Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

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Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2026 Extended Priority Deadline: April 21, 2026
  • Fall 2026 Extended Regular Deadline: July 2, 2026
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Disability Studies is an emerging academic field that explores disability and society through the lens of overlapping perspectives, including social sciences, humanities, science, and the law. The BA in Disability Studies online degree program provides a ‘person-centered’ approach to the study of disability. As the first undergraduate program of its kind in the country, the program provides graduates with the skills to improve the lives of people with disabilities and with an educational credential to advance their careers.

The BA in Disability Studies program offers both a strong foundation in disability theory and history as well as opportunities for in-depth study in one of four concentrations:

  • Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Mental/Behavioral Health
  • Arts, Culture, and Design

Students in the BA in Disability Studies:

  • Learn the history that many textbooks overlook
  • Develop strategies and skills to support children and adults with disabilities
  • Learn how to interpret disability law and policy
  • Acquire concrete skills to remove social and physical barriers to full inclusion and integration
  • Read first-hand experiences of people with disabilities
  • Learn new ways of thinking about disability and society

Career and Academic Prospects

Graduates of the BA in Disability Studies program gain the knowledge, values, and skills that are sought by agencies providing services to individuals in community programs. Graduates are also prepared for graduate work in disability studies, social work, rehabilitation counseling, physical and occupational therapy, education, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and liberal studies.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are formal agreements between CUNY School of Professional Studies, (CUNY SPS) and two-year colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer the maximum number of credits with ease to our BA in Disability Studies program from institutions with which we have an established transfer process in place.

Scholarship Opportunities

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Upcoming Events for Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

Start Strong! CUNY SPS Orientation Kickoff
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Academic Director, Disability Studies

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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.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2026 Extended Priority Deadline: April 21, 2026
  • Fall 2026 Extended Regular Deadline: July 2, 2026
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Student/Alumni Profiles

Shivan Mahabir

BA in Disability Studies 2019

"CUNY SPS has expanded my knowledge and understanding about interacting and working with people with disabilities. It helped me become the assistant director of assistive technology at the College of Staten Island."

Recent news about Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

As Federal Disability Oversight Shifts, Advocates Warn History Is Being Ignored

July 14, 2026

SmartBrief

Dr. Andrew Marcum, CUNY SPS academic director of the Disability Studies programs, provides expert testimony in this SmartBrief article on the disability community's concerns about recent aggressive downsizing and restructuring at the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Marcum voices concern over the shifting of special education to the US Department of Health and Human Services. “The reason that we stopped having the health department oversee education for disabled students is because of the recognition that it’s not a health issue, it’s an educational issue,” Dr. Marcum said. “It’s how do we make our classrooms accessible? How do we make our curriculum accessible? How do we make the teaching accessible?” Of equal concern is that the civil rights of disabled students will no longer be enforced through the Department of Education. Instead, enforcement was transferred to the US Department of Justice. Dr. Marcum said that history shows why advocates are wary of treating civil rights as administrative details. “People fought for these protections and rights over a period of decades,” he said. “Congress itself enacted these measures, and the courts ratified these measures.”

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.
Male CUNY SPS Student Gazes At His Laptop

Inaugural Capstone Showcase Celebrates Groundbreaking Student Research

June 11, 2026

This all-day virtual event featured back-to-back presentations highlighting innovative scholarship from students in the School's undergraduate and graduate programs.
CUNY SPS Class of 2026 Grads Cheer During Commencement Ceremony

CUNY SPS Class of 2026 Marks Milestone Achievement in Uplifting Ceremony

June 04, 2026

At a joyous—and confetti-filled—Commencement ceremony at Barclays Center, speakers lauded CUNY SPS' largest-ever graduating class for their perseverance and determination to overcome obstacles and cross the finish line.
CUNY SPS End of Year Celebration

CUNY SPS SEEK Students and Grads Observe 60th Anniversary of CUNY Program at School’s 3rd Annual End of Year Celebration

May 19, 2026

On May 13, CUNY SPS held its third annual SEEK End of Year Celebration, honoring graduate and student achievements while marking the SEEK program's 60th anniversary with a ceremony featuring multiple activities.