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Department of Special Education | Pathways to Authentic College Experiences (PACE)
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Saint Joseph's University Department of Special Education | Pathways to Authentic College Experiences (PACE)
Pathways to Authentic College Experiences (PACE)
  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Highlights
    • FAQs
    • Resources
    • Partners
    • Meet the Team
  • Admission
    • Request Information
    • Application Process
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  • Program Components
    • Academics
    • Social
    • Employment
    • Residential
    • Student Support
  • Support
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Enter a Search Term

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Program Components
Academic Experience
Social Experience
Employment Experience
Residential Experience
Student Support

Program Components

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  • Program Components

Program Components

  • The following is a sample advising sheet, which outlines the curriculum of the PACE program. The curriculum is subject to change and may vary based on the students’ individual strengths, needs, and goals, as identified by the person-centered planning process.

    1ST YEAR STUDENTS - FALL SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    1ST YEAR STUDENTS - SPRING SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    First Year Seminar (GEP course) 

    3

    ENG 102 (GEP course)

    3

    ENG 101 (GEP course)

    3

    PHL 154 – Moral Foundations (GEP course)

    3

    Non-Native Language with Lab (GEP course)

    3-4

    Non-Native Language II with Lab (GEP course)

    3-4

       

    Work-Based Learning

    6

           

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Social Coaching

    10

    Social Coaching

    5

    Campus Extracurriculars

    5

    Campus Extracurriculars

    5

       

    Employment Coaching

    2

    TOTAL HOURS

    28

    TOTAL HOURS

    31

     

     

    2ND YEAR STUDENTS - FALL SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    2ND YEAR STUDENTS - SPRING SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    Math Beauty  (GEP variable course)

    3

    HIS 154 – Forging the Modern World (GEP course)

    3

    THE 153, 154, or 155 (GEP course)

    3

    Art/Music/Theater/Film, or Lit  (GEP variable course)

    3

    Core Course

    3

    Core Course

    3

    Work-Based Learning OR Special Topics Core Course

    8

    Work-Based Learning

    8

           

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Social Coaching

    4

    Social Coaching

    4

    Campus Extracurriculars

    5

    Campus Extracurriculars

    5

    Employment Coaching

    2

    Employment Coaching

    2

    TOTAL HOURS

    31

    TOTAL HOURS

    31


     

    3RD YEAR STUDENTS- FALL SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    3RD YEAR STUDENTS - SPRING SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    Natural Science w/lab  (GEP course)

    6

    Religious Difference course  (GEP overlay)

    3

    Ethics intensive course  (GEP overlay)

    3

    Diversity course  (GEP overlay)

    3

    FIN 100 - Personal Finance

    1

    Core Course

    3

           

    Work-Based Learning OR Special Topics Core Course

    10

    Work-Based Learning

    10

           

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Social Coaching

    2

    Social Coaching

    2

    Campus Extracurriculars

    8

    Campus Extracurriculars

    8

    Employment Coaching

    3

    Employment Coaching

    3

    TOTAL HOURS

    36

    TOTAL HOURS

    35

     

     

    4TH YEAR STUDENTS – FALL SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    4TH YEAR STUDENTS – SPRING SEMESTER

    HOURS PER WEEK

    Philosophical Anthropology course  (GEP course)

    3

    PHL/THE Faith & Reason course  (GEP course)

    3

    Writing intensive course  (GEP overlay)

    3

    Core Course

    3

    Core Course

    3

    Core Course

    3

    Off-campus paid employment/internship OR Special Topics Core Course

    10

    Capstone - Off-campus paid employment/internship

    15-20

           

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Academic Coaching

    3

    Social Coaching

    2

    Social Coaching

    1

    Campus Extracurriculars

    10

    Campus Extracurriculars

    4

    Employment Coaching

    3

    Employment Coaching

    3

    TOTAL HOURS

    37

    TOTAL HOURS

    35-40

  • The following is a sample student schedule; students’ schedules will vary based on their course enrollment, extracurricular activities, and work-based learning experiences.

