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Academic Programs

DHD Students at a class

The Department of Disability and Human Development offers both Master's and Doctorate programs.

The Master of Science degree is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in human services, as well as research and scholarship in the disability field. Specializations include Disability Studies/Social Policy, Disability Ethics, Health Promotion, Organizations and Leadership, and Rehabilitation Technology.

Doctoral studies are available through an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Disability Studies. The Ph.D. Program prepares scholars and researchers for leadership roles in the study of disability as a complex phenomenon. It is the first Ph.D. program dedicated to Disability Studies in the United States and one of only a few in the world.

The Department also offers certificate programs in Assistive Technology and Management and Leadership in the Non-Profit Disability Organization.

Since our department and academic programs' inception in 1997 we have grown to 74 (41 MS, 33 PhD) graduate students who hail from over 13 countries. They are a diverse group of students with backgrounds from many different disciplines spanning the social sciences, humanities, and health fields. Over one third of the masters and doctoral students have a disability and many others have experience working with people with disabilities. Our graduates are finding careers ranging from academic appointments in the burgeoning field of Disability Studies, to leadership positions in social service and governmental agencies, to advocacy positions internationally.

 

Academic Programs: Enrollments at Start of Each Academic Year

Graph that represents the enrollment of students at the start of each academic year. In academic year 2003-04, 39 students were enrolled in the MS program and 37 in the PhD program. In academic year 2004-05, 41 students were enrolled in the MS program and 37 in the PhD program. In academic year 2005-06, 28 students were enrolled in the MS program and 38 in the PhD program. In academic year 2006-07, 19 students were enrolled in the ATU certificate program, 31 in the MS program and 28 in the PhD program. In academic year 2007-08, 27 students were enrolled in the ATU certificate program, 35 in the MS program and 39 in the PhD program. In academic year 2008-09, 35 students were enrolled in the ATU certificate program, 38 in MS program and 37 in the PhD program. In academic year 2009-2010, 35 students were enrolled in the ATU certificate program, 41 in the MS program, and 33 in the PhD program.

What Do Students Do After They Graduate?

Our graduates are finding careers ranging from academic appointments in the burgeoning field of Disability Studies (3 tenure track positions), to leadership positions in social service and government agencies (Policy Analyst, AUCD; Assistant Vice President for Development, Easter Seals), to advocacy positions internationally (Development Manager, International Paralympic Committee), to Prestigious post-doctorates (Marie Curie Fellowship).We have 14 Alumni from the PhD program and 44 Alumni from the Master's program.

“Thanks to the perspective and knowledge gained from the Disability Studies program at UIC, I have been able to develop a career internationally and in multiple areas.” - Amy Farkas, alumna, Development Manager, International Paralympic Committee.

Diversity of Students Currently Enrolled in Graduate Programs

 

Barbados
Canada
Chile
China
Columbia
Ghana
India
Israel
Korea
Nepal
Netherlands
Serbia
Spain
Taiwan
USA
USA Territory (Puerto Rico)		 Images of the flags of all countries listed

 

 

 
 

 

The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities,
Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) for the State of Illinois

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Department of Disability & Human Development IDHD