Program Information

Students in the REACH Program take two inclusive traditional College of Charleston courses and one REACH support session each semester.

Inclusive Traditional College of Charleston Courses 

Every student enrolled is exposed to the course's full curriculum however, students in the REACH Program are responsible for learning a modified portion of the curriculum based on their individual functional levels.

Reach Support Sessions 

REACH support sessions are specialized courses for students in the program:

• Transition to College 
• Writing Comprehension
• Introduction to Personal Finance
• Career Exploration
• Business and Personal Communication
• Community Engagement
• Advanced Personal Finance
• Now What? Preparing for Life After College

Areas of Academic Support 

Examples of support include:

• Tutoring 
• Center for Student Learning
• Writing Lab
• Center for Disability Services (SNAP)
• Library

Areas of Concentration 

Students in the REACH Program declare an area of concentration (our equivalent of a major) at the end of their sophomore year. An area of concentration can be any of the 67 majors offered at the College of Charleston. 

Students in the REACH Program have the same on and off-campus social and cultural opportunities  as other students at the College; this allows for the development of age-appropriate social skills.

Mentors 

Mentors are all College of Charleston students. All freshmen are assigned mentors to help them become socially integrated into campus. After freshman year, mentors are assigned based on need, which may change as students develop independence and make their own friendships. 

• Social Mentors - help develop and enhance student's social skills on campus
• Fitness Mentors - help students access fitness and recreational activities both on campus and in the community. 

Social Skills Training 

The REACH Program provides direct instruction in social skills development for students needing extra support in interpersonal communication and appropriate behaviors (for internships, public settings, relationships, etc.). Social skills training is tailored for each student.

Social Activities and Clubs

Students in the REACH Program are able to participate in any social activities on campus with or without mentors, roommates or friends.

The REACH Program provides direct instruction on key elements of independent living that other students are able to "figure out" on their own.

Travel Training

• Campus Liberty - Students complete the 50-Steps to Campus Freedom, a campus geographic awareness checklist, before they are able to leave the residence hall alone.
• Off-Campus Liberty - Students complete Off-Campus Freedom before being able to leave the campus and walk to limited areas of downtown Charleston alone.
• Bus Training - Students complete Off-Campus Freedom and Bus Freedom before navigating the Charleston area with public transportation alone.

Personal Safety Groups

Students in the REACH Program participate in semester-long safety groups run by REACH staff. Topics include:

• Personal Safety
• Internet Safety
• Dating

Money and Time Management

Education begins sophomore year and continues all four years. 

Students are placed in internships based on their interests and strengths beginning the second semester of feshman year. Internships are paid and are changed each semester to increase the student's employability, develop new areas of interest, and reinforce the generalization of workforce behaviors. Once student's declare an area of concentration at the end of sophomore year, internships will align with this choice. Seniors may stay at the same internship both semesters with increased responsibility which will enhance their resumes for competitive employment post-graduation.

Estimated Costs | Academic Year 2024-2025

Academic Tuition

• $6,522 (Resident) per semester
• $18,462 (Non-Resident) per semester

Reach Program Fee 

• $14,800 annually 

Room & Board 

• On-campus room ($4,860) and board ($5,000) = $9,860 annually

**These totals are estimates, and DO NOT include course fees, books and housing supplies. 

Yes, freshmen and sophomores in the REACH program are required to live on-campus.  

Freshmen are required to live together in the program’s living/learning community with student assistants there to provide additional support.  

Sophomores are required to live on-campus with a roommate of their choosing who is not in the REACH Program. 

Students in the REACH program are not the same – they have different disabilities, learning styles, educational experiences, etc., but an ideal candidate must: 

• have a mild intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) and/or a disability that significantly interferes with their academic performance, social development, and independent living skills; 
• have been eligible for special education and/or related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 
• be at least 18-years old and have completed a high school program; 
• demonstrate the ability to accept responsibility for his/her actions and have no history of disruptive or challenging behaviors (the REACH Program does not have the personnel needed to manage behavioral issues); 
• independently demonstrate a desire to attend the REACH Program at the College of Charleston; 
• be open to feedback;  
• can read, write and complete math at a functional level; 
• be independent in handling specialized dietary and/or medical needs, including medication (the REACH staff will not manage, supervise, or administer medication); 
• have a family that is ready to let go.  

Unfortunately, you will not be a good fit for our program.  Students in the REACH Program need support in all areas: academics, social development, and independent living.   

No. You must be at least 18-years old and have completed a high school program. We do not accept students for dual enrollment, but you may start the application process senior year of high school. 

No. Students are not assigned buddies and do not participate in structured group outings with other students in the REACH program. 

Freshmen are paired with social and fitness mentors (College of Charleston students who share similar interests) to help them become socially integrated into campus.  

After freshman year, mentors are assigned based on need, which may change as students develop independence and their own friendships.  

Program staff help students learn how to navigate the campus safely as soon as freshmen move in. Once this is mastered, students walk around campus independently.  

The best way to determine if the REACH Program is a good fit for you and your family is to attend one of our fall or spring open houses.   

Ultimately, this is a question that only you and your family can answer.  We encourage you to use thinkcollege.net to explore and consider other post-secondary programs across the country. 

Due to the self-determined nature of the REACH Program, we do not accept anyone with full guardianship. If full guardianship is established after a student is admitted, the student will be terminated from the program.