Academic Catalog

Disabilities (Graduate Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in Disabilities prepares students to assume leadership positions as service providers, policy makers, administrators or educators. Students learn to plan creatively and to implement activities that positively affect the lives of persons with disabilities. The program provides a useful educational experience to those committed to the full community inclusion of persons with disabilities. Course work reflects disability issues throughout the life-span and focuses specifically on disability issues in urban settings. The program is a collaborative effort of the Developmental Disabilities Institute and the following academic units:

  • the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and Department of Psychology, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;
  • the College of Nursing;
  • the Department of Occupational Therapy, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Services;
  • the vocational rehabilitation counseling program in the Theoretical and Behavioral Foundation division, and the special education program in the Teacher Education division, College of Education;
  • and the School of Social Work.

Applicants must meet the admissions standards of the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. Eligibility for the certificate is limited to persons possessing a master’s degree from an accredited educational institution or persons actively enrolled in a graduate degree program at Wayne State University.

The graduate certificate in Disabilities program includes at least fifteen graduate credits taken in association with, or subsequent to, obtaining a master’s degree. Ten credits are earned through completion of the three required courses and a minimum of five credits of electives. At least five credits must differ from the course requirements of the graduate degree being pursued concurrently. A master’s degree within the student’s discipline must be completed before the certificate is awarded. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the School of Social Work and the Graduate School governing graduate scholarship and degrees.

Required Certificate Curriculum
SW 6700Disabilities in Urban Society: Special Topics3
SW 6740Seminar in Disability Studies: Directed Study3
SW 6750Practicum in Disabilities: Research Topics4
Additional electives5
Total Credits15

Courses include ten credits in core courses and a minimum of five elective credits. The electives allow students to specialize in a particular area of practice or research, as well as in a particular age range of people with disabilities. At least five credits must differ from the course requirements of the graduate degree being pursued concurrently.

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