Disability Studies
Disability Studies (part-time only)
Degree Awarded: | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Program Website: | ryerson.ca/ds (opens in new window) |
Administered by: | School of Disability Studies |
Program Format: | Part-time degree completion program. |
The Disability Studies program prepares students for leadership roles in a variety of areas including direct care, management, community development, policy, planning, and advocacy.
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:
- Applicants are required to present a cumulative grade point average of 70%/B/3.0 or higher for admission consideration.
- 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:
- Academic transcripts of all post-secondary studies, including promotion/graduation status. High School transcripts are not required. Mature Student guidelines do not apply.
- 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.
Curriculum Information
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.
Challenge Credits
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.
Course Sequencing
Course Identification
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.
Transfer Credits
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).
Years to Complete - Time-Span
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.
Liberal Studies
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
Students admitted before Fall 2017: Students may take only three Philosophy courses for credit between table A and B.
Table B - Upper Level Restrictions
DST courses are not available for credit.
Minors
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.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
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:
DST 501 | Rethinking Disability |
DST 502 | Disability and the State |
DST 504 | Mad People's History |
DST 506 | Principles and Practices of Accessibility |
DST 507 | Disability, Justice and Good Human Life |
DST 525 | Disability, Representation/s and Culture |
DST 613 | Strategies for Community Building |
DST 725 | The Politics and Practice of Interventions |
DST 727 | Leadership Practices for Changing Times |
DST 80A/B* | Practicum - Disability Studies |
DST 88A/B | Research Methods |
DST 99A/B† | Applied Community Project/Thesis |
CLD 435 | Theory and Practice of Family Support |
CLD 445 | Inclusion and Consultation |
DST 503 | Current Topics in Disability I |
DST 509 | Crip Culture in Canada |
DST 603 | Disability and The Law |
DST 604 | Current Topics in Disability II |
DST 614 | Community, Access and Technology |
FNF 100 | Families and Health |
FNF 400 | The Social Context of Human Sexuality |
INT 900 | Program Planning and Evaluation Strategies |
INT 901 | Gerontology: Critical Issues and Future Trends |
INT 905** | Conflict Resolution in Community Services |
INT 906 | Sexuality: Power and Pleasure |
INT 907 | Team Work for Community Services |
INT 908 | Homelessness in Canadian Society |
INT 910 | First Nations Issues |
INT 911 | International Community Development |
INT 912 | Community Development: International Field Experience |
INT 913 | Issues of Migration |
INT 914 | Settlement Experiences |
INT 915 | Responses to Migration |
INT 916 | Introduction to Fundraising |
INT 920 | Community Collaborations |
INT 921 | Writing for Disability Activism |
INT 922 | Intro to Aboriginal Worldviews |
INT 923 | Canada's Story: An Aboriginal Perspective |
SWP 903 | Crisis Intervention |
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.
CLD 241 | Children with Disabilities |
CLD 332 | Families in Canadian Context II |
CLD 342 | Assessment for Programming |
CRM 202 | Victims and the Criminal Process |
CYC 550 | Foundations of Social Innovation |
CYC 560 | Social Innovation in Practice |
CYC 570 | Social Innovation in Action |
CYC 602 | Children's Rights |
CYC 900 | Diversity Issues for Children and Youth |
ENT 500 | New Venture Startup |
FIN 300 | Managerial Finance I |
INP 900 | Understanding the Nonprofit Sector |
INP 901 | Developing Effective Organizations |
INP 910 | Strategic Planning |
INP 911 | Advocacy and Governmental Relations |
INP 912 | Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations |
INP 913 | Leading Through Change |
INP 914** | Issues of Diversity |
INP 915 | Financial Management |
INP 916 | NGOs in Global Context |
MHR 405 | Organizational Behaviour |
MHR 505 | Organizational Behaviour II |
MHR 523 | Human Resources Management |
POG 100 | People, Power and Politics |
POG 225 | Global Governance |
POG 310 | Provincial Politics |
POG 315** | Equity and Human Rights in Canada |
POG 316 | Social Policy |
POG 317 | Education Politics and Policy |
POG 443 | Global Cities |
PPA 120 | Canadian Politics and Government |
PPA 122 | Local Politics and Government |
PPA 125** | Rights, Equity and the State |
PPA 211 | Public Policy |
PPA 335 | Theories of Bureaucracy |
PSY 302 | Child Development |
PSY 402 | Adult Development |
SWP 900 | Race and Ethnicity |
SWP 910 | Queer Theory and Identities |
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