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)47
Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours49
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 Seminar1
DHD 101Disability in U.S. Society a3
DHD 102Disability in Media b3
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 305Disability, Arts, and Culture3
DHD 353Introduction to Inclusive Disability Practice3
DHD 451Disability Communities, Careers, and Professionalism3
DHD 453Practicum in Interdisciplinary Disability Inclusion3
DHD 454Senior Capstone in Disability Inclusion1
DHD Elective Courses
Select four of the following:12
DHD 108
Introduction to ASL I
DHD 109
Introduction to ASL II
Inclusive Communication
Disability in World Cultures
Disability in the Humanities
Disability, Race, Class and Gender
Disability, Inclusive Cities, and Environmental Accessibility
DHD 207
Introduction to Deaf Culture
DHD 208
Intermediate ASL
Disability, Anatomy, and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
DHD 214
Audiological Concepts for Disability and Inclusive Communication
DHD 313
The Science of Speaking Disability and Phoenetics
DHD 314
Acoustics for Speech and Hearing in Diverse Populations
DHD 393
Independent Research
Disability in Latino Communities
Disability, Sexuality, and Health
Disability Policy, Technology, and Practice
Disability Representation, Culture, and Practice
Mental Health, Asian Americans, and Community Engagement
Introduction to Assistive Technology: Principles and Practice
Disability, Communication, and Social Participation
DHD 443
Empowering Communication and Disability Inclusive Practices
Special Topics in Disability and Human Development
Total Hours47
a

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

b

Satisfies the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirement.

Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours

Courses
Electives to reach minimum total hours49
Total Hours49

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 Media 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 305 Disability, Arts, and Culture 3
General Education course (Exploring World Cultures) 3
DHD Elective 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD 302 Disability, Policy, and Law 3
General Education course (Understanding the Individual and Society) 3
DHD Elective 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
DHD 301 Disability, Research, and Interdisciplinary Methods 3
DHD Elective 3
Additional General Education Course 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD 303 Disability Activism: From the Local to the Global 3
DHD 353 Introduction to Disability Inclusive Practice 3
DHD Elective 3
Additional General Education Course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
DHD 451 Disability Communities, Careers, and Professionalism 3
Electives 12
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DHD 453 Practicum in Interdisciplinary Disability Inclusion 1
DHD 454 Senior Capstone in Disability Inclusion 3
Electives 10
 Hours14
 Total Hours120
a

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

b

Satisfies the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirement.