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 |
| 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. |
| Link to admissions process: | Admissions link |
| 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: | 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: |
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| 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: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 37% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| 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 |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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