Skip Navigation, Jump to Content

Disability Studies Graduate Certificate Program

Program Description:

Disability Studies offers a course of studies that explore disability from historical, cultural and socio-political perspectives. Disability Studies, like analogous diversity studies (e.g., Women's Studies and African American Studies), places disability within a social and political context, challenging the notion that the statuses and roles of individuals with disability result from physical or psychological aspects of disability. Developing out of initiatives within University Centers on Developmental Disabilities and the Society for Disability Studies, this field has grown rapidly over the past decade. An increasing number of universities are offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Disability Studies. Scholars in the field of Disability Studies recognize the necessity of focusing their work on issues of disability within a traditional discipline, but also require a familiarity with work on disability in other disciplines to enrich their own understandings. It is for this philosophical reason that the Disability Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary graduate certificate.

Temple's Disability Studies Program draws upon resources in a broad array of disciplines from the liberal arts and social sciences to the allied health professions. By approaching a more accurate understanding and appreciation of people with disabilities and the evolution of their civil rights movement; it also invites its audience to reflect on how the study of disability relates to professional, social and personal aspects of their lives. Students working towards graduate degrees in various disciplines and focusing on disability will be able to study the central concepts of disability theory and action modes of research through Disability Studies graduate courses.

The certificate can be earned in conjunction with a wide variety of disciplines. Disability Studies provides students an opportunity to reflect critically upon practices and approaches that may be taken-for-granted in their home disciplines. Particular strengths include the social history of disability and ableism; disability and health; ecological aspects of disablement; universal design; disability social policy; constituency-oriented research' disability rights and culture.

Program Requirements:

Students must complete 12 semester hours of course work: Disability Studies 5401 - Disability Rights and Culture (3 s.h.); and Disability Studies 9489 -- Field Work in Disability Studies (3 s.h.); and approved disability studies courses offered by the Disability Studies Program or any cooperating department, either the student's own, or another (6 s.h.). All students will be assigned an advisor from the Disability Studies Affiliated Faculty who will monitor their progress through the program.

For a typical course rotation, contact the Program Coordinator. Flyer for upcoming or current courses [pdf] available for download.

Required Core Courses:

  • 5401. Disability Rights and Culture (3 s.h.). This course provides a socio-historical survey of the political, economic, social and cultural relations between disabled and non-disabled society in America. Topics such as the social construction of disability and the changing experiences of persons with disabilities are discussed in the context of other civil rights movements and the broader evolution of social policy.
  • 9489. Field Work in Disability Studies (3 s.h.). This course provides experiential learning in the experiences of persons with disabilities. Students are assigned to work with and be mentored by persons with disabilities and their families. Sites will be selected in collaboration with each student's department.

Additional Certificate Courses

(all 3 s.h. each) -- 6 credits to be selected from the following courses*

  • 5402. Action Modes of Research. This course explores the foundations of collaborative and action research. There will be a strong focus on the sets of beliefs that lead to and underlay action research, and how these beliefs are different from traditional paradigms. Students will also work on the practical means by which those affected by research are included in its design. Readings and discussion will focus particularly on disabilities, but will also include considerations of gender, race, class and sexual orientation.
  • 5403. Disability and Social Policy. - This course examines public policy in the US; particularly the influence of recent Congressional actions and judicial decisions in the areas of education, health care, human development, rehabilitation and employment of individuals with disabilities. Will examine the origins, goals, and target populations for these policies and the extent to which policies are consistent with each other, and will assess the effectiveness of policies and the impact they have on people's real lives, including people with disabilities, family members and professionals.
  • 5404. Health and Wellness for Persons with Disabilities. This course is designed to introduce students to the meaning of health and wellness for individuals with disabilities. A biopsychosocial model will be used to examine the various dimensions of health. Students will examine the role(s) that theoretical understandings of health behaviors, societal values and systems, and demographic factors have in facilitating or inhibiting wellness. The course will also explore the supports people with disabilities may require in order to achieve and maintain health and wellness.
  • 5405. Disability Studies in the Humanities. Interest in Disability Studies is exploding in the humanities disciplines. The focus and content of this course will depend upon the interests of faculty and graduate students. Possibilities include: Health and Disability in American History; Disability and Performance Studies; Disability in American Literature; Imaging Bodies in World Film; Cross-Cultural Disability Studies.

*Additional electives will be added as department courses are approved.

Admissions Requirements:

Application Deadline: The deadline for completed application and supporting materials if taking Disability Studies in conjunction with admission to a Temple degree program is April 1 for Fall and November 1 for Spring. Acceptances to the free standing program are made all year round.

To request admission to the Disability Studies Graduate Certificate Program, applicants should submit:

  1. A completed application form, which may be obtained from the Disability Studies Program, 423 Ritter Annex, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122 or downloaded from the College of Education website:
  2. an official transcript of all previous college work. Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a four point scale);
  3. two letters of recommendation from persons in a position to evaluate the academic ability and accomplishments of the applicant;
  4. a personal statement indicating interests, plans and objectives within the field of Disability Studies.

Contact Information:

For more information, contact:

Michael L. Dorn, Ph.D., Coordinator of Disability Studies
phone: (215) 204-3373
fax: (215) 204-6336
voice/TTY: (215) 204-1356
email: disstud@temple.edu.
office location: 262 Ritter Hall

Institute on Disabilities
College of Education
Temple University
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19122

For more information visit the Disability Studies web site.