Nov 26, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Disability and Advocacy Minor


Department of Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching, Woodring College of Education

24-26 Credits

Introduction

Students who complete this minor typically seek employment in non-teaching settings, such as health and human services, behavioral clinics, government agencies, speech and language pathology, school support staff, and non-profit organizations; they do not qualify for a teaching certificate. Courses in this minor prepare students to support individuals with disabilities and other exceptionalities across a variety of settings.

Why Consider a Disability and Advocacy Minor?

Many professionals work with persons with exceptionalities and/or disabilities in a variety of venues and do not require the same pedagogical knowledge base that is expected of special education teachers. However, to effectively advocate for and work with individuals with disabilities, it is imperative that professionals have a solid background in a variety of topics central to the provision of supporting individuals with disabilities.

We, in the Department of Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching, believe that professionals should support individuals with disabilities in accessing inclusive community opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities. A minor in Disability and Advocacy provides foundational knowledge to professionals who interface across a variety of settings, including school, home, agencies, and community. Students in this minor receive instruction in behavior management, social justice in disability, supporting individuals with complex needs, and gain real world experience through service learning in the community.

 Contact Information

Department Chair
Aaron Perzigian
Miller Hall 201E
360-650-4349
Aaron.Perzigian@wwu.edu

Program Director
Jeffery Hart
Miller Hall 202D
360-650-3724
Jeffery.Hart@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Supported employment provider | supported living supervisor | advocacy | community recreation specialist | positions with nonprofit agencies | Applied Behavior Analysis therapist | school support personnel | animals as therapy | and many other careers.

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

A minor declaration card, advising, and plan of study are obtained from the Program Director, Dr. Jeffery Hart.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Students must complete the minor with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in minor course work.