Preparing Adults for Work and Society (PAW_EDUC)

PAW_EDUC 1000: PAWS Freshman Seminar

This course serves as the introduction to the Preparing Adults for Work and Society (PAWS) program. Students enrolled in the PAWS program will take this course in the fall of their first year. This course will introduce students to life on campus including navigating courses, living on campus, setting goals, career exploration, and will introduce skills necessary to navigate campus life. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 0-3
Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

PAW_EDUC 1100: Personal Success

Preparing for Personal Success is a course designed to support student's ability to advocate for their own needs through discussion of the Disability Rights movement and their place within it, as well as practice in development of their own self-determination skillset. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 0-3
Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

PAW_EDUC 1200: Safe, Strong, and Healthy Relationships

This course is designed to support students in developing safe, strong, and meaningful relationships. Because many students with disabilities have been left out of traditional instruction about relationships and often find it difficult to meet new people, this course has been developed to deepen student's understanding to the nuance of making friends, developing social networks, romantic relationships, and changing dynamics with family members. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 0-3
Prerequisites: Instructor consent required

PAW_EDUC 1201: Safe, Strong, and Healthy Relationships II

This course, a continuation of PAW_EDUC 1200, is designed to expose students to a variety of topics to prepare them for building the types of relationships that interest them, while honoring their need to explore with dignity of risk, as is allowed to people without disabilities. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PAW_EDUC 1200

PAW_EDUC 1300: Introduction to Career Exploration

This course in the PAWS (Preparing Adults for Work and Society) program will introduce students to the concept of work and careers. Students will learn about various career clusters and will be able to express how their personal strengths, skills, and preferences will be an asset to them in employment.

Credit Hours: 3

PAW_EDUC 1301: Advanced Career Exploration

This course will provide students advanced concepts of work and careers. Students will learn about various career clusters and will be able to express how their personal strengths, skills, and preferences will be an asset to them in employment.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PAW_EDUC 1300
Recommended: PAW_EDUC 1000

PAW_EDUC 1400: Wellness

This course will expose students to information and procedures regarding personal health and wellness. Upon completion of the course, the students will be better equipped to monitor and maintain a high level of personal health. The course will address a variety of health topics such as nutrition, exercise, first aid, sexual health, and sleep and emotional health.

Credit Hours: 3

PAW_EDUC 1504: PAWS Topics Course

This course is for the PAWS program and will be utilized for content that is needed for students and may be offered on a short term basis. Topics will vary.

Credit Hour: 1-3

PAW_EDUC 1600: PAWS Independent Living Research Project

This course is designed for students in their final semester of the PAWS Program to begin their transition planning for post-graduation goals. Students will reflect on their previous learning and develop a personal plan to further their goals. They will assess their strengths and needs in Work Skills, Independent Living Skills, and Social/Community Building while collaborating with the instructor on their plans. Throughout the semester, students will develop their Independent Living Research Project, which they will present to the PAWS Program and relevant partners. Students will work with instructor to develop plan for after completing the PAWS program, and access relevant resources in the community to begin the process of taking the lead on managing their responsibilities as an adult. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PAW_EDUC 1700: Preparing Adults for Work and Society Capstone

The purpose of this course is for students to reflect on their time in the PAWS Program and assess the skills they have gained. Students will reflect on the skill areas of Academic/Work Skills, Independent Living Skills, and Social/Community Building. Students will evaluate what they have learned as a college student while taking PAWS classes, MU courses, living in the residence halls, participating in clubs or organizations, work study, and as a part of the undergraduate community. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3