The Graduate Interdisciplinary Concentration in Disability Studies provides the opportunity for advanced study of theory, research, policy, and practice relevant to the lives of individuals and groups with disabilities. Located within the larger discourse of human diversity, disability is analyzed as an economic, social, cultural, political, and individual phenomenon.

Disability Studies curricula are offered at the University of Maine through the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (See Research Resources page). Graduate students may obtain a concentration in Disability Studies in conjunction with several master’s degree programs across campus, or in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. or the individually designed Ed.D. Through coursework, independent studies, research, or independently pursued projects at the Center and in collaboration with the students’ disciplinary departments, students examine a range of issues confronting local, state, national and global communities in which people with disabilities live. The faculty involved in curriculum development and teaching courses in Disability Studies represent diverse departments and academic disciplines at the University of Maine.

Financial Aid: A limited number of graduate assistantships are available through the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies for students pursuing a graduate concentration in Disability Studies.

Master’s Concentration in Disability Studies

Master’s level students would enroll and successfully complete the following courses:

• DIS 600 Contemporary Disability Theory
• DIS 620 Disability as Diversity
• Either DIS 630 Disability Policy or DIS 650 Research Seminar in Disability Studies. Each could be cross-listed with disciplinary policy and research courses respectively so that this requirement could be met within the student’s department.
• DIS 670 Interdisciplinary Project in Disability Studies, which could also be cross-listed with field or project courses in the students discipline could also be considered under the collaborative guidance of IDS and disciplinary faculty.

Doctoral Concentration in Disability Studies

Doctoral level students would enroll in all concentration courses, which may also be taken in their departments if cross-listed.

Graduate Faculty

Elizabeth DePoy, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania, 1988), Co-Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; and Professor, School of Social Work.

Stephen Gilson, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1991), Co-Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; and Professor, School of Social Work.

Lucille Zeph, Ed.D. (Vanderbilt University, 1983), Director, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; and Associate Professor of Education, College of Education and Human Development.