Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Texas Center for Disability Studies, School of Nursing, College of Education, College of Fine Arts, and College of Liberal Arts
The Minor in Disability Studies (DS) is designed to broaden a student’s conception of disability with a focus on the social context and cultural representations of disability. Disability Studies is an interdisciplinary approach that adds breadth to the traditional, primarily medical, view of disability. Disability Studies reframes the study of disability with a social/cultural/political paradigm, using a minority group model to critically examine existing beliefs, images, ideologies, policies, and stereotypes about disability. The Steve Hicks School of Social Work is here.
Admission Requirements
Students may enter the DS portfolio program at any point in their undergraduate work, but it is recommended that they do so as soon as they decide to pursue the portfolio. The following information is requested in the application:
- A statement of purpose, including previous experience related to individuals with disabilities, relationship of DS to the student’s program of studies, and relationship of DS to future career goals.
- Proof of enrollment and good academic standing in an approved degree program (minimum GPA of 2.5).
- Consent from the student’s Advisor for participation in the DS portfolio area.
Course Requirements
Coursework for the DS Minor consists of three core courses and two three-hour electives.
| Requirements | Hours | |
| S W 325 | Foundations of Social Justice | 3 |
| S W 360K | Current Social Work Topics (Topic: The Social Context of Disability) | 3 |
| S W 360K | Current Social Work Topics (Topic: Making Systems Work for People with Disabilities) | 3 |
| Six hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| ALD 322 | Individual Differences | |
| ANT 302 | Cultural Anthropology | |
| ANT 349C | Human Variation | |
| CSD 306K | Introduction to Communication Disorders | |
| CSD 308K | Perspectives on Deafness | |
| E 376M | Studies in Ethnic American Literature | |
| EDP 376T | Topics in Educational Psychology | |
| N 347 | Specialized Topics in Nursing | |
| SED 303 | Autism Spectrum Disorder: Truths and Consequences | |
| S W 311 | Introductory Topics in Social Work (Topic 1: Sign Language for Social Workers I) | |
| KIN 352K | Studies in Human Movement: Topical Studies | |
| KIN 360 | Programming for People with Disabilities | |
| S W 360K | Current Social Work Topics | |
| Please Note: | ||
| All courses in the disability studies minor must be taken on a letter grade basis, and students must earn a minimum grade of a C. | ||
Getting Started
To begin your application, e-mail us with your interests and intentions. Upon approval submit a brief letter of intent and purpose, proof of active full time enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin, and approval from your academic advisor. After your application is reviewed, you will be contacted for any further information and discussions and, if accepted, you will be welcomed into the program and assigned to an advisor.