Disability Studies Minor

for the Undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies

The undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies focuses on the physical, behavioral, biological, and social aspects of disability and chronic health conditions. There are no prerequisites for this minor. The curriculum blends cultural and clinical perspectives of disability in society to allow for multiple approaches to understanding disability and to enable individual tailoring to meet students’ varied career interests (e.g., medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and audiology).

Please refer to the Student Success @ Illinois website for additional information regarding policies related to undergraduate minors.

for the Undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies

The undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies focuses on the physical, behavioral, biological, and social aspects of disability and chronic health conditions. The minor can include coursework from a broad array of departments, thus accommodating students from different disciplines across the campus. There are no prerequisites for this minor.  The curriculum blends cultural and clinical perspectives of disability in society to allow for multiple approaches to understanding disability and to enable individual tailoring to meet students’ varied career interests.

Please refer to the Provost's Office policy for additional information related to undergraduate minors.

Minimum required course work: Students must take at least six hours of advanced (300-level or 400-level courses) and six hours of coursework must be distinct from credit earned for the student’s major or another minor.

Foundational Courses (Required):9
HK 302Disability in American Society3
RST 260Disability in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
SHS 433Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across Communication Contexts3
Elective Courses:Minimum of 9
ARTD 420Disability Design3
HDFS 208Child and Family Inclusion: Disability, Health, and Diversity3
HK 405Aging with Disability3
HK 407Disability, Culture & Society3
HK 411Approaches to Health Education and Advocacy3
HK 442Body, Culture & Society3
HK 446Physical Activity & Diverse Populations3
HK 463Adapted Physical Education3
HK 472Health and Kinesiology Study Abroad3
HK 480Medical Aspects of Disability4
HK 481Work and Disability2
HK 482Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals3
HK 484Psychosocial Aspects in Health and Rehabilitation3
HK 485Assessment in the Rehabilitation Setting3
RST 230Diversity in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism3
SHS 170Intro Hum Comm Sys & Disorders3
SHS 222Language & Culture of Deaf Communities3
SHS 270Comm Disability in the Media4
SHS 380Comm Competence and Disorders3
SHS 427Language and the Brain3
SHS 480Understanding Disability and Assistive Technology2
SPED 117The Culture of Disability3
SOCW 370Social Work and Disability Studies3
Total HoursMinimum of 18

for the Undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies

  1. Increase cultural competency by critically examining disability as a global societal phenomenon.
  2. Acquire an awareness and understanding of the various roles and rights of people with disability in history and in modern society.
  3. Examine ways in which systems inhibit and promote full participation of people with disabilities.
  4. Develop analytical and observation skills and apply inclusive disability frameworks to your academic, professional, and personal life.

Programs in Health and Kinesiology

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for the Undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies

Health and Kinesiology

Health and Kinesiology Department website
Health and Kinesiology Faculty

College of Applied Health Sciences

Applied Health Sciences College Catalog page
Applied Health Sciences College website

To declare the minor or ask questions about the requirements, please contact:
Dr. Andiara Schwingel, Dr. Whitney Wolff, or Staci Baxley, (217) 333-2307.