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Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies
- Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: April 3, 2025
- Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: May 22, 2025
Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.
The field of Disability Studies fosters a new understanding of contemporary culture, not only for people with disabilities but for society as well. The Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies provides an overview of this emerging discipline, including its philosophy and key concepts. In this certificate program, students will explore the impact on services and supports, and their delivery, to people with disabilities. They will also examine the importance of disability research, and its influence in the formation of public policies for people with and without disabilities.
Disability Studies offers a unique opportunity to examine disability from an interdisciplinary perspective, including the social sciences, humanities, science, social policy, and the law. Designed around the a fundamental belief that the direct experience of individuals with disabilities is paramount, and using the social model perspective of disability the advanced certificate program incorporates overlapping lenses through which students discover a new understanding of disability and society.
Career Prospects
The Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies prepares a new generation of leaders in community-based or governmental agencies. The certificate provides students with the skills to begin or advance in a career working with and for people with a wide range of disabilities. The program is also ideal for administrators, social service professionals, educators, advocates, as well as people with disabilities and their family members. Certificate credits may be applied towards the MA in Disability Studies degree program.
Meet Our Faculty
- Mariette Bates
- Ruthie-Marie Beckwith
- Maureen Belluscio
- Emily Brooks
- Sheryl Burgstahler
- Daniel K. Chan
- Kristen DuMoulin
- Cassandra Evans
- Mark Friedman
- Margaret J. Gould
- Anne Haberer
- Neil Harbus
- Stephen Ippolito
- Devva Kasnitz
- Anne Kelsey
- Bethany LaLonde
- Brian Le Lay
- Jacqueline Leber
- Martha Mock
- Karen Nielson
- Raymond Perez
- Soudabeh Shayesteh
- Jitka Nelb Sinecka
Upcoming Events for Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies
Academic Director, Disability Studies
Admissions Criteria
Candidates for admission to advanced certificate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution. Applicants are also required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria may be asked to take part in an individual interview before final acceptance is determined.
Application Deadlines
- Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: April 3, 2025
- Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: May 22, 2025