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    SP 102- Beginning Spanish II

    9:05-9:55

    PHL 154 - Moral Foundations

    8:00-9:15

    SP 102- Beginning Spanish II

    9:05-9:55

    PHL 154 - Moral Foundations

    8:00-9:15

    SP 102- Beginning Spanish II

    9:05-9:55

    ENG 102 - Texts and Contexts 10:10-11:00

    Academic Coaching (PHL 154)  9:30-10:30

    ENG 102 - Texts and Contexts 10:10-11:00

    Social Coaching (Exercise @ Gym)

    10:00-11:00

    ENG 102 - Texts and Contexts 10:10-11:00

    Social Coaching (Lunch) 11:00-12:00

    Lunch

    11:00-12:00

    Homework in Library

    11:00-12:00

    Lunch

    11:00-12:00

    Lunch

    11:00-12:00

    Academic Coaching 

    (SP 102) 12:30-1:30

    Work-Based Learning (Internship @ Hagan Arena)

    12:00-3:00

     

    Employment Coaching (On-the Job Coaching) 2:00-3:00

    Lunch

    12:00-12:00

    Work-Based Learning (Internship @ Hagan Arena)

    12:00-3:00

    Academic Coaching 

    (ENG 102)  1:00-2:00

    Study in Library

    2:00-3:00

    SP 102- Beginning Spanish II Lab

    1:25-2:15

    Relax with Friends in Dorm 3:00-5:00

    Homework in Library

    3:00-4:30

    Relax with Friends in Dorm 2:30-5:00

    Employment Coaching  3:00-4:00

    Zumba @ Gym

    3:00-4:00

    Dinner
    5:00-6:00

    Weekly Service

    4:30-5:30

    Dinner
    5:00-6:00

    Dinner

    6:00-7:00

    Dinner
    6:00-7:00

    Art Club

    6:00-7:00 

    Social Coaching (Dinner) 6:00-7:00

    Social Coaching (Best Buddies)
    6:00-7:00

    Basketball Game 6:30-8:30

    Social Coaching
    (Comedy Show) 9:00-10:00

Academic Experience

SJU students enrolled through PACE will take inclusive, SJU classes for-credit, or on an audit basis (not for-credit)*. The 4-year certificate program consists of 17 General Education Program (GEP) courses and 7-10 core (elective) courses, chosen based on the student’s interests, goals, and career aspirations, as a part of the person-centered planning process. Students will participate in 3 academic courses per semester. They may also choose to take an additional Special Topics course, which focuses on a student-selected topic that is not covered in a regularly-offered course; for example, if a student would like to travel to work and school independently in the future, a Special Topics course may require the student to learn about the public transit system. 

At the beginning of each semester, the PACE program will work collaboratively with the course instructors to determine meaningful course objectives for the student in order to establish an Individualized Learning Contract and appropriate learning outcomes for each student. 

Students will receive academic coaching outside of class by trained SJU peer mentors; academic coaching may include, but is not limited to, assignment planning, studying, and executive functioning support. Students enrolled in the PACE program also have access to inclusive academic support offered to all SJU students, such as the Office of Learning Resources webinars, the Writing Center, and faculty office hours.

*Students will choose to take classes for-credit or on an audit basis as a part of the person-centered planning process; please be aware that the level of supports and modifications permitted will vary depending on whether the course is for-credit or on an audit-basis. 

Courses

  • CoursesCourse Title / Examples
    First Year Seminare.g. Schools in Society
    ENG 101Craft of Language
    ENG 102Texts and Contexts
    Non-Native Languagee.g. Beginning Italian I with Lab
    Non-Native Language IIe.g. Beginning Italian II with Lab
    PHL 154Moral Foundations
    Math Beautye.g. Whole Truth About Whole Numbers
    THE 154Faith, Justice, and the Catholic Tradition
    HIS 154Forging the Modern World
    Art/Music/Theater/Film/Literaturee.g. Intro to World Music
    Natural Science with Labe.g. Exploring the Earth
    Ethics Intensivee.g. Freedom, Citizenship, and Culture
    Religious Differencee.g. Hebrew Bible
    Diversity Overlaye.g. Health and Society
    Philosophical Anthropologye.g. Philosophy of Human Nature
    Writing Intensivee.g. Writing for Organizations
    Faith and Reasone.g. Theology and Science
    FIN 100Personal Finance
  • For a student who is interested in working with technology:

    • COM 175 - My Digital Life
    • CSC 110 - Building Virtual Worlds
    • EDU 242 - Technology Enhanced Curriculum and Instruction
    • ART 160 - Phoneography
    • DSS 100 - Excel Competency
    • PHL 372 - Technology Ethics
    • MKT 365 - Esports
    • MKT 316 - Digital Marketing
    • ART 175 - Image Manipulation: Photoshop
    • SOC 252 - Media and Popular Culture

     

    For a student who is interested in wellness:

