Disability Studies Certificate of Graduate Study

Program Overview

People and society benefit when we strive for equity in all spaces. Explore disability as a natural aspect of humanity while learning about its historical, cultural, societal, and personal significance.  Learn strategies to support equity while developing knowledge and skills to promote inclusion and advocate for justice and equity for people with disabilities.  

Offered through UVM's Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) and Department of Education, online graduate coursework provides opportunity for advanced study, thoughtful discussion, and deeper exploration of understanding of disability as a construct across cultures.

Choose Your Certificate Pathway

We offer a 9-credit Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS) and an 18-Credit Certificate of Graduate Study (CGS). Both certificate pathways are designed for working professionals, graduate students, and others who seek to advance their understanding of inclusive principles and theory.  We will help you create an individualized certificate that is intended to guide you as you work towards your goals for the future. 

The Curriculum section/tab provides coursework information for each pathway.

"The program had a profound impact on my professional direction. Whether I’m working in program development, education, or community engagement, I now approach my work with a stronger commitment to universal design and policy advocacy. It also sparked an interest in disability justice work, and I’m exploring roles to directly support systemic change for disabled communities." -- Former Disability Studies Graduate Student Evelyne Blais-Savoie

Related Programs

Current UVM graduate students can complete the mCGS along with their main field of study. Credits earned can be applied toward a Certificate of Graduate Study or as part of a master’s or doctoral degree at UVM. See Related Programs and their respective webpage links at the bottom of this page. 

Contact

Program Coordinator Winnie Looby, PhD:

• Email: winnie.looby@uvm.edu
• Phone: (802) 656-1334

Video: Five Frequently Asked Questions

Video: Learn more about the Disability Studies Graduate Certificate

Curriculum

Core Course Requirements for mCGS or CGS:

• Culture of Disability (EDSP 5250)
• Global Disability Studies (EDSP 3990)
• Completion of a capstone project that showcases your learning and experiences. This can be fulfilled through a 3-credit independent study or as an assignment within another course.

Core Course Descriptions:

EDSP 5250 Culture of Disability (3 credits)

Instructor: Winnie Looby, PhD

Video: Meet Culture of Disability Teaching Assistant Nicole Villemaire

Examine the social and cultural experience of disability in different times and cultures. Topics will include:

• Foundational concepts from the field of Disability Studies;
• The influence of cultural beliefs relating to disability on individuals, families, disability law, and social policy in the United States and other countries;
• Responses to disability reflected in first person narratives, media, academic and professional discourse and practice, film, art and literature;
• Disability across the lifespan, and the implications for education, health care and social services;
• Many of the philosophical, ethical, historical, and legal foundations of Special Education;
• Family systems and approaches to individual and family support in education and community services;
• The role of different self-help and social change movements in the broader disability rights movement; and
• The historical and cultural foundations of disability-related policies and practices in education, health care, and community development.

EDSP 5260 Global Disability Studies: Africa (3 credits)

Instructor: Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie, PhD

Video about the Global Disability Studies course:

• Develop broader views of disability, advocacy, and communication in the traditional African context through the voices and experiences of African disability rights advocates globally.
• Explore how disability is viewed across cultures in Africa to empower and to offer opportunities for students to compare, contrast, and conceptualize what they learn for use advocacy and systemic change.
• Discover supportive pathway into educational systems and community life for immigrant and refugee students in K-12 schools and post-secondary programs.
• Expand your world view and then analyze your cultural experiences in the light of global diversity as well as diversity in Vermont and the U.S.

Additional Certificate Requirements

To complete the 9-credit mCGS, apply what you learn to real world issues that affect people with disabilities by choosing one of these graduate-level research courses (3 credits): 

• EDSP 6995 Graduate Independent Research
• EDSP 7220 Research Partnership in Action
• EDSP 7250 Psycho-Ed and Single Case
• EDRM 6110 Qualitative Research I
• EDRM 6140 Adv Qual: Case Study
• EDRM 6210 Quantitative Research I
• EDRM 6300 Applied Educational Research
• EDRM 6310 Mixed Methods Research: Advanced
• Other research course with prior permission

To complete the 18-credit CGS, take 12 graduate credits (typically 4 courses).

Admissions

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Graduate College Application

• Official transcripts from each college of university where credit has been earned

• Statement of purpose as either a written or video submission

• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement

While not a requirement, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is recommended to ensure academic success at the advanced level.

Application Process

We have a rolling admissions process (no specific deadline). 

How you'll apply to the program depends on whether you are already enrolled at UVM (either part- or full-time) or another similar program. Please note that in all scenarios, you will apply through the UVM Graduate College.

1. Students who are not currently enrolled at UVM may enroll in a UVM graduate program solely to complete this certificate of graduate studies in the interdisciplinary study of disability. Applicants who are seeking admission to the Certificate of Graduate Study program only should follow regular online procedures for applying to the UVM Graduate College.

2. Students who are already enrolled in a UVM graduate program may develop an approved plan for taking the required 18 credits to complete this certificate in addition to their current graduate program.

3. Current UVM VT LEND Trainees may integrate their VT LEND coursework into an individualized plan of study that meets the competency requirements for this certificate.

4. Students who are currently enrolled in the VT LEND program, but not currently enrolled in a UVM graduate program, must complete the full online graduate application.

Questions?

All prospective students should make an appointment to talk with Dr. Winnie Looby, the academic coordinator of the program. She can help you determine which category you fall into, and which application process you will pursue.