Disability Studies Certificate

For undergraduate students wishing to develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary field of disability studies, we offer an undergraduate certificate of specialization.

The Disability Studies certificate is useful for students planning careers in the private sector and educational institutions, including social work, graduate and professional schools, community action organizations, and social services.

Completion of the certificate provides evidence of specialized study, which can be beneficial for enhancing future career options and interests.

Intent and Completion Applications

Once admitted to UCCS, students choosing to pursue a certificate must submit a Certificate Declaration Form.

After completing the program requirements, the student must submit the Certificate Completion Form with all supporting documents uploaded where indicated on the form. Students planning to pursue multiple certificates will need to submit separate declaration and completion forms for each certificate.

To earn this certificate successfully, students must complete both WEST 1010 Introduction to Social Justice Studies and SOC 4230 Foundations of Disability Studies plus three electives (9 credit hours) of the options below with a minimum grade of 2.0 or better:

• SPED 3000: Disability Studies in Education
• COUN 3200: Professional Orientation and Case Management in Rehabilitation
• WEST 3400: Contemporary Theory in WEST
• SOC 4010: Sociology of Military, disability, and Trauma
• SOC 4010: Disability and Impairment
• SPED 4020/WEST 4020: Significant Support Needs
• WEST 4030: Bodies, Genders & Sexualities
• COUN 4100: Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
• SOC 4120: Body, Culture, and Power
• SOC 4240: Sociology of Dis/Ability
• SOC 4650: Sociology of Mental Illness

For additional details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Additional disability studies related special-topic courses may be offered that can be counted toward the graduate certificate. These courses must be approved in advance by the certificate coordinator, Dr. Heather Albanesi.