Introducing Threshold

Getting Oriented in a Positive Direction

Threshold's orientation is designed to give students the information, experiences, and confidence needed to begin feeling at home in their new environment. Students become familiar with program and campus rules, learn to find their way around campus, and comfortably use the Boston-area public transportation system.

Campus and Community Life

Lesley's compact campus offers a village-like atmosphere amidst a vibrant city, near Harvard Square and Boston. Students enjoy moving between their own close-knit community and the exciting world around them.

Some structured social and educational programs are offered through the residence houses; however, students are also encouraged to plan their own independent leisure time activities - to "try their wings" within the safety net of the  Threshold community.

Threshold students are encouraged to join in Lesley University's organized activities; many take part in service and religious clubs, special events and dances.

The Lesley Library, which houses a well-equipped media center and a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, is open to Threshold students. Daily meals in the Lesley Commons Dining Hall offer students more opportunities to acquaint  themselves with others on campus.

Living at Lesley

Threshold students live in three residence houses (Crockett House, Everett House, and Oxford House) in single, double, and triple rooms. Resident staff, attuned to the needs of Threshold students, live in the residence houses and are available to handle any urgent situation that may arise during non-classroom hours. The Resident staff communicates regularly with the teaching/advising staff of Threshold as well as Lesley's Residence Life Office.

Threshold students are expected to abide by rules of good judgment and safety and other regulations similar to those followed by all undergraduate students housed on campus. The Threshold  Student Handbook and the Lesley University School of Undergraduate Studies Handbook fully list the rules and regulations.

In Class and In the Field

Threshold's curriculum is designed specifically to meet our students' needs. Whenever possible, every effort is made to individualize offerings to address each student's strengths and challenges. Classes generally range in size from three to twelve students, with an instructor-to-student ratio better than 1:3. The curriculum promotes vocational training, independent living skills, social/psychological development, and creative growth.

Students spend more than 30 hours per week in course work and at field placements, receiving supervised on-the-job training; approximately half of that time is spent at field sites.

Required Courses by Year

First-Year Students

• Introduction to Business and Support Services Class & Lab
• Introduction to Early Childhood Studies
• Introduction to Vocational Skills
• Vocational Advising
• Computer Applications
• Word Processing (including e-mail)
• Adult Sexuality
• Medical World
• Social Skills
• Understanding Learning Challenges
• Personal Finance Class & Lab
• Personal Growth
• Physical Education
• Current Events
• Elective

Second-Year Students

• Business and Support Services or Early Childhood Studies
• Vocational Advising
• Pathways to Health
• Work World Seminar
• Apartment Living Class & Lab
• Consumer Education Class & Lab
• Personal growth
• Physical Education
• Current Events
• Elective