2024-2025

Disability Studies, Minor

Institute for Human Development

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This undergraduate minor explores the role of disability in society today and how society's concept of normalcy has shaped perceptions of disability. Students will build a firm realization that disability can be understood as one facet of human diversity. By pursuing foundational knowledge of the rapidly emerging field of disability studies, students will learn to think critically about the ways in which disabled persons have experienced inequality and oppression.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Research Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement
 
The minor in Disability Studies is an excellent complement to most majors. Its purpose is to assist students in acquiring foundational knowledge of the rapidly emerging field of disability studies. Students will learn to think critically about the ways inwhich disabled persons have experienced inequality and oppression. They will explore the role of disability in society today and how society concept of normalcy has shaped perceptions of disability. Students will build a firm realization that disability can be understood as one facet of human diversity

Student Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing the undergraduate minor in Disability Studies students will: 

  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of disabilities which affect persons across the lifespan and the social systems which support persons with disabilities at critical junctures in their lives.
  • Communicate that disability is part of human diversity and demonstrate understanding of this diversity and its impact on personal and societal attitudes.
  • Define disability from a number of different paradigms and compare and contrast different models of disability.
  • Discuss the concepts of person/family centeredness, functionality and participation and contrast it with diagnosis, handicap and limitations.
  • Investigate how public policy and disability rights play a role in society’s changing view of disabilities and how they affect supports and services.
  • Analyze how disability is represented across disciplines and in society through the arts, literature, media and other public domain areas.

Minor Requirements
Additional Information

  • 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.