Special Education Prospective Students Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society

Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society

This fully online certificate provides opportunities for students to enhance their knowledge of disabilities by deepening their understanding of implications of disabilities for professional practice. The focus is on how disabilities are perceived, ways people with disabilities are included, and legal aspects of disability policies within and beyond practices in education systems.
This certificate is a total of 12 credit hours. Information about current tuition for online graduate coursework in our college can be found here: Tuition and Fees.
Non-degree seeking students may enroll in the certificate programs. Degree-seeking students may also apply for certificates in our program. All certificates require the completion of 12-credit hours. Please note that these certificates do not yield teacher certification. Those interested in completing a certificate must fill out the University of Florida’s application for admissions.

Please contact Dr. Ashley MacSuga Gage at asmg@coe.ufl.edu for more information.

Program Highlights

As a result of completing the Graduate Certificate in Disabilities in Society you will be able to apply disability-related knowledge within your own academic discipline, professional practice, and community involvement.

Graduates will be able to:

  • Describe the rationale for understanding disabling conditions and their implications for people who experience them.
  • Identify, analyze, and synthesize literature in disability issues and legal requirements as relevant to their academic discipline, professional practice, and community involvement.
  • Articulate, evaluate, and apply disability perspectives within their academic discipline and professional practice.

Program Curriculum

All the courses listed are required for completion of the certificate.
However, students may enroll in any of the courses outlined as part of their coursework in other graduate level studies.

Required Courses

  • EEX 6099: Social Perspectives on Disability
    This course provides a framework for understanding disabilities and disability-related issues within societal contexts. It examines (1) historical and contemporary views of people with disabilities, (2) disability-related issues with respect to education, inclusion, and advocacy, and (3) perceptions of people with disabilities with respect to acceptance and inclusion in society.
  • EEX 6525: Disability Policy and Legislation
    This course will cover the development and enactment of laws and policies designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities including the Americans with Disabilities Act and other significant legislation. Students will review recent and pending court cases that affect various aspects of adult life for persons with disabilities.
  • EEX 6778: Community and Work Access for Individuals with Disabilities
    This course will cover aspects of the community, work and postsecondary education experience for adults with disabilities. Potential concerns of employers, co-workers and friends will be addressed. Effective practices that foster accepting and supporting environments thus ensuring successful life outcomes for adults with disabilities will be discussed.
  • EEX 6930: Seminar in Disabilities
    This course is designed for students to develop a summary project based on the integration of supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace, postsecondary education, community, and life. Students will develop individual projects.
Please note the following University of Florida Graduate School certificate requirements:

  1. No course substitutions are permitted for certificates
  2. No transfer credits are permitted for certificates
  3. Students must apply and be accepted into a certificate program BEFORE they have earned half the required courses (in our case, before 6 hours are earned)
  4. Students must apply to receive their certificate in the semester in which they plan to finish it

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    Program Requirement

    For additional questions or concerns or to check on the status of your application please email Dr. Ashley MacSuga Gage asmg@coe.ufl.edu.

    Program Highlight

    Entry: Any Semester
    Typical Course Load: 5 courses
    Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
    Application Deadline: November 15th for spring admission; March 15th for fall admission
    Average Class Size: Not Applicable
    Program Completion: 2 semesters