    • PSY 100 - Introductory Psychology
    • IHS 150 - Health and Wellness
    • ART 130 - Art Therapy
    • SOC 217 - Mental Health and Society
    • FMK 202 - Overview of the Global Food Industry
    • EDU 151 - Cognition and Learning
    • IHS 160 - Animal Therapy
    • MKT 351 - Business of Sports
    • CLA 206 - Sports and Spectacles in Classical Literature

Social Experience

Students will participate in campus events and activities that allow them to experience increased social inclusion and build their self-advocacy and independence. The PACE program requires students to participate in at least one SJU student club or organization each semester. SJU offers 90+ student organizations to chose from, including clubs for art, gaming, and music to name a few. As a Jesuit institution, there are also many opportunities for students to participate in volunteering and community service activities.

Students receive intentional support from trained SJU peer social coaches. Social coaches support students in participating in campus activities and events that relate to their personal and professional goals. For example, if a student would like to practice money management, the student and their social coach may take the campus shuttle to Target to go shopping together.

Students will also participate in campus extracurriculars, which are campus events/activities that are not formally arranged by the PACE program staff and/or peer coaches. Students enrolled in the PACE program will practice independent choice-making and time-management by participating in campus extracurriculars. Campus extracurriculars may include, but are not limited to, attending a sporting event, eating in the dining hall, participating in a faith-based group, or volunteering for a service project.

Employment Experience

Throughout the four-year program, students will participate in work-based learning activities; these experiences expose students to various jobs and work environments and allow for opportunities to develop and practice job skills. Work-based learning experiences may include, but are not limited to, unpaid or paid internships, job shadowing, Work-Study employment, and service-learning. All work-based learning experiences will be integrated in the community and students will be working with other students/employees without disabilities. These work experiences will be chosen based upon the students’ person-centered plan. Throughout the program,  students will receive vocational support and advising from PACE program staff, Career Center staff, on-site supervisors, and trained SJU peer employment coaches. The levels of support fade over time to develop students’ employment and independence skills in order to obtain and retain employment.

During the first three-years of the program, students will participate in on-campus work-based learning experiences with the support of peer employment coaches; employment coaching may include, but is not limited to, on-the-job coaching, career exploration activities, resume writing, and practicing interview skills. Employment coaches will be paid peer mentors who are trained by the Director of Employment Services. During the last year of the program, students will participate in a culminating off-campus, paid capstone experience that connects the student’s academic learning to their future career and professional goals.

Residential Experience

SJU students enrolled through PACE have the option to commute from home or live on campus. If a student chooses to live on campus, they will have the same choice of residence halls that is offered to all other undergraduate students in the same class year. They would choose their roommate(s) through the same process that other students do. Living on campus provides students with inclusive opportunities to learn and practice independent living skills, such as caring for oneself, cooking meals, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. Students may choose to change their residential status over the course of the program (e.g. commute from home during their freshman year, and live on-campus during the subsequent years).

Student Support

Students will be supported by a variety of members of the University community, including the faculty and staff who comprise the PACE team. Students will also receive mentorship from trained SJU peers in the areas of academics, social engagement and employment. They will also have access other campus supports that are offered to all SJU students.

  • Students will receive 3+ hours of academic coaching on a weekly basis (typically, 1 hour per course) from trained SJU peers, who are enrolled in the same classes. Academic coaches support the student by reviewing and clarifying the course material, helping with completing assignments, practicing organization and time management strategies, referring the student to the appropriate University resources (e.g. the Writing Center), and modeling appropriate behavior and etiquette.

    For additional information about peer coaching and other campus supports, please contact the PACE Program Coordinator.

  • Students will receive 5+ hours of weekly social coaching from SJU peers, to assist with appropriate social engagement within the SJU community. Social coaches work with students to plan and participate in campus activities that are of interest and align with their specific goals or interests, as determined through the person-centered-planning process. For example, students may attend a campus basketball game with their social coaches.

    For additional information about peer coaching and other campus supports, please contact the PACE Program Coordinator.

  • Students will receive vocational support from trained SJU employment coaches as they complete their work-based learning experiences. Employment coaching may include, but is not limited to, on-the-job coaching, facilitating career exploration activities, assisting with resume writing, and practicing interview skills.

  • Students will have access to and be encouraged to use all SJU support services offered to matriculating students, including, but not limited to:

    • Career Center
    • Writing Center
    • Library Services
    • Student Success (includes the Office of Learning Resources, Student Disability Services, and Student Transitions)
    • Instructor office hours

Interested in PACE?

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