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This graduate certificate provides training to people desiring to work in positions that support individuals with disabilities in institutions of higher education.
This certificate will prepare you to become a Disability Resource Specialist in a post-secondary setting. Disability Resource Specialists play a vital role in promoting access and ensuring reasonable accommodations are provided to individuals with a wide range of disabilities so that they can participate fully and successfully in a post-secondary environment. This Certificate program is designed for individuals with bachelors or master’s degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, Counseling, Educational Psychology or other related fields.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 12 |
| Major GPA | 3.0 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
Disability Resource Specialists play a vital role in promoting access and ensuring reasonable accommodations are provided to individuals with a wide range of disabilities so that they can participate fully and successfully in a post-secondary environment. The purpose of this graduate certificate is to prepare personnel who will not only address work force demand, but also support persons with disabilities to access and participate more fully in all post-secondary environments, programs, and activities in order to ultimately have the same opportunities as their peers who do not have a disability.
Participants in the program will be introduced to a disability studies approach that respects the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and identifies environmental and attitudinal barriers that may prevent full participation in life activities. They will learn about the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Fair Housing Act. They will also learn how those statutes and regulations impact and apply to post-secondary educational environments. Participants will learn and practice the application of specific procedural tools to address the broad range of questions and situations that staff in a Disability Resource Office encounter, from eligibility as a person with a disability to determination of academic adjustments to fundamental alteration protocols. This will be achieved through analysis of federal regulations, guidance and court rulings that will then be applied to hypothetical and theoretical case presentations. Participating students will develop and refine their skills by working in a Disability Resource office supervised by a trained DR Specialist in DIS 608. It is critical that all participants learn how apply their knowledge learned through the other three courses in the certificate enabling them to be more effective DR Specialists. This graduate certificate provides training to people desiring to work in positions that support individuals with disabilities in institutions of higher education.
This Certificate program is designed for individuals with bachelors or master’s degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, Counseling, Educational Psychology or other related fields. The certificate will meet the needs of individuals looking to enter the field of Disability Resources in higher education, Disability Resources professionals already in the field as well as Higher Education Administrators whose portfolio includes offices with these functions.
Student Learning Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.