Raising Expectations for Academic Learning (REAL) Certificate
The REAL Certificate offers students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a post-secondary academic-, vocational- and social inclusion-focused program. Applicants will have received extensive special education services in their secondary schools and are not able to access college by meeting typical entrance criteria. Students in the REAL Certificate audit traditional undergraduate courses and participate in inclusive vocational and social experiences. Students have the option to live on campus or commute. An individual plan for college participation is developed for each student. Students must follow the University Code of Conduct and the REAL Certificate does not have the personnel to (1) supervise students with difficult and challenging behaviors; (2) dispense medications or (3) provide personal assistants.
The REAL Certificate is NOT an accredited college degree program and graduating students will receive a certificate of completion.
The REAL Certificate is a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Eligible students are therefore able to apply for certain types of federal aid. See the Student With Intellectual Disabilities eligibility section of the Federal Student Aid website for further information. Consolidated or Person/Family Directed Supports (PFDS) waiver and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation funding may be used to pay for the REAL Certificate tuition.
Program and Fees
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 2023-2024 program cost of this certificate is $7,800 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.
Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process
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.
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 judgments and in the best interest of the applicants. Final decisions will be communicated through email to all applicants.
Application Packet
REAL Applications
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 2024 Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2024.
If you need additional information or have questions about the application, please contact:
Jessica Mattis, REAL Certificate Director
real@arcadia.edu
(215) 572-8624
*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:
- High School Transcript
- Most Recent IEP
- Educational evaluation conducted within the past 3 years, such as:
- School re-evaluation
- Woodcock Johnson
- PIAT
- 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. View Teacher Reference Form.
*REAL Certificate Mailing Address
The REAL Certificate of Arcadia University
School of Education
450 S. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Important Dates:
February 15, 2024 – Completed Applications Submitted
February/March 2024 – Student/Family/ Supports Interview
March 31, 2024 – Student notified of application status
May/June – Students and family participate in Person-Centered Planning meeting
August 23, 2024 – Fall Orientation begins