Disability Studies

The admission requirements for the Post Diploma Degree Completion program in Disability Studies are:

1. A Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a disability studies related field and/or discipline, from a public Ontario College (eg. Social Service Worker or Developmental Service Worker, please see below for a list of acceptable programs). The diploma must include a one-year (or equivalent) introductory university-level humanities or social science course or equivalent.

Notes:

1. Applicants are required to present a cumulative grade point average of 70%/B/3.0 or higher for admission consideration.
2. Acceptable public Ontario College Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs include:
   Aboriginal Community Advocacy
   Aboriginal Education: Community and Social Development
   Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate
   Behavioural Science Technology/ Behavioural Science/ Behavioural Sciences
   Child and Youth Worker/Child and Youth Care
   Community and Justice Services
   Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker)
   Community Development Work
   Community Worker
   Community Worker - Outreach and Development
   Developmental Service Worker
   Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
   Early Childhood Education
   Educational Support/ Educational Assistant/ Educational Assistant - Special Needs Support
   Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention
   Intervenor for Deaf-Blind Persons
   Mental Health and Addiction Worker
   Native Child and Family Services
   Peace and Conflict Studies
   Social Service Worker
   Social Service Worker - Native Specialization

Applicants with less than a 'B' average in a public Ontario College Diploma or Advanced Diploma program may be asked to complete up to two (2) single-term university level liberal studies courses before admission.  Other post-secondary academic backgrounds, and extensive work/advocacy experience in the field, will be considered on an individual basis.

Admission Procedures

Applicants are required to submit the following to Undergraduate Admissions in addition to their online application and Supplementary Form.

Visit Submission of Documents (opens in new window)  for instructions:

1. Academic transcripts of all post-secondary studies, including promotion/graduation status. High School transcripts are not required. Mature Student guidelines do not apply.
2. A personal letter explaining how attending this program will benefit the applicant and Disability Communities.  The letter should not exceed two pages, double spaced.  It will be read for both admission eligibility and selection of potential recipients of the David and Sylvia Pollack Entrance Award in Disability Studies

Students are admitted three times a year, in the fall, winter and spring/summer semesters.

Established in 1999, this program provides part-time university education to adults with a college diploma in the disability field or other related post-secondary academic credentials and work experience in a diverse range of fields. At the end of the equivalent of approximately two years of full time study, students will receive a Bachelor of Arts, (Disability Studies) from Ryerson University.

This degree program is designed to build on the direct practice skills that students have acquired from programs such as Developmental Services Worker, Educational Assistant, Mental Health and Addictions program and other disability studies related Ontario College diplomas and through work experience, (or other disability studies related post-secondary education and experience deemed suitable by the admissions committee), and to prepare them for leadership roles in a variety of areas including direct care, management, community development, policy, planning, and advocacy. In addition to paid careers, it is expected that some people, especially those within the disability community, will enrol in the program to enhance their ability to do effective advocacy.

In order to promote access for people from across Ontario (and perhaps elsewhere), all required courses will be available either as intensive on-site courses or through distance education. Some of these courses will also be available in traditional once-a-week class formats at Ryerson. Students registering for this degree program will need to be aware that they may be required to take up to three courses in the intensive on-site format, each course typically extending over a period of two weeks. Students will be able to take elective courses at Ryerson or, with a Letter of Permission, at other universities. The flexible modes of delivery that characterize this program will also facilitate access by people with disabilities.

Because students will be taking some courses through distance delivery, access to computer, Internet and the World Wide Web are essential. Students who are graduates of an Ontario College may be able to access computers at the college from which they graduated. However, students are strongly encouraged to purchase their own computers. Support in accessing computer based course material will be provided.

After accepting an Offer of Admission, applicants with two years of full-time (or equivalent) related work/advocacy experience may apply for credit in DST80A/B Practicum in Disability Studies through the Challenge Credit Application process. Please contact the School of Disability Studies for more information.

Applicants who acquire this experience during their time in the program may apply for Challenge Credit prior to graduation or must complete DST80A/B Practicum in Disability Studies.

Students must take DST 501 as their first required course. They may not take DST 99A/B until they have completed all other requirements for the degree. Students should note that certain liberal studies and professionally-related courses may have their own prerequisites.

Part-time courses are administered by either the program department or The G. Raymond School of Continuing Education. The mode of delivery is not reflected in this calendar. Continuing education courses are identified in your course enrolment package with a 'C' prefix. These identifiers are for internal use only and do not affect the equivalency.

Students with post-secondary studies beyond the basis of admission may be eligible for transfer credits, with no more than 50 percent of a program's requirements consisting of advanced standing/credits (transfer credits, challenge credits, credits granted on a Letter of Permission).

Students are required to complete the program in no more than eight years. Most students will complete the program in less time by planning their course selections carefully. The completion time will vary with the number of courses taken each year, with not all courses offered each year. 

Students must take one lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

If an upper level liberal studies course requires a prerequisite, students MUST apply for a transfer credit for that prerequisite. This will only serve as a proof of prerequisite and will not apply toward the degree.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

REQUIRED:

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Four courses. One from Table A and three from Table B.

PROFESSIONAL TABLE I: Two courses from the following:

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED TABLE II: Four courses from either the following or Open Elective Table. A maximum of one (1) DST prefix course may be selected.

* Students with two years relevant work experience may be exempt from this course.
** Only one of INT 905 or INP 914 can be taken. Only one of POG 315 or PPA 125 can be taken.
† DST 99A/B has a GPA Weight of 4.00 and a Course Count of 2.00.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

A grade of 'C-' or lower in any of these courses will result in a PROBATIONARY standing:

A second consecutive 'C-' in any of these courses will result in a REQUIRED TO WITHDRAW Standing.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Warner Clarke
Program Supervisor
Ministry of Health

John Demarco
Consultant
Summit Strategy Group 

Donald Easson
Professor
Development Services Worker Program
Centennial College

Amber Foulkes
President
Framel Consultants

Rabia Khedr
Board Member
ERDCO

Gary Malkowski
Vice President
Consumer, Government & Corporate Relations

Fran Odette
Researcher

Peter Park
Consultant

Jim Triantafilou
Executive Director
Brampton-Caledon Association for Community Living