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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Disability Studies Minor

Disability Studies Minor (20 credits)

The Disability Studies minor offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on disability within society. The program challenges traditional medical and pathologizing views of disability, promoting a social model emphasizing societal barriers and attitudes as key factors in the disability experience. The minor is ideal for students in fields such as education, healthcare, social work, public health, psychology, and public policy. The minor equips students with the knowledge and skills to promote inclusion, challenge ableism, and create more accessible and equitable communities.

Students will examine representations of people with disabilities in media, literature, and public discourse, analyzing how these portrayals shape societal perceptions and impact lived experiences. The minor explores the concept of inclusion, emphasizing the creation of environments and experiences that are equitable for all. Through coursework and practical experiences with the disability community, students gain an understanding of disability as a form of diversity. Students learn to recognize and challenge barriers to full participation and develop strategies for creating inclusive environments across various settings.

Website

www.gvsu.edu/rectx

Requirements for a Minor in Disability Studies (20 credits)

Required Courses (8 credits)

Electives Courses (12 credits)

Participating Programs

Allied Health Sciences www.gvsu.edu/ahs/

Students majoring in Allied Health Sciences are often seeking to pursue graduate studies in histotechnology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, public health, and speech language pathology. Adding a Disability Studies minor will prepare students to work with the people with disabilities seeking healthcare services. American Sign Language is also housed in the AHS department.

Anthropology www.gvsu.edu/anthropology/

Anthropology is the study of humans and includes understanding humans from an archaeological, cultural, linguistic, and biological perspective. It values respect for human dignity, openness to explore and understand, and is committed to improving and understanding the human condition. Understanding how this impacts people with disabilities, as well as the unique experiences and culture of people with disabilities, is important in Disability Studies.

Communication Sciences and Disorders www.gvsu.edu/csd/

Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students to become speech language pathologists and audiologists, who will work with people who have speech, hearing, swallowing, and communication disorders. The Disability Studies minor will provide support and promote understanding of a variety of disabilities, disability cultures, and experiences.

Education - Special Education www.gvsu.edu/education/undergraduate/undergraduate-special-education-program-27.htm

Special educators work with children and young adults with disabilities in various school-based settings. The Disability Studies minor will help students understand a broad perspective enabling them to serve students with disabilities.

Movement Science www.gvsu.edu/move-sci/

Understanding adaptations, movement patterns, and inclusion in physical activity in school and the community creates a more equitable and inclusive world. Sport offers a unique opportunity to include individuals with disabilities in lifetime activities that are competition and participation based. Fitness classes are housed within the Movement Science department. Fitness classes utilized experiential learning through physical activity, including fitness and physical activity for people with disabilities.

History www.gvsu.edu/history/

History allows people to understand and interpret the past. In combination with the Disability Studies minor, students can learn about the history of disability, advocacy, movements, and ideas around disability and achievements of people with disabilities.

Psychology www.gvsu.edu/psychology

Psychology offers a variety of specialty areas that require an understanding of the mind and behavior, and how they work together for our thoughts, actions, and emotions. Psychology and Disability Studies help students understand how people grow and develop, as well as how people behave and interact with others.

Recreational Therapy www.gvsu.edu/rectx

Recreational therapists work with people who live with disabilities, chronic conditions and unique challenges utilizing recreational and experiential activities to promote health, well-being, and quality of life. The Disability Studies minor goes hand in hand with recreational therapy, promoting and advocating for people with disabilities in all aspects of life.

Sociology www.gvsu.edu/sociology/

Sociology examines the world and society within the context of social and environmental interaction and explores the interplay between the person and society. Students studying sociology can better understand the role of people with disabilities in society and the impact of disability on the individual and society through the Disability Studies minor.

Social Work www.gvsu.edu/ssw/

Social workers work with people of all abilities to promote well-being and to advocate for social justice and equity. Social workers work with people who have disabilities to find resources, obtain jobs, education and housing, and engage with their communities.

Visual and Media Arts www.gvsu.edu/vma/

The Art Department encourages students to explore their place in and relationship to the world around them. Art should be accessible to all people regardless of ability and its inclusion in the Disability Studies minor promotes inclusion and adaptation of the arts to differing abilities.


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