The Disability Studies Certificate is an 18-credit, interdisciplinary undergraduate credential developed and administered by the Writing Institute, housed in the College of General Studies, and open to all Pitt students. Launched in 2022 and directed by Sam Pittman, the certificate has grown rapidly: more than 130 students are currently enrolled, and 37 students will graduate with the certificate this academic year alone.
The certificate draws on courses from across the university — from English Composition and Film Studies to Rehabilitation Sciences and Sociology — giving students a flexible framework to bring a disability studies lens to their own fields while engaging with disability as a rich area of study in its own right.
The certificate is a good fit for students who identify as disabled and want to engage with the idea of disability; those who interact with individuals with disabilities in the course of their daily work (therapists, teachers, health providers, caregivers, technologists, legal counselors); those who wish to more accurately and fully represent the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities; and those who work in any setting and recognize that disability is a form of diversity and want to be better, more informed allies.
Students consistently describe the certificate as among the most transformative experiences of their time at Pitt, shaping not only their academic work but their sense of themselves as engaged citizens. You can read a 2024 Pittwire article about the certificate to learn more, or visit the CGS certificate description page to explore requirements and enrollment.