Disability Studies and Community Inclusion Minor, B.A., B.A.A., B.S.

Advisors: JoDell Heroux (students with last names A-M) and Shay Dawson (students with last names N-Z)

The minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion will enable students to move from sympathetic to empathetic approaches of empowerment and engagement with people that have disabilities from diverse backgrounds and diagnoses. Students interested in this minor will learn to view disability through the lenses of the social and biopsychosocial models of disability as well as to focus on improving community inclusion. The Disability Studies & Community Inclusion minor is designed to complement undergraduate majors in health professions (pre-med, pre-PT, pre-OT), social work, communication disorders, therapeutic recreation, psychology, special education, business, hospitality, journalism and other areas of study.

Students interested in this academic program should contact an advisor in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration or the Department of Teacher and Special Education.

Admission Requirements, Retention and Termination Standards

Any undergraduate student admitted to CMU may apply. A 2.5 GPA is required for admission as well as a written statement of interest.

A grade of C (2.0) or better in the minor is required for graduation.

 

 

Program Requirements

Required Courses I (12 hours)

RPL 110	Experience of Disability & Social Marginalization	3(3-0)
RPL 210	Introduction to Recreational Therapy	3(3-0)
SPE 210	History of Disability	3(3-0)
SPE 370	Disability and Society	3(3-0)

Required Courses II (3 hours)

Select from the following:

RPL 312	Disability in Southeast Europe	3(3-0)
SPE 375	Disability Studies Capstone	3(3-0)

Note: One of these courses must be completed to fulfill the Required Course II requirement; the remaining course may be counted toward the required elective hours.

Electives (5-6 hours)

Select from the following:

ASL 100	Introduction to the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture	3(3-0)
CSD 230	Introduction to Speech, Language, and Hearing Disabilities/Differences	3(3-0)
DBI 101	Introduction to Deafblindness and Intervention	3(3-1)
HDF 110	Oppression: Roots and Impact on Human Development in the United States	3(3-0)
HDF 247	Introduction to Gerontology	3(3-0)
RPL 209	Inclusive Recreation with Diverse Populations	2(2-0)
RPL 312	Disability in Southeast Europe	3(3-0)
RPL 340	Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental Disabilities	3(3-0)
RPL 341	Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities	3(3-0)
RPL 342	Therapeutic Recreation: Behavioral Health	3(3-0)
RPL 345	Therapeutic Recreation: Gerontology	3(3-0)
SPE 375	Disability Studies Capstone	3(3-0)

Total: 20-21 semester hours