The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education’s primary mission is to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The Disability Rights and Services Certificate equips undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to support this mission. Upon completion, students will be prepared to advocate for the equity and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their academic fields and future careers.
This certificate is particularly popular among pre-health students who seek to gain valuable knowledge and skills related to supporting individuals with disabilities. It also serves as an excellent option for students considering graduate studies in education, offering exposure to special education coursework.
Study Abroad Opportunity
The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education offers a short-term, faculty-led, summer study abroad course, Disability Rights and Access in Australia, which can be counted as an elective for the certificate.
How to Get In
Students intending to complete the Disability Rights and Services Certificate will find the declaration form on the School of Education's Certificate Programs page. The declaration for this certificate program can be submitted at any time during the calendar year.
Please note, students completing a major in Rehabilitation Psychology, Special Education, or Elementary Education and Special Education are not eligible to complete this certificate.
Requirements
Complete a minimum of 12 credits to include at least 6 credits in residence. Completion of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 in certificate coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| RP & SE 100 | Disability and Society | 3 |
| RP & SE 300 | Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| Specialization courses | 6 | |
| Disability and Substance Abuse | ||
| Health and Rehabilitation Professions | ||
| Disability and the Criminal Justice System | ||
| Issues in Special Education (only offered as a FIG course) | ||
| The Disability Experience (only offered as a FIG course) | ||
| Positive Psychology and Well Being | ||
| International Perspectives on Disability in Australia | ||
| Disability and the Media | ||
| Behavior Analysis: Applications to Persons with Disabilities | ||
| Overview of Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Diversity in Special Education | ||
| Rehabilitation-Counseling Psychology: Foundations | ||
| Biological, Psychosocial, and Vocational Aspects of Disabilities | ||
| Partnering with Families and Other Professionals in Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and analyze societal barriers and supports that affect the lives of people with disabilities.
- Explore the societal aspects of disabilities, including the culture of disabilities, attitudes toward persons with disabilities, and quality of life issues.
- Evaluate current approaches, advocacy efforts, and proposed solutions for overcoming barriers experienced by people with disabilities.
- Use disability as a lens through which to examine broader aspects of history and culture, including power, discrimination, social stigma, social and political activism, media representations, re-appropriation, identity, intersectionality, education, work, and design.