Disability Studies, Graduate Certificate

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

For more information, contact the Certificate Coordinator, Heather Albanesi. 

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

• Complete at least four courses (12 credit hours), all with a grade of at least 3.3.
• All courses must be at the 5000+ level. Independent studies may not be used.
• Up to 3 transfer credit hours may be applied if approved by the certificate coordinator.
• To complete the program, students are required to submit a transcript and a five-page self-statement evaluating changes in their perceptions of disability-related issues as a result of program participation and implications for future scholarly and professional work.

Course Requirements:

• SOC 5230 - Foundations of Disability Studies

Complete three of the following:

• SOC 5010 - Seminar: Special Topics in Sociology (when the topic is Military, Disability, and Trauma or Advanced Theory: An Intersectional Approach)
• SOC 5240 - Sociology of Dis/Ability
• SPED 5000 - dis/Ability Studies in Education

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.

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

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.