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VAST Academy

VAST Academy
Houston Community College
VAST Academy
1301 Alabama, 101b
Houston, TX 77004
icon name
Program Contact Sue Moraska, Director
Program Contact Email sue.moraska@hccs.edu
Phone 713-718-7833
Website Program website
Facebook link to program Facebook page

VAST Academy provides post-secondary transition programs and comprehensive support services, which lead to meaningful credentials, employment and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Opportunities include vocational certificates, pre-college and freshman success bridge courses, career readiness credentials and employment assistance offered through an inclusive, relevant and affordable avenue.

Program information submitted: January 22, 2024

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 2-year community college or junior college
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 145
Summer program name Explore STEM Camps and Pre-College Summer Camps
Description of our summer transition program: The Explore STEM Camps are a partnership with our Center of Excellence in Digital Information Technology and our VAST Academy, funded by Texas Workforce Commission for students with disabilities ages 14-22. We offer 5 STEM Camps one week each where students are introduced to cutting edge innovative technology and STEM Careers through hands on experience with Cloud Computing, Apple Swift Coding, Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence and Build a PC. Our VAST Pre-College Camps are offered to students ages 17-25 who want to get an introduction to college and the VAST Academy through fun and innovative topics that actively engage the students and introduce them to college life.
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: One month prior to each term.
Criteria for admission
  • Student must be 18 or older
  • Age range: 18-25
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have:
  • Intellectual disability
  • Autism
Planned program length 2 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 95.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 98.00%
Cost
Average student tuition and fees for the current school year: $1036.00
Additional costs: $0.00
Course materials fee $134.22 per term gives inclusive access to all e-books and courseware for all their classes each term.
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)
  • Tuition Waivers
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Adult intellectual/developmental disability state agency funds
  • Federal Financial Aid
Scholarships available: The Assistance League of Houston offers scholarships specifically to our VAST Academy students.
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): Students do not take typical college courses
More about course access: VAST Academy is a learning community model offering a two year Continuing Education "Occupational Skills" Career Readiness Certificate. Many students transition to college credit industry specific careers after VAST completing certificates and associate degrees. Work Keys Career Readiness Credential is offered to students while in VAST as well as, credentials of value in Micro Soft Office and other career areas. More and more students transition to college credit courses after completing the VAST Academy Occupational Skills Certificate.
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes: We offer one online class that is open to ALL students and is fully inclusive. Topics vary. This year it is "Today's Technology," and is a non-credit continuing education class.
Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 1-24%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? No
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: Occupational Skills (Career Readiness)
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? Business Technology-MS credentials of value: Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and WorkKeys Career Readiness Credential
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Disability/accessibility services
  • Academic tutoring services
  • Mental health/counseling 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: 20%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
  • Work Study
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 50%
Additional information about career development and work experience: Employment and Career Services is provided by VAST"s Program Director of Employment as well as, the college's Career Services Department.
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
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events
Students participate in these campus-wide events:
  • College/University's Student orientation
  • College/University's Graduation