Disability Studies Micro-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 principles and strategies to support equity while developing knowledge and skills to promote inclusion and advocate for justice and equity for people with disabilities.  

The Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study (mCGS) in Disability Studies is designed for working professionals, graduate students, and others who seek to advance their understanding of inclusive principles and theory.  

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

"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

Pathways and 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. 

The mCGS in Disability Studies is also a strand for the M.Ed. in Advanced Specialties of Educational Practice. 

See Related Programs listed below. 

Contact

Program Coordinator Winnie Looby:

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

Curriculum

Online Coursework (9 credits)

EDSP 5250 Culture of Disability or CSD 5740 Gr Culture of Disability (3 credits): 

Instructor: Winnie Looby, PhD

Examine the social and cultural experience of disability in different times and cultures. Topics covered 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, PhDVideo describing the class

• 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.

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

Deadlines

Rolling applications accepted.

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