Disability Studies & Community Inclusion Minor

This program is a multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate program that prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities in a variety of community settings. The minor/certificate enhances a student's career by preparing them to understand the nature of disabilities, meaning of disability in our society, social, political and health implications of disability, and methods of making our society more inclusive to those who live with disabilities.

Career Enhancement Options

This minor/certificate can be earned in conjunction with or post bachelor's/master's degree to enhance careers as inclusion specialists in:

• Recreation and Parks Industry
• Tourism and Hospitality Industry
• Sport Management and Administration Industry
• Fitness and Exercise Industry
• Health Promotion industry
• Student Accessibility Services-post secondary and collegiate level
• Inclusion/Accessibility/Disability specialization in careers in:
  • Political Science, Justice Studies, Sociology
  • Education, Public Health, Youth Development
  • Law, Family Services, Art Education, Dance Education
  • Performance, Communications, Health Education

Undergraduate MINOR

The minor is open to undergraduate students who are pursuing a bachelors degree. The minor may be earned in conjunction with other degrees at Kent State University or other institutions.

The Minor program is flexible, with minimal required courses beyond those needed to complete a bachelors degree. There are a total of 18 credit hours to be earned, with 9 credits in the core area of courses and 9 credits of electives. Electives are multidisciplinary in which students can choose courses from 15 different departments or majors. Students can tailor the courses taken toward completion of the certificate to meet their unique professional interests.

Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer

The Disability Studies and Community Inclusion minor can, in part, prepare students majoring in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology to be eligible to sit for the ACSM Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. This is a group of professionals who are uniquely qualified to promote fitness and health for people with disabilities. Specifically, this minor will prepare students in the areas of: The Americans with Disabilities Act; assessing, developing, and implementing physical activity programs for people who have physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities; clinical and medical consideration of disability groups; understanding adaptations and accommodations for people with disabilities; human behavior; disability awareness. To enroll in the minor simply go to Flashline and add it to your program of study or contact your advisor in the Vacca Office for Undergraduate Advising who can assist you as well.

To learn more about the ACSM Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer certification, review their website:

ACSM Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer Website

Graduate Certificate

The certificate may be received in conjunction with degrees from Kent State University or other institution at the Specialist's, Master's, or Doctoral levels. Students thus receive basic preparation in their selected discipline or major, while concurrently obtaining specialized training in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion through the certificate program.

The certificate program is flexible with minimal required courses beyond those needed to complete degree requirements. There are a total of 16 credit hours to be earned, with 6 credits in the core area of courses and 10 credits of electives. Electives are multidisciplinary in which students can choose courses from 10 different departments or majors. Students can tailor the courses taken toward completion of the certificate to meet their unique professional interests.

Contact for More Information

Dr. Mary Ann Devine, Professor
Phone: 330-672-0214
Email: mdevine@kent.edu