Disability Studies

Disability studies is a dynamic, interdisciplinary minor that explores disability as a human experience. Students study the history, culture, and human rights movements of disabled people, analyzing disability's intersections with race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality. We assume there is no need to fix disabilities. Instead, we build a better world that accommodates and respects people with disabilities.

20+
internship opportunities
90+
students in the minor
10+
interdisciplinary departments

What You Can Do with a Disability Studies Minor

The disability studies minor prepares students for careers in psychology and counseling, health and medicine, government, nonprofit agencies, advocacy, public policy and administration, education, and social work. Graduates can pursue careers in:

  • Human and family services
  • Physical, occupational and speech therapy
  • K-12 education
  • Pre-med and pre-law
  • Arts and museum education
  • Adaptive recreation
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Public interest groups
  • Advocacy
Colin Wilfrid, Disability minor student, playing horn

How Disability Studies Enriches Your Career

"As someone with an intellectual disability, I got to learn a lot about people with physical disabilities. It gave me a lot of broad advocacy skills to advocate on behalf of both physical and intellectual disabilities."

—Colin Wilfrid, Disability Studies Minor

Our Degree Program

Undergraduate students can earn a minor in disability studies with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and fieldwork that provides real-world experience. 

Teacher and kid in class

Learn from Experts in the Field

Students minoring in disability studies will learn from faculty who are known experts in their respective fields. Because each student is given the flexibility to build their own course of study built on their specific interests, there are opportunities to work with faculty representing a broad range of departments.

Children and student at daycare

Get Real-world Experience

Earn credit toward your minor while gaining hands-on experience in the field. You’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from people with disabilities through a wide variety of community partnerships in sports, schools, healthcare, direct support provision, the arts, and many other spheres of life.

Scholarships and Funding

Students in the Disability Studies Program can seek funding through the College of Arts and Sciences, which awards various scholarships both to incoming students and to those already attending the UO.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Academic Support

Students minoring in disability studies can consult our program director or seek support from the advising team at Tykeson College and Career Advising.

Tykeson Advising

Humanities News and CAS Events

Experiential learning prepares many people for career and advancing education—even Dean Chris Poulsen. Hear from Poulsen about how a memorable Earth sciences undergraduate field trip set him on the path to graduate school, and read about how the CAS Experiential Learning Fund helps undergrads access life-changing hands-on learning opportunities.
COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES - The Science and Comics Initiative recently teamed up with the International NeuroAI Conference and hosted a satellite workshop for scholars who were attending the conference at the University of Washington. The Science and Comics Initiative works to make science more accessible to a general audience through the comics format.
THEATRE ARTS – Ever since she stepped on the stage in middle school, University of Oregon alum Jerilyn Armstrong '17 knew she wanted to be an actor. Her curiosity and eagerness led her to build valuable connections with instructors and explore every opportunity the Department of Theatre Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences, setting her up to pursue her passion after college.

All News »


Graduate Writing Webinar: Every Semester Needs a Plan
Jan9
Graduate Writing Webinar: Every Semester Needs a Plan Jan 9
Exploring the Dolomites Information Session
Jan9
Exploring the Dolomites Information Session Jan 9
Wrestling Jerusalem: A Film Screening and Conversation with the Artist
Jan9
Wrestling Jerusalem: A Film Screening and Conversation with the Artist Jan 9 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Women in Economics Club
Jan9
Women in Economics Club Jan 9 Allen Hall
Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair
Jan15
Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair Jan 15 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
gradCONNECT: Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Jan21
gradCONNECT: Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Jan 21 Susan Campbell Hall
How to: Interview (Workshop)
Jan21
How to: Interview (Workshop) Jan 21 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Wine Chat: “Accompaniment with Im/migrant Communities”
Jan21
Wine Chat: “Accompaniment with Im/migrant Communities” Jan 21 Capitello Wines
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)
Jan22
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches) Jan 22 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Catalysts for Impact Information Session
Jan23
Catalysts for Impact Information Session Jan 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)

All CAS events »