Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

Academic Director: Mariette Bates, PhD
CUNY School of Professional Studies
119 West 31^st Street, 2^nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
Email Contact: disabilitystudies@sps.cuny.edu ​

Mission

The mission of the Disability Studies Program is to develop leaders who will improve the lives of people with disabilities. In a welcoming and hospitable environment, students are taught to think about disability in a social, cultural and political context, and to conduct research, apply theory, and advocate for inclusion, access and opportunities for disabled people.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze disability experience, both individual and societal, using a multidisciplinary approach.
2. Discuss representations of disability in the media, creative arts or culture.
3. Explain and interpret disability law and policy
4. Analyze and evaluate approaches to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are on the autism spectrum, or mental/behavioral health
5. Analyze the interactions between disability and society using cultural, historical, educational and/or biomedical frameworks.
6. Advocate for improved quality of life and social justice for people with disabilities

The Program

Disability Studies is an emerging academic field which explores disability and society using overlapping perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, science, and the law. The online BA in Disability Studies offers both a strong foundation in disability theory and history as well as opportunities for in-depth study in one of four concentrations.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess at least 24 transferrable credits from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants need to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and math.