A degree in disability studies offers students a unique academic opportunity to understand disabilities from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes:
- psychology
- politics
- science
- law
- the humanities
The basic premise of a disability studies program is that you must gain knowledge through direct experience with disabled individuals and their families.
Program Overview
These programs typically use the social model of disability that requires students to discover new ideas and understanding of disability and society. The degree helps you assume greater leadership and responsibility in future jobs by giving you
- intellectual tools
- professional ethics
- analytical methodologies
Most of the faculty will be expert disability advocates and practitioners from public and private organizations. Graduates of the degree program are trained to be knowledgeable:
- educators
- researchers
- advocates
These programs aim to help graduates to critically think, write and speak about individual and group disability experiences. Students learn to promote the arts, dignity and creativity within the disability culture. Programs focus on the improvement in quality of life and justice for the disabled. Students are usually required to:
- conduct field work
- do disability-related research
- speak in public about disability studies
Common Classes
The most basic class is disability studies. This focuses on contemporary practice concepts and individual issues that the disabled experience. These courses provide:
- a comprehensive analysis of classification systems for disability
- conceptual frameworks for disability categories
- tools for understanding disability as a multi-level phenomenon
Advanced topics will present current state, national and international policy issues in disability. Students will explore and analyze the:
- key definitions of disability
- major theories
- proposed public policy revisions
Classes may pose important research questions that students answer through the development and analysis of testable hypotheses. Students will learn the core concepts of research traditions used in disability research. Courses will cover:
- civil rights
- social policy
- human rights
- self determination
- health care regulations
- the role that the government places in controlling the choices of the disabled and their families.
Electives Classes
Students are usually offered electives related to:
- legislative foundations
- disability policy
- ethical issues
- bioethical dilemmas
- medical overviews
- community action
- family perspectives
For example, students may take classes on the physical limitations, such as fatigue and immobility, which impact the disabled. These courses explore the relationships between fatigue and social, psychological and community isolation. Qualitative research methods examine:
- design tools
- data collection
- report writing
These classes heavily rely on the critical evaluation of:
- research literature
- personal stories
- regulatory evaluations
An elective on disability in urban environment introduces the social, cultural and economic elements that influence the experience of disable persons. These electives may examine how inner city environments and low income urban communities impact the disabled. Electives on program evaluation will examine state departments of health and human services in order to understand:
- policy
- documentation
- participatory evaluation
Related Resource: 20 Best Deals on Colleges for Disability Studies
When it comes to career prospects, a degree in disability studies prepares you to become the next generation of leaders in:
- health care
- nonprofit organizations
- community organizations
- governmental organizations
The degree is ideal for students who want to become:
- educators
- researchers
- advocates
- administrators
- social service professionals
The BLS offers an introduction to the disabled labor force here.