BS in Disability and Human Development

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Disability and Human Development degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Disability and Human Development degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Applied Health Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Summary of Requirements
University Writing Requirement6
General Education Requirements18
Major Requirements (Core and DHD Electives)34-35
Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours61-62
Total Hours120

University Writing Requirement 

Required Courses
ENGL 160Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts3
ENGL 161Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research3
Total Hours6

General Education Requirements

Required Courses a
Analyzing the Natural World course3-5
Understanding the Individual and Society course3-4
Understanding the Past course3
Exploring World Cultures course3
Additional General Education courses from any category b3-6
Total Hours18
a

The University General Education requirement is 24 hours distributed across six categories. The Understanding U.S. Society and Understanding the Creative Arts requirements are met by required courses within the major (DHD 101 and DHD 102).

b

Students take additional General Education courses from any of the six General Education categories to reach the required 24 hours of General Education coursework.

Major Requirements (Core and DHD Elective)

Core Courses
DHD 100Disability and Human Development Seminar a1
DHD 101Disability in U.S. Society b3
DHD 102Disability in American Film c3
DHD 201Disability, Rights, and Culture3
DHD 202Disability, Health, and Society3
DHD 301Disability, Research, and Interdisciplinary Methods3
DHD 302Disability, Policy, and Law3
DHD 303Disability Activism: From the Local to the Global3
DHD 400Disability and Human Development Capstone1
DHD 401Disability, Human Development and Community Participation3
DHD Elective Courses
Select three of the following:9
Disability in World Cultures
Disability in the Humanities
Disability, Race, Class and Gender
Disability, Inclusive Cities, and Environmental Accessibility
Cultural Politics of Disability and Health
Disability Through the Lifecourse
Disability Legal Studies
Introduction to Assistive Technology: Principles and Practice
Topics in Disability Studies
Special Topics in Disability and Human Development
Total Hours34-35
a

Transfer students are not required to complete DHD 100 as part of the DHD core courses and will earn a total of 34 hours in core courses. The additional hour will be made up in elective hours.

b

Satisfies the Understanding U.S. Society General Education requirement.

c

Satisfies the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirement.

Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours

Courses
Electives to reach minimum total hours61-62
Total Hours61-62

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
DHD 100 Disability and Human Development Seminar 1
DHD 101 Disability in U.S. Society a 3
DHD 102 Disability in American Film b 3
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
General Education course (Analyzing the Natural World) 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
DHD 201 Disability, Rights, and Culture 3
DHD 202 Disability, Health, and Society 3
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
General Education course (Understanding the Past) 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
DHD Elective 3
General Education course (Exploring World Cultures) 3
Electives 9
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD Elective 3
DHD 300-Level Core 3
General Education course (Understanding the Individual and Society) 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
DHD 300-Level Core 3
Additional General Education Course 3
Electives 9
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD 401 Disability, Human Development and Community Participation 3
Additional General Education Course 3
Electives 9
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
DHD Elective 3
DHD 300-Level Core 3
Electives 9
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD 400 Disability and Human Development Capstone 1
Electives 13
 Hours14
 Total Hours120
a

Satisfies the Understanding U.S. Society General Education requirement.

b

Satisfies the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirement.