BS: Disability and Rehabilitation Services

Skip Sub Menu

Disability and Rehabilitation Services Curriculum

The Disability and Rehabilitation Services curriculum blends theory with practice, preparing students to support individuals with disabilities while understanding the broader systems that shape access and well-being.

Students explore disability through medical, psychological, cultural, and policy frameworks, while also developing strong interpersonal and professional competencies.

This 49-credit major is intentionally flexible, allowing students to tailor coursework toward their individual career goals.

Five Core Areas of Study

Students complete coursework in five foundational domains that define the field of disability and rehabilitation.

Advocacy & Policy

Students disability policy, ADA regulations, righs-based approaches to support. Courses in this area include Disability Policy & ADA, Rhetoric & Politics, and Restorative Justice.

Employment & Career Support

Students develop skills in career counseling and job placement strategies. Courses in this area include HR Fieldwork, Organizational Psychology, and Professional Communications.

Understanding Disability

Students gain medical, psychological, and social perspectives on disability. Courses in this area include Medical Aspects, Abnormal Psychology, and Medical Terminology.

Business & Organizational Learning

Students master HR practices and organizational approaches to disability inclusion. Courses in this area include HR Fieldwork, Organizational Psychology, and Professional Communications.

Working With People

Students build interpersonal skills and counseling techniques for direct service. Courses in this area include Intro to Psychology, Child & Adolescent Psychology, and a Rehabilitation Internship.

Customize Your Degree

Students may select an area of emphasis aligned with their career goals. Options include:

  • Advocacy: Focuses on disability rights, social justice, and policy change.
  • Counseling: Prepares students for direct service or graduate counseling programs.
  • Deaf Culture: Builds American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency and understanding of deaf culture.
  • Human Resources: Prepares students to lead organizational approaches to disability inclusion.
  • Working with Youth: Emphasizes disability support in school and community settings.
  • Leadership Minor: Strengthens organizational, supervisory, and administrative skills.

Students interested in substance abuse counseling may take additional courses aligned with Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) preparation.

Explore Careers

Ready to turn your passion into a profession?

Sign up to receive updates about the Disability and Rehabilitation Services program and Drake University.

Request Info

Ready to Apply?

Start your application to the Disability and Rehabilitation Services program today.

Apply Now

SOE News