Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies

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Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2026 Extended Priority Deadline: April 23, 2026
  • Fall 2026 Regular Extended Deadline: June 11, 2026

Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.

The field of Disability Studies fosters a new understanding of contemporary culture, not only for people with disabilities but for society as well. The Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies provides an overview of this emerging discipline, including its philosophy and key concepts. In this certificate program, students will explore the impact on services and supports, and their delivery, to people with disabilities. They will also examine the importance of disability research, and its influence in the formation of public policies for people with and without disabilities.

Disability Studies offers a unique opportunity to examine disability from an interdisciplinary perspective, including the social sciences, humanities, science, social policy, and the law. Designed around the a fundamental belief that the direct experience of individuals with disabilities is paramount, and using the social model perspective of disability the advanced certificate program incorporates overlapping lenses through which students discover a new understanding of disability and society.

Career Prospects

The Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies prepares a new generation of leaders in community-based or governmental agencies. The certificate provides students with the skills to begin or advance in a career working with and for people with a wide range of disabilities. The program is also ideal for administrators, social service professionals, educators, advocates, as well as people with disabilities and their family members. Certificate credits may be applied towards the MA in Disability Studies degree program.

Meet Our Faculty


Admissions Criteria

Candidates for admission to advanced certificate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution. Applicants are also required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria may be asked to take part in an individual interview before final acceptance is determined.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2026 Extended Priority Deadline: April 23, 2026
  • Fall 2026 Regular Extended Deadline: June 11, 2026
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Student/Alumni Profiles

Angie Fuoco

Angie Fuoco

Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies 2016

"Because of my CUNY SPS certificate, I’m tasked with more responsibilities for helping people with disabilities, which I love to do.”
Katherine Smith

Katherine Smith

Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies and MA in Disability Studies 2009 and 2012

"My CUNY SPS master’s degree in disability studies allows me to approach my job in a much different light....providing a more objective assessment.”
Molly Joyce

Molly Joyce

Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies; MA in Disability Studies 2021 and 2023

"My time at CUNY SPS has certainly informed my interest in academia overall and especially with conferences and publishing."
Daniel K. Chan

Daniel Chan

Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies, MA in Disability Studies, and MS in Disability Services in Higher Education 2015, 2016, and 2017

"My CUNY SPS degrees have given me the confidence and credibility to do my job.”

Recent news about Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies

Green Mountain Self-Advocacy Annual Voices and Choices Conference 2026

July 06, 2026

Green Mountain Self-Advocates

CUNY SPS Disability Studies Program adjunct faculty members Mark Friedman, Ph.D., founder of the website MyTechforAll, and Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, Ph.D., a national leader in disability rights, were the featured keynote speakers at the Green Mountain Self-Advocacy Conference in Vermont, attended by more than 600 self-advocates, family members, and professionals. Their keynote presentation focused on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support people with disabilities in everyday life, promoting greater independence, communication, and opportunity. Through live demonstrations and practical examples, attendees learned how AI tools can assist with job interviews, doctor visits, communication, organization, and daily decision-making. The session also emphasized the importance of using AI safely and responsibly while helping bridge the digital divide for people with disabilities.

Advocating for Accessibility through Visibility

May 18, 2026

CUNY SPS Blog

The City University of New York proudly presented its second annual “50 Under 50” alumni list earlier this year. CUNY SPS three-time alum Leonard Blades (MS in Disability Services in Higher Education '20, Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies '22, and MA in Disability Studies '25) was named to the prestigious list. As part of the CUNY SPS blog's “50 under 50” series, Blades talks about his great love of CUNY and how the University has impacted his life.
CUNY 50 Under 50 Alumni Award Poster for 2025

Three CUNY SPS Alumni Featured on 2025 ‘50 Under 50’ List

January 08, 2026

Alums Leonard Blades, Monique Francis, and Darnell Wold are among the talented and distinguished CUNY graduates selected for this honor in 2025.
Former CUNY SPS Academic Director, Mariette Bates

CUNY SPS Community Memorializes Life of Beloved Academic Director

November 19, 2025

The CUNY SPS community shared heartwarming personal memories of Dr. Mariette Bates, the School's founding academic director of its Disability Studies programs.