Disability, Health, and Bodies (Undergraduate Certificate)

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Offered by the Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies , College of Arts and Sciences , the certificate in Disability, Health, and Bodies introduces students to the disciplines of critical disability studies, critical mad studies, critical autism studies, critical body studies, and critical fat studies. These fields encourage students to explore questions related to disability, neurodivergence, and bodily difference from intersectional and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students combine theoretical, methodological, educational, and advocacy perspectives that challenge and redefine legal, physical, policy, and attitudinal barriers toward people with disabilities and those deemed different. Students examine the social constructions of disability, madness, fatness, bodily and mental difference and examine the lived experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities and other physical and mental differences. The interdisciplinary program draws from analysis developed by scholars and practitioners in American studies, public health, psychology, philosophy, religion, advocacy, politics, and law.

Admission to the Program

Open to undergraduate degree and nondegree students.

Certificate Requirements

12 credit hours of approved coursework, with grades of C or better. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. A maximum of 3 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit

Course Requirements

Foundation (6 credit hours)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following: