The undergraduate Certificate in Disability and Neurodiversity provides an interdisciplinary understanding of individuals across the lifespan with disabilities and is relevant to majors and careers in health, education, rehabilitation, and human service professions. Students will explore how disabilities interact with health, life outcomes, family, society, stigma, and the physical environment, and intersect with identities such as race and gender. This certificate consists of basic coursework as well as experiential learning through research or field experiences. This certificate is open to students in all majors.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy, definitions, and rights related to disabilities and developmental disabilities.
- Use content knowledge to investigate or optimize the development, health, and well-being of individuals with disabilities.
- Acquire knowledge regarding the causes, outcomes, and interventions of commonly occurring disabilities and health conditions (e.g., congenital disabilities, diabetes, spinal cord injuries).
- Describe concepts related to independence, inclusion, ableism, stigma, self-determination, empowerment, access, identity politics, and inclusion of individual differences as they relate to disability, life stage, and culture.
Effective Fall 2025
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites. A minimum of 9 credits must be upper division. Some elective courses are restricted to majors, minors, or honors students. Other related courses may be substituted upon approval of the certificate advisor. Additionally, students may double-count a maximum of 6 credits towards this certificate from any of the following programs of study: HDFS or Early Childhood Education majors, the HDFS Minor, the Certificate in Youth Mentoring with Campus Connections, the Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, the Certificate in Adaptive Exercise, or the Interdisciplinary Minors in Gerontology and American Sign Language.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course: | ||
| HDFS 315 | Disability Across the Lifespan and Culture | 3 |
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Techniques in Therapeutic Riding | ||
| Introduction to Critical Disability Studies | ||
| Disability, Race, Gender in the Environment | ||
| Foundational Helping Skills | ||
| Disabilities in Early Childhood Education | ||
or PSY 460 | Child Exceptionality and Psychopathology | |
| Wonder Years-Socioemotional Journey Ages 3-8 | ||
| Mental and Physical Health in Adulthood | ||
| Population Health and Disease Prevention | ||
or HES 354 | Theory of Health Behavior | |
| Inclusive Fitness Training | ||
LASL *** American Sign Language | ||
| Introduction to Music Therapy 1 | ||
| The Disability Experience in Society | ||
One course from the following may count: | ||
| Lifespan Development (GT-SS3) | ||
| Infant and Child Development in Context | ||
| Adult Development-Middle Age and Aging | ||
| Baby Steps-Development from 0-3 Years | ||
| Select a minimum of 3 credits directly related to disabilities from the following 2 | 3 | |
| Human Services Internship: Gerontology 3 | ||
| Student Teaching 2 | ||
| Student Teaching: Elementary 2 | ||
| Student Teaching: Secondary 2 | ||
| Student Teaching: Early Childhood 2 | ||
HDFS 286A-E Practicum | ||
| Inclusive Mentoring for Neurodiverse Peers | ||
| Campus Connections: Youth Mentor | ||
HDFS 488A-E Internship 1 | ||
| Research: Human Development | ||
| Practicum–Wellness Program Management 1 | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis 4 | ||
| Practice-Based Learning 1 | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 12 | |
- 1
Restricted to majors only.
- 2
Only practica, internships, research assistantships, and theses focused on disabilities or neurodiversity are eligible and must be verified by the HDFS department. Other courses are eligible as appropriate.
- 3
Restricted to Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minors only.
- 4
Restricted to honors students only.