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 18 – 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 Retail Industry Foundations Curriculum from the National Retail Foundation (NRF). The program consists of three continuing education courses and three exams. Learners should complete at least course one and exam one in their first semester. Once a learner successfully passes all three exams, they will be awarded the Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential.
- 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 minimum of one three-credit academic 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 Retail Industry Foundations Curriculum from the NRF. The program consists of three continuing education courses and three exams. Learners should complete the second and third course and both exams in their second semester. Once a learner successfully passes all three exams, they will be awarded the Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential.
- Practice Goal Setting;
- Identify behaviors required to attain goals;
- Continue to focus on self-determination and personal decision making,
- Audit a minimum of one three-credit academic 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:
- Students who have not completed the Retail Industry Foundations Curriculum from the NRF will continue to work on obtaining the credential. The program consists of three continuing education courses and three exams. Learners should complete the remaining requirements; once a learner successfully passes all three exams, they will be awarded the Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential.
- Students who are taking the Retail Industry Foundations curriculum, must audit a minimum of one three-credit academic course that matches personal and vocational interest. Students who have completed the Retail Industry Fundamentals credential must enroll/audit in a minimum of six academic credits;
- Attend a minimum of two campus seminars, or campus enrichment activities;
- 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 three-credit academic course that matches personal and vocational interests;
- Prepare a capstone project related to the student’s career goals.
Academic Course Required Textbook(s)
Students are responsible to purchase the required textbook for their academic courses. Textbook information is available in students' Lion Path account, from the campus bookstore and text may be purchased through the campus bookstore.