REAL Certificate

REAL Certificate Program Supports and Fees

The REAL Certificate is a two year program that requires four (4) full semesters of study. Individual planning sessions guide the selection of courses and activities for each semester the student is registered in the certificate. Students spend approximately 20-30 hours per week on campus attending classes, gaining work experience, receiving academic tutoring and socializing with peers. Students in the REAL Certificate program have the opportunity to live in residence halls or commute to campus. Courses are selected based on student interest for vocational or personal development. Students follow the regular Fall/Spring semester calendar.

The following describes the requirements that will be completed each semester (for 4 semesters):

1. Academic:

• Students will audit two undergraduate courses each semester.
• Students will complete job skills development and career readiness activities.

2. Vocational:

• Students will participate in on- or off- campus internships or work experiences.
• Students will complete job skills development and career readiness activities.

3. Social opportunities:

• Students will meet with their peer mentors 4-8 hours per week.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in University clubs and activities.

Supports

Supports are provided by the REAL Certificate staff and peer mentors. Courses are usually audited, but may be taken for credit if the student is capable of meeting the requirements of the course without modification of its content. Supports for accessing courses, vocational experiences and other instruction are individually addressed.

Fees

The 2022-2023 program cost of this certificate is $7,650 per semester. The program fee includes the costs associated with auditing classes, taking part in work-related experiences and community-based social instruction. It does not include the cost of living on campus, materials needed for classes, meals or other activities that require additional charges. Students also pay the General Student Fee of $350 each semester. Faculty or staff tuition remission may not be used to pay for this program.

Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process

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Real Certificate Eligibility Criteria

Upon applying to the program, it is expected that students will demonstrate the following minimal requirements: 

• Be between the ages of 18-26 at the start of the program. 
• Provide documentation of intellectual and/ or developmental disability.
• Provide documentation of intellectual and/ or developmental disability.
• Express desire and motivation to complete a post-secondary education program. 
• Have proof of eligibility for IDEA while in school (i.e., the student had an IEP).
• Demonstrate ability to communicate with staff, faculty, and mentors. 
• Have the ability to function independently for a sustained period of time (i.e., able to sit through 
  90 minute courses and function independently for 1 hour blocks of time (including navigating 
  campus independently).
• Have sufficient emotional and independent stability to participate in all aspects of the REAL 
  Certificate program and campus environment. 
• Be able to handle and adapt to change; not overly stressed when schedules or people change. 
• Express desire to be part of the workforce. 
• Be able to provide transportation to and from campus.
• Have proof of health insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, private).
• Be able to follow the University Code of Conduct and to behave respectfully towards others.

Important Dates

        February 15, 2022 - Completed Applications Submitted 
        February/March 2022 - Student/Family/ Supports Interview
        March 31, 2022 - Student notified of application status
        May/June - Students and family participate in Person-Centered Planning meeting
        August 25, 2022 - Fall Orientation begins
 

Admissions Process

To apply for the Fall semester, complete and submit the application, supporting documents, and teacher reference form. Upon receipt and review of the completed application packet, applicants meeting eligibility requirements may be contacted to schedule an interview.

Following all of the interviews, the application screening committee will review the applications and select students for admission. The decision to offer or deny admission to the program will be made by the admissions committee in their best judgements and in the best interest of the applicants. Final decisions will be communicated through email to all applicants. 

Application Packet

Application

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How to Apply to the REAL Certificate:
 

Students who are interested in applying for entrance into the REAL Certificate should complete Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 of the application process below.* 

Fall 2022 Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2022.
If you need additional information or have questions about the application, please contact:
Jessica Mattis, REAL Certificate Director
real@arcadia.edu
(215) 460-4290

*Due to space limitations, not all applicants who complete the application and meet the criteria for admission will be accepted in the REAL Certificate.

STEP 1:

Complete and submit the APPLICATION

• Option 1: Complete the online application . *Please note that once you start the online application, you will need to complete it in one sitting as you are not able to save it and return to it later. You may want to open the PDF version to review the full application and work on the short answer questions before you complete the online version.
• Option 2: Download and print the REAL Certificate application. Mail completed application to the REAL Certificate office.*

STEP 2:

Collect and submit SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. 

Collect the following documents:

1. High School Transcript
2. Most Recent IEP
3. Educational evaluation conducted within the past 3 years, such as: 
                a. School re-evaluation
                b. Woodcock Johnson
                c. PIAT
                d. KTEA

Submission options:

• Option 1: Submit documents online. (If you have a Google account, you can use this REAL Certificate Supporting Documents or please email real@arcadia.edu to receive an encrypted response option.)
• Option 2: Mail documents to the REAL Certificate office.*

STEP 3:

Contact your teacher and ask them to complete the reference form.

• Option 1: Download the REAL Certificate Teacher Reference form and send to your teacher to complete.  They should return the completed form by email to real@arcadia.edu or mail.* 
• Option 2: Copy the link for the REAL Certificate Teacher Reference form below and send to your teacher to fill out and submit the reference to the program online.  

  https://forms.gle/6qftMTmTb96ZtxAE8

*REAL Certificate Mailing Address

The REAL Certificate of Arcadia University 
School of Education 
450 S. Easton Rd. 
Glenside, PA 19038