Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: April 1, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: June 17, 2025
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Disability Studies is an emerging academic field that explores disability and society through the lens of overlapping perspectives, including social sciences, humanities, science, and the law. The BA in Disability Studies online degree program provides a ‘person-centered’ approach to the study of disability. As the first undergraduate program of its kind in the country, the program provides graduates with the skills to improve the lives of people with disabilities and with an educational credential to advance their careers.

The BA in Disability Studies program offers both a strong foundation in disability theory and history as well as opportunities for in-depth study in one of four concentrations:

  • Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Mental/Behavioral Health
  • Arts, Culture, and Design

Students in the BA in Disability Studies:

  • Learn the history that many textbooks overlook
  • Develop strategies and skills to support children and adults with disabilities
  • Learn how to interpret disability law and policy
  • Acquire concrete skills to remove social and physical barriers to full inclusion and integration
  • Read first-hand experiences of people with disabilities
  • Learn new ways of thinking about disability and society

Career and Academic Prospects

Graduates of the BA in Disability Studies program gain the knowledge, values, and skills that are sought by agencies providing services to individuals in community programs. Graduates are also prepared for graduate work in disability studies, social work, rehabilitation counseling, physical and occupational therapy, education, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and liberal studies.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are formal agreements between CUNY School of Professional Studies, (CUNY SPS) and two-year colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer the maximum number of credits with ease to our BA in Disability Studies program from institutions with which we have an established transfer process in place.

Scholarship Opportunities

Meet Our Faculty

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess at least 24 transferrable credits from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants need to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2025 Priority Deadline: April 1, 2025
  • Fall 2025 Regular Deadline: June 17, 2025
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Shivan Mahabir

BA in Disability Studies 2019

"CUNY SPS has expanded my knowledge and understanding about interacting and working with people with disabilities. It helped me become the assistant director of assistive technology at the College of Staten Island."

Recent News About Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

CUNY SPS Professor Devva Kasnitz

Beloved Disability Studies Faculty Member Mourned

February 18, 2025

As the CUNY SPS community mourns the loss of faculty member Dr. Devva Kasnitz, colleagues and students from the Disability Studies programs paid tribute to her memory.

CUNY SPS Disability Culture Summit presenters

Inaugural Disability Culture Summit Builds Dialogue and Community

January 17, 2025

During the online event, several notable leaders discussed their own work and the ways that people with disabilities may shape the larger culture.

CUNY SPS scholarship winner Helen Torres celebrates CUNYTuesday

In-Person CUNYTuesday Event Emphasizes the Importance of Connection and Mentorship

December 13, 2024

The festive fundraising event, attended by CUNY SPS students and alumni, focused on the new Alumni Legacy Scholarship and mentorship.

CUNY SPS scholarship recipients Roseanna Arias and Alyssa Garcia

CUNY SPS Scholars and Scholarship Donors Celebrated at 11th Annual Scholarship Reception

November 07, 2024

CUNY SPS community members gathered at the 11th Annual Scholarship Reception, which featured speeches by scholarship recipients Alyssia Garcia and Rosanna Arias Gutierrez.