You’ll Learn Techniques to Help Others Reach Goals
Creativity and compassion are essential traits for professionals who provide assistance and services to individuals with disabilities. As a disability services major at IUP, you’ll learn about the challenges faced by people who live with disabilities.
You’ll also learn ways you can help people with disabilities rise to their challenges and reach their goals.
Among the classes you will take are Methods of Teaching Reading to Persons with Disabilities, Introduction to American Sign Language, Transition for Youth with Disabilities, Educational Psychology, and Education of Persons with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders,
Learning Disabilities, or Brain Injury.
A required internship will give you hands-on experience. This major also has 23 credits of free electives that make it possible to add a minor. Recommended minors include child and family studies, educational psychology, sociology, or psychology. Through
their choice of minor, students can become involved in a variety of organizations focused on child and family studies, educational psychology, sociology, or psychology, or prepare for advanced study leading to a master’s degree.
What You’ll Become
The Bachelor of Science degree in Disability Services prepares you to work as a professional who serves individuals with disabilities in a variety of public and private agencies, including adult mental health programs and programs for individuals with
intellectual disability.
Some jobs that may interest you in this rewarding field include instructional assistants in school settings and therapeutic staff support personnel. You might also work in mental health programs, programs for individuals
with intellectual disability, community-based employment/living programs, early intervention programs, residential treatment programs, preschool/daycare programs, and other service provider settings.