Program Components

SJU students enrolled through PACE will take inclusive, SJU classes 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 audit 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 Agreement 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 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.

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.

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).

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.