The Union Edge Program
Program Leadership
Rebecca Holloway (2022). Director for The Union EDGE Program. B.S., Union University; M.A., Dallas Baptist University.
Melinda Jackson (2019). Assistant Director for The Union EDGE Program. B.A., Union University; M.Ed., Grand Canyon University
Program Description
The Union EDGE is a comprehensive transition program for highly motivated young adults who have a documented intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD). This is a two-year certificate program for students ages 18-26 who have completed high school. The Union EDGE—Employment training, Daily living skills, Godly focus, educational enrichment—is a residential or non-residential program designed to aid in career development and employment skills. Students will audit college courses, participate in life skills classes, work in on-campus and off-campus internships, and experience the full range of college life. Exiting students will receive certificates of completion.
Program Purpose
The Union EDGE provides a holistic, post-secondary education for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, encouraging increased independent skills that lead to a better quality of life and aligning with Union’s mission of providing “Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society.”
Program Admission
Applications for Fall enrollment must be received by May 1 each year. To be considered complete, an application must be signed and accompanied by the $50 application fee. Once an application has been received and reviewed, the applicant may be contacted to set up an on-campus interview.
Acceptable candidates must be between the ages of 18-26, possess a documented Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD), and be a high school graduate. In addition, applicants must submit the following to the EDGE program office:
- Completed application, including:
- Work history
- Medical history
- Personal support inventory
- Questionnaire
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- High school transcript
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Psycho-educational evaluation
- Application Fee ($50)
- Interview: Students who score high enough on the application may be invited for an interview that includes question/answer, reading assessment, writing assessment, problem solving assessment, math skills assessment, and determination of ability to follow rules and be a good sport.
Final admission decisions are made by the Director and EDGE Admissions Committee composed of School of Education faculty.
Curriculum
EDGE students register for 12 or more semester hours each semester, 6 semester hours of Life Skills Courses and 6 or more semester hours of Union course audits.
Course Audits: Union EDGE students enroll in two or more regular college courses each semester as course audits for credit toward a certificate – minimum of 48 credit hours to graduate. The EDGE program director works with faculty to develop an education plan for each student.
Life Skills Courses: Students enroll in two life skills courses each semester that focus on training in life skills and career development, including topics such as technology, resume' writing/interviewing, use of social media, banking, cooking, social skills, safety, and job skills.
Additional Program Requirements
Internships and Externships: Students are partnered with an on-campus internship during the first year. During the second year, students are partnered with an off-campus externship.
Mentorship: Union EDGE Students are partnered with trained upperclassmen student mentors. Student mentors help guide EDGE program students through the Student Life experience by inviting them to lunch, to student programing and athletic events, and other residence life activities.
Program Assessment
EDGE Program participants will be reassessed each year for progress using an assessment tool to track their growth on social, behavioral, and vocational tasks as well as academic standing.
Financial Information
Tuition for Union's EDGE Program per year
(fall and spring semesters) 2023-2024 |
$17,000 |
| Third Year Edge Program |
7,000 annually; $3,500/semester |
| Room and Board |
see Tuition and Fees section of the catalogue |
| Application Fee |
$50 |
| General Student Service Fee (12 hrs. or more) |
$650 |
| Registration/Orientation Fee |
$150 |
Financial Assistance
Union EDGE students may seek the STEP UP scholarship provided by lottery funds (equivalent to the Hope Scholarship). Union University is a Comprehensive Transition Program through the federal government, and students may qualify for federal grants. Additionally, all students are required to have a case open with the Tennessee Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.