Disability Administration in Higher Education, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Saint Louis University's graduate certificate program in disability administration in higher education provides a 15-credit credential for student affairs professionals and community organization workers to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to administer programs required by law and serve the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Curriculum Overview

The 15-credit, five-course program is based on essential topics and includes an overview of (a) disability in higher education, (b) administrative strategies for this specific population, (c) social justice theory as related to disability, (d) media and disability, and (e) universal design in higher education and society. Two courses are developmental (EDSP 6060 and EDH 6080) and are the first courses students will complete for the certificate.  The other three courses can be completed in any order (EDH 6040, EDH 6050, and EDH 6060). The courses are delivered in two formats: (a) completely online course for the duration of the semester, or (b) mostly classroom (face-to-face with online not more than 25% of the allotted time during the semester).  Mostly classroom time slots are after 4 p.m. CDT, using Skype for Business or Zoom videoconferencing to allow distance students to participate in real time from anywhere in the world they have Internet access.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The certificate courses provide fieldwork and research opportunities in (a) existing institutional disability services and (b) practices which incorporate universal design.

Careers

The certificate program prepares students for two broad career areas:

1. Postsecondary education administrators, who plan, direct, or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges; and 
2. Community and social service specialists, who plan for and serve individuals with disabilities.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Interview
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Admission Deadlines 

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by Nov. 1 and for the summer semester by April 1.  International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, Oct. 1 for the spring semester and Feb. 1 for the summer semester.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for departmental graduate scholarships, students should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed.  

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to evaluate an institutional disability services program.
2. Graduates will be able to analyze institutional universal design practices.

Certificate completion requirements include successful completion of each of the five courses with a grade of B or higher.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.