills. All of our students, with the support of mentors, attend inclusive classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and have jobs on campus starting in their first semester. Starting in the second semester students are placed in off-campus employment, as well. PASSAGE USA's faculty and staff take into consideration the specific career interests, learning, and motivational characteristics of each student to help them transition into adulthood, help them grow, and improve their overall quality of life. Students in the four-year program also receive a certificate after program completion. The curriculum structure is similar to the two-year program. However in addition, students have a residential experience independent of parents and increase their hours of work. Students also choose an Academic Area of Emphasis which is paired with internships in related fields during the final year in the program.

Program information submitted: January 30, 2023

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? Yes
Students in this program: Have graduated or exited from high school
Number of students: 19
Summer program name Summer Postsecondary Education Preview (PEP) Camp
Description of our summer transition program:

PEP Summer Camp offers a 2-night, 3-day camp for high school students (ages 16-18) with intellectual disabilities interested in exploring a postsecondary education experience. Campers will be assigned a private room in a USA residential hall and eat in on-campus cafeterias. At least one male chaperone and one female chaperone per 5 campers will be provided in the residential halls, including direct overnight supervision. Campers will also participate in mini classes and receive an individualized plan detailing the skills to enhance their postsecondary education readiness, independent living, and employment skills.

Summer program link: Summer Postsecondary Education Preview (PEP) Camp
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted
Deadline to apply to this program: Priority deadline November 1.
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
  • physical disabilities, attentional disabilities
Program length:
  • 2 years
  • 4 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 68.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 88.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $14828.00
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $2344.00
Program fees: $155.00
Additional costs: $155.00

Books, school supplies, transportation

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:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Financial Aid
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
  • VA benefits

Scholarships available:

Gaillard/Neville Reynolds Scholarship for PASSAGE USA, a university-based 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 audit
More about course access:

Students register for a co-listed, non-credit course that meets at the same time in the same place as the credit-bearing course.

Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes:

Students take 3 courses each semester that are only for students in the program: one focuses on life skills, one on employment skills, and one is a work experience practicum.

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: Two-Year PASSAGE USA Postsecondary Education Credential for Training in Life and Employment Skills and Four-Year PASSAGE USA Postsecondary Education Credential for Training in Life and Employment Skills
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?

Safe serve

Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
  • Academic advising services (not program staff)
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 37%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 44%
Additional information about career development and work experience:

Work experience hours increase each year in the program

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: No
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 75-99%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Campus events
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Family orientation
  • College/University's Graduation