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Disability Studies, Certificate

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  3. Disability Studies, Certificate (Certificate)

At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
Redefine your understanding of disability by examining the lived experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities, their families and communities. Engage in research and advocacy to address challenges in media, education, institutions and public policy.

Program Description

As a vibrant and diverse focus of academia, disability studies uses a cross-disability, intersectional and interdisciplinary approach to understand disability as a social and cultural construct and people with disabilities as a protected minority. This program draws upon diverse disciplines including history, sociology, law, policy studies, economics, anthropology, geography, philosophy, theology, gender studies, media studies, architecture and the arts to understand the social, cultural and political situation of disabled cultures, and people with disabilities globally.

Students are critically challenged to reject simplistic definitions of disability as a restrictive, functional impairment that requires fixing or curing. This perspective is central to individual and social identity, and crucial to changing discriminatory, exclusionary and harmful political processes and public attitudes.

This program prioritizes development of theoretical, methodological, educational and advocacy models that redefine legal, physical, policy and attitudinal barriers that exclude disabled communities from full participation in society.


Program Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours with at least 12 hours completed at the upper-division level. A minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) is required for a course to count toward the certificate. Students should contact the School of Social Transformation advising center for more information.
Required Courses -- 6 credit hours
JUS 235: Disability, Justice and Advocacy (CIVI OR C) (3)
JUS 437: The Social Construction of Disability and Justice (3)
Elective Courses -- 9 credit hours
AFR 317: Genes, Race and Society (SOBE OR SB & H & C) (3)
AFR 375: Race, Gender and Sport (SOBE OR SB & C) (3)
APA 330: Asian Pacific American Genders and Sexualities (SOBE OR (L or SB) & C) (3)
APA 350: Inequality and Diversity in Education (CIVI OR L & C) (3)
APA 355: Asian American Psychology (SOBE OR SB & C) (3)
CRD 302: Inclusive Community Development (SOBE OR SB & C) (3)
DST 322: Social and Cultural Implications of the Many Forms of Disability (3)
DST 458: Disability and Communication Advocacy (3)
EDS 301: Sustainable Community Design and Practices (SUST OR HU) (3)
ENG 484: Internship (1-12)
GER 494: Posthumanism and the Ends of Man (3)
JUS 303: Justice Theory (CIVI OR L) (3)
JUS 305: Principles of Justice Studies (SB) (3)
JUS 365: Inequality and Diversity in Education (CIVI OR L & C) (3)
JUS 370: Cultural Diversity and Justice (CIVI OR (L or HU) & C) (3)
JUS 375: Justice and the Mass Media (SOBE OR SB) (3)
JUS 432: Racial Justice (CIVI OR L) (3)
JUS 438: Human Differences: Dilemmas of Justice (CIVI OR (L or HU) & C) (3)
JUS 440: Prisons, Power and the Punishments of the Past (3)
JUS 469: Political Deviance and the Law ((L or SB) & C) (3)
MHL 447: Music and Healing (HUAD OR HU & H & G) (3)
MUE 441: Psychology of Music (3)
PRM 453: Inclusive Community Sport (3)
RTH 364: Foundations in Recreational Therapy (SOBE OR SB) (3)
RTH 440: Advocacy in Therapeutic Recreation (GCSI OR G) (3)
RTH 450: Therapeutic Recreation and Community Health (3)
RTH 455: Recreational Therapy and Play with Children, Youth and Families (3)
SHS 367: Language Science (SOBE OR SB) (3)
WST 313: Women and Sexuality (SOBE OR SB & C) (3)
WST 371: Sex and the City: Women, Sexuality, and Popular Culture (HU & C) (3)
WST 380: Race, Gender, and Class (SOBE OR SB & C) (3)
WST 477: Gender and Violence (SB & C) (3)
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

In addition to all other majors, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts or minor in disability studies offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences are permitted to add this certificate.

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Learning Outcomes

  • Employ and critically assess core theories, models and perspectives that have contributed to the development of disability studies.
  • Apply disability studies perspectives in the construction of social policy, engagement and advocacy.
  • Understand and identify representations of disability as historically specific and culturally contingent.

Career Outlook

Graduates who have combined the certificate in disability studies with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work.

Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Social and Human Service Assistants

  • Growth: 8.6%
  • Median Salary*: 38520
  Bright Outlook

Community Health Workers

  • Growth: 14.1%
  • Median Salary*: 46190
  Bright Outlook

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

  • Growth: 4.6%
  • Median Salary*: 71690
  Bright Outlook

Educational, Guidance and Career Counselors and Advisors

  • Growth: 5.4%
  • Median Salary*: 60140
  Bright Outlook

Lawyers

  • Growth: 7.5%
  • Median Salary*: 135740
  Bright Outlook

Healthcare Social Workers

  • Growth: 9.6%
  • Median Salary*: 60280
  Bright Outlook

Mental Health Counselors

  • Growth: 18.4%
  • Median Salary*: 49710
  Bright Outlook

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

  • Growth: 1.9%
  • Median Salary*: 62240

Rehabilitation Counselors

  • Growth: 1.9%
  • Median Salary*: 39990

Social and Community Service Managers

  • Growth: 9.1%
  • Median Salary*: 74240
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • SSTadvising@asu.edu
  • 480/965-7682


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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