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Department of Human Development and Family Studies
College of Health and Human Sciences

Human Development and Family Studies Certificate in Disability and Neurodiversity​

This certificate program in disability and neurodiversity will offer you rich opportunities to understand and support diverse populations, including neurodiverse individuals. This program will engage you in gaining knowledge and practical skills to support a variety of individuals with disabilities.

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Why Earn a Certificate in Disability and Neurodiversity?

While definitions and statistical tracking vary, the World Health Organization estimates that 15-16% of the global population has a disability, and this figure is as high as 28.7%, or about 1 in 4 people in the U.S., as estimated by the Centers for Disease Control. These statistics highlight the critical need for professionals who are well-versed in diversity and neurodiversity. By earning this certificate, you will gain skills to support this population while optimizing your career and life goals.

Address

Address issues related to inclusion, ableism, stigma, empowerment, and identity politics.​

Optimize

Optimize the health and well-being of children/ adults with disabilities.​

Learn

Learn the causes of, and interventions for, commonly occurring disabilities and health conditions.

Program Requirements

  • 3 credits: HDFS 315 Disability Across Lifespan and Culture (spots open!)​
  • 6 credits: interdisciplinary courses​
  • 3 credits: experiential learning related to disabilities/neurodiversity (practicum or internship​; research or honors thesis​; Campus Connections; RAM Scholars)
Girl smiles while sitting on a couch talking to two other individuals who have their backs to the camera

Curriculum

Certificate in Disability and Neurodiversity​

Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

In-depth curriculum:

You’ll explore both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of diversity and neurodiversity, covering cultural sensitivity, inclusion strategies, and the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. This program draws from courses across departments, giving you a well-rounded understanding of disabilities and neurodiversity.

Wide range of course offerings with personalization:

Choose from a broad selection of courses to tailor the certificate to your specific interests and career goals.

How will I gain experience?

You will acquire hands-on, real-world experience through internships and practicums that involve direct interaction with diverse groups.

What careers can this certificate prepare me for?

The Disability and Neurodiversity Certificate will help prepare you to support and include individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity in teaching, therapy, healthcare (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, and language pathology), medicine, early intervention, social work, advocacy and policy, and human resources, to name a few. (We even had a business major focusing on tourism, so express interest in the certificate.)

How can I describe this to future fieldwork supervisors, employers, family members, and friends?

Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This certificate shows you have specialized training in these areas. This certificate will set you apart by providing a unique skill set, including specialized knowledge and skills for working with individuals with disabilities, including neurodiversity. This skill set is an essential competency in many fields.