Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: April 3, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: June 20, 2023

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
  • Interdisciplinary Disability Studies

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

Meet Our Faculty

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 2023 Priority Deadline: April 3, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: June 20, 2023
Apply Now

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

Disability Studies Student and Advocate Shares Her Story

April 27, 2023

Lennyn Jacob, a student in the CUNY SPS BA in Disability Studies program, describes her journey as a student, parent, professional, and disabilities advocate.

CUNY SPS Honors Legendary Disability Rights Activist

April 21, 2023

Judy Heumann, known as the mother as the disability rights movement, was an inspiration for the CUNY SPS disability studies programs.

Celebrating CUNY Disability Awareness Month 2023

April 04, 2023

CUNY SPS is proud to observe the month with several events and a chat with the disability studies programs' new academic director, Dr. Andrew Marcum.

CUNY SPS Student and PEWL Stakeholder Land on NY Higher Ed Top 100 List

March 21, 2023

CUNY SPS is very proud of the members of our community featured on City & State's annual list, which recognizes New York's most influential academic leaders.