Program Information

Program Information

Career Studies Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program

In Fall 2015, Penn State Harrisburg initiated this inclusive post-secondary education program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The D.R.E.A.M. Partnership provided a part of the support for the program’s development.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities, ages 18-25, are eligible to apply to the program. Applicants who have not yet graduated from high school may enroll through their school district, charter school or cyber charter school. Applicants who have graduated from high school are also eligible to apply.

The program follows Penn State’s academic calendar. Students enroll in Customer Relations and Life Transitions coursework, academic courses, and engage in campus activities and vocational experiences 20 – 30 hours per week. Full-time undergraduate or graduate students provide academic and social support. A job coach/employment specialist provides vocational support and supports the individual’s career exploration. The semester sequence of the program is below.

 

Customer Relations Introduction BE SC 6000 (semester 1)

Students will:

  • Participate in introductory Customer Relations Curriculum from the National Retail Foundation,
  • Participate in individual person centered planning, vocational planning, and goal setting process,
  • Evaluate job categories via participation in group career field trip experiences and job shadowing experiences,
  • Audit a maximum of one credit course that matches personal and vocational interest,
  • Define self-determination and discuss the principles of self-determination in relation to themselves,
  • Attend at least one official freshman seminar activity and one other campus enrichment event.

Customer Relations Intermediate BE SC 6008 (semester 2)

Students will:

  • Participate in intermediate Customer Relations Curriculum from the National Retail Foundation,
  • Practice Goal Setting;
  • Identify behaviors required to attain goals;
  • Continue to focus on self-determination and personal decision making,
  • Take Customer Service and Sales Certificate practice exams;
  • Audit a maximum of one credit course that matches personal and vocational interest;
  • List personal attributes and vocational interests;
  • Identify work environments compatible with personal attributes and vocational interests;
  • Practice job skills in individualized career exploration; and
  • Attend at least one official Freshman seminar activity and one other campus enrichment event.

Customer Relations Advanced BE SC 6009 (semester 3)

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Recall Customer Service principles from BE SC 6000 and BE SC 6008;
  • Audit a minimum of one credit course that matches personal and vocational interest;
  • Attend a minimum of two campus seminars, or campus enrichment activities;
  • Take NRF Customer Service and Sales exam; and
  • Practice job skills in individualized career exploration.

Customer Relations Practicum BE SC 6007 (semester 4)

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Practice job skills (minimum of 12 hours a week)in a capstone practicum experience that matches students vocational interests;
  • Audit a minimum of one credit course that matches personal and vocational interests;
  • Prepare a capstone project related to the student’s career goals.