Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: November 7, 2024
  • Spring 2025 Regular Deadline: December 5, 2024

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

  • Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: November 7, 2024
  • Spring 2025 Regular Deadline: December 5, 2024
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

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

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.”

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

CUNY SPS Disability Studies alum Molly Joyce composes soundtrack to documentary film Patrice The Movie

Patrice: The Movie

October 01, 2024

ABC News Studio

Two-time CUNY SPS graduate Molly Joyce ( Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies '21 and MA Disability Studies '23) composed the soundtrack for the ABC News Studios film, 'Patrice: The Movie.' The documentary examines the next frontier of marriage equality—disability. The film features a loving disabled couple who want to get married and spend their lives together—but they know that by even simply cohabitating, the government benefits they need to survive would be cut. The documentary is available to stream on Hulu.

Disability Rights Advocate John Robinson Joins Office of Microcredentials

September 24, 2024

Syracuse University News

CUNY SPS alum John Robinson (MA Disability Studies '23) was recently appointed as professor of practice at Syracuse University's College of Professional Studies' Office of Microcredentials. As a committed advocate for disability rights, Robinson will also help coordinate and scale the Workshop in Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities, a non-credit microcredential program designed to empower people with disabilities to either become entrepreneurs or to be better prepared for employment.

One in Five

August 01, 2024

Providence

CUNY SPS alum Sarah Quinto (MA Disability Studies, ‘22) co-hosted the ground-breaking podcast series, "One In Five." The podcast examines disability discrimination and health equity, a topic that is often inadequately discussed. Two segments of the series feature additional CUNY SPS alums: Heather Harris (MA Disability Studies, ‘21) in Episode 2, and Casey Doherty (MA Disability Studies, ‘23) in Episode 4.
CUNY SPS BA in Disability Studies student Lennyn Jacob

Strengthening Support for Students with Disabilities

July 24, 2024

Bronx Times

BA in Disability Studies student Lennyn Jacob was quoted in this Bronx Times Op-Ed, which detailed CUNY's various programs to strengthen support for students with disabilities.