College of Education
Disability Studies (Minor)
Program Purpose
The overall objective of the Disability Studies Minor is to prepare a variety of professionals to interact with and provide services/supports to children and adults with disabilities. These professionals will work in a variety of disciplines including allied health sciences, criminal justice, human development, psychology, recreation and leisure, rehabilitation, and sociology. Note: This minor is not designed for education majors. All students who complete this minor will demonstrate and apply knowledge of characteristics of individuals with a wide range of disabilities, current issues and trends in disability, positive behavior strategies, and assistive technology. Additional competencies will be developed in elective areas focusing on individuals with mild/moderate disabilities, individuals with significant intellectual disabilities, and individuals with autism.
Learning Outcomes
Content Knowledge
Disability Studies Minors will demonstrate an understanding of a current issue or trend in special education by identifying and researching the issue, related laws, peer-reviewed studies, and history of the issue and synthesizing the information into a fact sheet in preparation for a research paper.
Education for a New Century
Disability Studies Minors will demonstrate an understanding of how cultural beliefs, values, and sensibilities shape people's perceptions and impact global decisions and actions by creating ways to collaborate within the community as professionals in his or her field.
Global Perspective
Disability Studies Minors will demonstrate an understanding of trends in disability and the global impact of bias on disabilities by specifically stating strategies to combat ableism and create disability justice in the workplace.
Reflective Practitioner
Disability Studies Minors will reflect on their research synthesis and analysis related to a current trend or topic in special education by analyzing their research strategies, identification of a problem to resolve, and drafting of a plan to address the problem to resolve.