Education Overview

Our education program is designed to give participants a comprehensive experiential-learning opportunity that will provide them with an unparalleled enhancement to their academic and professional career. As a participant in the Disney CareerStart Program at the Disneyland Resort, participants will be enrolled in the Disney CareerStart Educational Series, which is step one in creating their custom-designed curriculum called their Individualized Education Plan. This customized plan will help them shape their Disney CareerStart Program experience into an opportunity that specifically suits their needs and interests.

The Disney CareerStart Educational Series is a mandatory series designed specifically for Disney CareerStart Program Cast Members and focuses on topics that will help them transition into the workforce and help position participants for success in their roles.

Topics for discussion during the series include time management, the importance of professionalism, getting along with others, conflict resolution, etc. Special guests, including Disneyland_® Resort leaders, will lead discussions, answer questions and serve as a support structure for participants.

Participant�s ability to build their Individualized Education Plan curriculum is what makes the Disney CareerStart Program more than just a work opportunity. While on the Disney CareerStart Program, participants choose from multiple educational opportunities to incorporate into their Individualized Education Plan that have been designed specifically for them.

As part of a participant�s Individualized Education Plan, they may elect to take Disney Education Courses recommended for credit by the American Council on Education . Each of the Disney Education Courses is focused around an area of Disneyland_® Resort expertise and contains levels of academic rigor not uncommon to the classes that can be taken at a college or university. Participants will have required textbooks to read, papers to write and special projects to complete. The difference is that they will be able to apply this knowledge immediately at their work location.

Each course offers participants the possibility to gain college credit during their program.

There are many other ways to learn at the Disneyland_® Resort, and our participants could be able to earn credit for these opportunities, too.

One of these opportunities is the Leadership Speaker Series. This series is a student�s inside track to network with Disney leaders from various areas of the Disneyland Resort and gain valuable insight and advice about career management, Disney Heritage and Traditions, and setting professional goals.

Participants could also utilize resources in one of three Disney Education Centers including using books, videos and computer-led learning activities to enhance their Individualized Education Plan.

There are so many possibilities, and de pending on the educational track participants choose to build during their program, they will be eligible to earn a Ducktorate or Mousters degree for the educational component of their Disney CareerStart Program.

• Ducktorate Degree
  Disney CareerStart Program Cast Members will earn a Ducktorate Degree by successfully completing 50 hours of course work in their Individualized Education Plan.
• Mousters Degree
  Disney CareerStart Program Cast Members will earn a Mousters Degree by successfully completing 25 hours of course work in their Individualized Education Plan.

Service and community are cornerstones of the Disney philosophy, and as a part of a Disney CareerStart Program internship, participants will have the opportunity to work with the Disney VoluntEARS team and program peers to elect a service project to sponsor. Participants may elect to use these hours to contribute to earning their Ducktorate Degree or Mousters Degree.