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Disability Studies Certificate

Disability Studies Certificate

Equity, inclusion, and understanding are at the heart of Disability Studies. As a powerful challenge to assumptions about people with disabilities, Disability Studies looks at disability as a facet of society and culture, and as an individual experience that is not solely governed by a medical model. 

This 18-credit, interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate is offered in partnership with the Writing Institute and housed in the College of General Studies. 

Certificate at a Glance

Explore disability through an interdisciplinary lens while developing knowledge and skills that can be applied across academic, professional, and community settings.

18 CREDITS

Complete one required course and five electives from at least three academic subjects.

INTERDISCIPLINARY

Explore Disability Studies through courses spanning areas such as English, sociology, film, rehabilitation science, and more.

ACCESS & ADVOCACY

Develop knowledge of accessibility, disability representation, advocacy, and the experiences of people with disabilities.

THE CGS DIFFERENCE

Apply a Disability Studies lens to your major or field of study, or pursue Disability Studies as an interdisciplinary field on its own.

Who Should Participate

For Professionals & Community Leaders

  • Those who interact with individuals with disabilities in the course of their daily work, including therapists, teachers, health providers, caregivers, technologists, and legal counselors.
  • Professionals who wish to more accurately and fully represent the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities.
  • Those who work in any setting and recognize disability as a form of diversity and want to become better, more informed allies.

For Students & Lifelong Learners

  • Those who identify as disabled and want to gain perspective and engage with the idea of disability.
  • Students interested in advocacy roles for constituencies that include people with disabilities.
  • Students already enrolled in the College of General Studies or other University programs who want to concentrate on Disability Studies.

Program Expectations

Through this certificate, you will develop the knowledge and skills to:

Represent Disability

Ethically represent people with disabilities in expressive forms such as writing, film and television media, and music.

Identify Access Barriers

Identify barriers to access for people with disabilities, including environmental, attitudinal, policy, and social barriers.

Increase Accessibility

Develop strategies for increasing accessibility in a variety of public, professional, and institutional settings.

Advocate for Inclusion

Advocate for social, legal, educational, and other concerns impacting populations with disabilities.

Examine Intersections

Critically examine the intersection of disability and other identity and cultural constructs, such as gender, sexuality, and race.

Program Requirements

  • The Disability Studies certificate requires 18 credits, including one core course and five elective courses. Courses must be taken from at least three subjects. No more than nine total credits (the core course and two electives) can come from ENGCMP; no more than six credits can come from any other single subject code, such as ENGFLM, GSWS, or SOC.
  • Credits earned at other accredited educational institutions may be eligible for transfer on a case-by-case basis.
  • A minimum of nine credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required in courses being applied to the certificate.

How to Declare

To pursue the Disability Studies Certificate, students must meet the admission requirements for the College of General Studies and complete an online application with CGS.

Learn More and Apply

Curriculum

Complete 18 credits through one required course and five approved electives from at least three academic subjects.

Required Course: 3 credits

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Electives: 15 credits

Five elective courses must be taken from at least three different academic departments (ENGCMP can count as one of these three departments). Courses must be approved for Disability Studies credit. With permission of the director, students will be able to count the internship or independent study courses in their majors as electives. Consult Pitt's Course Catalog for current listings.

Note: Some courses may require students to be enrolled in a specific major or school to enter the course. Please check PeopleSoft for these requirements.

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Note: Cross-listed with LING 1721

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Note: Cross-listed with FMST 0790

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Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1261

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Note: Cross-listed with FMST 1533

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Note: Cross-listed with RELGST 1243

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Note: Cross-listed with HRS 1515

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Note: Cross-listed with JS 1622 and GSWS 1625

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Resources & Flexible Options

Flexible Learning Options

Many courses include online and hybrid formats, allowing you to build your knowledge and skills wherever you are.

View Online Courses

Planning Resources

Use the Disability Studies Certificate Checklist (PDF) to plan your courses and monitor your progress toward completing the certificate.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Questions

Sam Pittman, MFA
Director, Disability Studies Certificate
526 Cathedral of Learning
Department of English
University of Pittsburgh
Email: disstud@pitt.edu

Note: Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.

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