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 Nittany Lion cheers the Career Studies team as they prepare to run the campus' annual Bathtub Race.
 

Criteria for Success

To be successful in the program students need to be able to:

  • Have family and/or caretaker support for the duration of the program
  • Develop the ability to navigate campus independently
  • Demonstrate communication skills adequate to interact with others
  • Demonstrate socially acceptable behavior and emotional maturity
  • Demonstrate basic safety skills in unsupervised settings
  • Be motivated to learn and benefit from participation in the program
  • Express desire to work as independently as possible upon completion of the program

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.

See the Tuition and Fees Schedules

Semester Sequence

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.

Students will:

  • Participate in initial orientation and planning events.
  • Participate in initial individual person-centered planning using Penn State Harrisburg's Lion Tracks planning tool.
  • Meet peer mentor(s) and staff
  • Enroll and audit, a minimum of one academic course that matches the student's individual personal and vocational interests.
  • Participate in Retail Industry Fundamentals curriculum developed by the National Retail Foundation.
  • Evaluate job categories via participation in group job shadowing experiences.
  • Define and discuss the principles of self-determination in relation to themselves.
  • Participate in at least one official freshman seminar activity and one other campus enrichment event.
  • Meet with their adviser to review basic program requirements.
  • Participate in mid-semester planning meeting to assess progress.
  • Participate in the final presentation event.

Students will:

  • Continue working on goal setting.
  • Enroll and audit, a minimum of one academic course that matches the student's individual personal and vocational interests.
  • Participate in Retail Industry Fundamentals curriculum developed by the National Retail Foundation
  • List personal attributes and vocational interests then identify compatible work environments.
  • Evaluate job categories via participation in group job shadowing experiences.
  • Define and discuss the principles of self-determination in relation to themselves.
  • Complete on-campus practicum experiences with job coach
  • Participate in at least one official freshman seminar activity and one other campus enrichment event.
  • Meet with their adviser to review basic program requirements.
  • Participate in mid-semester planning meeting to assess progress.
  • Participate in the final presentation event.

Students will:

  • Continue to work on goal setting.
  • Enroll and audit, a minimum of one academic course that matches the student's individual personal and vocational interests.
  • Participate in Retail Industry Fundamentals curriculum developed by the National Retail Foundation.
  • Take Retail Fundamentals practice exams, if not taken and passed during the previous semester. May take the Retail Foundations exam and complete the NRF credential.
  • Continue researching personal attributes and vocational interests and compatible work environments.
  • Practice job skills during practicum experiences
  • Continue to focus of self-determination and self-advocacy.
  • Participate in one seminar activity and one other campus enrichment event.
  • Meet with their adviser to review basic program requirements.
  • Participate in mid-semester planning meeting to assess progress.
  • Participate in the final presentation event.

Students will:

  • Assess progress toward goals.
  • Enroll and audit, a minimum of one academic course that matches the student's individual personal and vocational interests.
  • Participate in a practicum for a minimum of 10-12 hours per week.
  • Practice job skills (minimum of 12 hours per week) in a capstone practicum experience that matches the student's vocational interests.
  • Meet with their adviser to review basic program requirements.
  • Participate in mid-semester planning meeting to assess progress.
  • Participate in the final presentation event.
  • Students who complete the Career Studies Program will receive a Penn State Career Studies Certificate.