Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, 330 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1006; fax: 612-624-3377)

The certificate in disability policy and services is designed to allow graduate and undergraduate students, as well as community professionals, to study policies and services that affect the lives of children, youth, and adults with disabilities. The 12-credit program surveys the spectrum of education, health, and social services available to individuals with disabilities and their families, and examines the public and private networks of disability services from an interdisciplinary perspective. While the program addresses the needs of people with all types of disabilities, it emphasizes developmental disabilities across the lifespan. The program's individualized learning experience (ILE) requires students to integrate theory with practice by completing a disability-related research project or working directly with people with disabilities in settings such as schools, recreation centers, or human-service agencies.

1) Specialized coursework (6 cr): A list of 50 approved courses fulfilling this requirement can obtained by contacting the Institute on Community Integration coordinator (Beth Fondel, fond0030@umn.edu) This component broadens the student's level of knowledge in disability policies and services. Students must choose from courses offered across the University focusing on disability policy, disability services, and/or interdisciplinary teaming, such as communication disorders, family social science, kinesiology, nursing, public affairs, or social work. 2) Individualized learning experience (ILE) and interdisciplinary reflection groups (3 cr/200 hours): This component allows students to integrate and apply the information they have learned in coursework. Students work with the ICI certificate coordinator to design an individualized learning experience (ILE) in which they work with persons who have disabilities in settings like schools, recreation centers, health clinics, or human-service agencies. Students with considerable direct experience may alternatively design a project focusing on disability-related research, policy advocacy, governmental services, or other agency activities. The ILE can be completed in one or two semesters, but must total at least three credits and at least 200 hours. Students also participate in at least six, one-hour interdisciplinary reflection groups to discuss relevant topics and ways to integrate field experiences with coursework. Reflection groups are offered throughout the year, including the summer session.