Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2024 Priority Deadline: April 1, 2024
  • Fall 2024 Regular Deadline: June 18, 2024

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 2024 Priority Deadline: April 1, 2024
  • Fall 2024 Regular Deadline: June 18, 2024
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

CUNY SPS Disability Studies Alum Danielle Lopez

Disability Studies Alum Named Director of Accessibility Services

January 18, 2024

ROI-NJ

Danielle Lopez, a CUNY SPS Disability Studies alum, will assume the role of director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for accessibility services at the Hudson County Community College.
cuny-sps-foundation-board-with-anniversary-cake.jpg

CUNY SPS Marks 10th Annual Scholarship Reception with Student Success Stories and Anniversary Toast

November 21, 2023

The CUNY SPS community celebrated the Annual Scholarship Reception's 10th anniversary with a festive event that honored scholarship recipients and generous donors. 

Student Leaders at CUNY SPS August 2023 Retreat

Retreat Builds Skills and Confidence for Student Leaders

October 25, 2023

Students who attended the "Elevate Your Leadership" retreat this August made connections and gained important leadership skills.

NDEAM 2023 official poster featuring field of red, gray, teal, blue and yellow and words “Advancing Access & Equity,"

Honoring National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023

October 16, 2023

This October, students and faculty from the CUNY SPS disability studies programs will host events exploring disability employment issues.