DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR
The Disability Studies Minor provides students with the opportunity to explore the field through experiential learning and a required off-campus internship, blending academic study with real-world application. Given the internship and research components, students must proactively identify a research faculty mentor and secure a disability studies related internship site.
INTERESTED STUDENTS
In order to prepare for applying to this minor, interested students should speak with the Undergraduate Advisor Lonnell Edwards.In this appointment, they will discuss the following requirements: (a) upper division core course and electives, (b) community engaged internship, and (c) capstone project. Please email Lonnell Edwards to schedule an appointment.
To enter the minor, students must:
- have an overall grade-point average of 2.7 or better
- complete the application to the minor
- complete an application essay supporting their interest in pursuing the minor; and
- include an unofficial UCLA transcript with the application.
Learn more about the Disability Studies Minor by watching this closed captioned video.
Before submitting an application, students must consult with Lonnell Edwards, Academic Counselor for Disability Studies.
DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR APPLICATION TIMELINE
The application for the Disability Studies Minor will be open in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Applications will available during Weeks 1-3. Applications must be submitted by Friday of Week 3 by 11:59PM PT.
Before submitting an application, students must consult with Lonnell Edwards, Academic Advisor for Disability Studies.
All applications will be reviewed during Weeks 4 and 5. Each applicant will be notified of their application results no later than Friday of Week 5.
Due to course sequencing for core requirements (DIS STD 101W, DIS STD 195CE, and DIS STD 199A/B Capstone requirements)Â and limited enrollment capacity in core classes, the deadline to declare the Disability Studies Minor for any UCLA undergraduate student is Spring quarter of their junior year.Â
Note: For students graduating Spring 2026 or Summer 2026, the deadline to declare the Disability Studies Minor is Fall 2025.Â
DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Each course must be taken for a letter grade. Students must earn a grade of C or better in Disability Studies 101 or 101W. Disability Studies 101 or 101WÂ and one quarter of Disability Studies 195CE or 196 must be taken prior to the capstone (Disability Studies 199A or 198A or 191). The following requirements constitute the upper division requirements for the Disability Studies minor.
The chart below summarizes the curricular requirements for satisfaction of the minor.
| Course | Title/Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| DS 101 OR DS 101W* | Core:Â Perspectives on Disability Studies |
5
|
| 3 Upper Division electives** | Select from our approved list of quarterly course offerings |
12-15
|
| DS 195CE^ or DS 196 | 2 quarters of internship or 2 quarters of research apprenticeship |
8
|
| DS 191 or DS 199A/B or DS 198A/B |
Senior Capstone class or independent project or Honors thesis on DS topic |
5-6
|
| 7-8 Courses | 30-34 Units |
*Please check the 101W Enrollment Policy for specifics regarding enrollment.
**Â Only one course for the minor may overlap with the major or second minor. Three Upper Division (UD) electives can be completed with two UD electives and a 3rd quarter of DS 195CE or DS 196 (except for students interning at ECPHP).
^Note: Priority enrollment for DIS STD 195CE will be given to graduating seniors.
A minimum of 20 units applied toward the minor requirements must be in addition to units applied toward major requirements or another minor. Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or better in the minor. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the transcript and diploma.
SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS
UCLA Library Disability Studies Research Guide
Update to the Disability Studies Minor Requirements for Spring 2020 to Summer 2022
DS 195CE – INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES
All minors in Disability Studies must complete two consecutive quarters of an internship experience. Over a span of 20 weeks at one community-based agency, students obtain both breadth and depth in their understanding of the conceptual and practical implications of disability. Throughout the internship, students apply ideas learned in DS courses, in particular ableism/paternalism and the social model vs. medical models of disability, and directly witness how disability is constructed and framed by different agencies.
Internship Requirements
- At one community-based agency that provides direct services for persons with disabilities or a government agency responsible for policies on disability issues
- Priority enrollment for DIS STD 195CE will be given to graduating seniors
- The Disability Studies 195CE internship course is 4 units/quarter and letter-grade only
- The Internship must involve 160 hours spread throughout two consecutive quarters (8-10 hrs/wk; Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring quarters)
- Professional work environment
- Supervised off-campus location (UCLA-affiliated centers are RARELY approved, and internship work must involve interaction with community stakeholders, not peers)
- Connection to the minor and your major/interests
- Attend bi-weekly meetings with the internship coordinator at the Center for Community Learning. Writing assignments and a final research paper will be required
Information about 195CE Course Requirements: Visit the UCLA Center for Community Learning.
Types of internships
- Direct service internships offer a hands-on opportunity to work with disabled adults or children. Examples include a teaching assistant position in a special education classroom or work with adults at a local regional center.
- Policy internships are generally affiliated with government agencies. The Los Angeles Mayor’s office has responsibility for ADA compliance and places students in internships that support those efforts.
- UC Center Sacramento  or UCLA Quarter in Washington  are alternative options for completing the DS 195CE internship requirement. The affiliated internship must work directly with the disability community or be responsible for policies on disability issues. UC Center Sacramento is the only internship option available in the summer.
Internship Preparation and Planning
Fit/Match
- Job Duties
- Scope/Field of site (e.g., legal, physical therapy, education, etc.)
- Alignment with personal goals
- Opportunity to explore new/different areas
Getting to Know the Site
- Clear understanding of expectations of interns
- Clear timeline/deadline to complete work
- Opportunities to receive feedback for growth
- Work environment/culture
- Explore and seek potential internships at least one or two quarters before the term you intend to officially enroll in DS 195CE.
- Use the DS 195CE Internship Information Guide as a reference.
- Be prepared to share a resume with possible sites. (For help with resumes, cover letters, or interview preparation, please consult the UCLA Career Center.)
- You can always consult with the DS academic counselor or CCL DS internship coordinator if you have questions or need help in your search for an internship.
- Contact potential internship sites and apply, interview, etc.
- Research internship site (Have an idea of the work that you may be doing)
- Start with an email to the site recruiter/supervisor of the internship
- In your introduction email be sure to address the following:
- Introduction (brief and related to your current standing and goals).
- Interest Message (tie it back to what you know of the organization or position).
- Closing statement (a closing sentence or two to welcome further discussion or lead to your contact information).
- Sample email template.
- Wait a reasonable amount of time to send a follow-up. Be sure to not put all your eggs in one basket and apply to other internship opportunities that you see as being good fits.
- Contact another internship site and repeat this process until you hear back from an internship site of your interest for an opportunity to interview.
- Secure an internship by being offered a two-quarter position that will allow you to work 8-10 hours per week for a minimum total of 80 hours during an academic quarter (160 total hours over two quarters). Lastly, be sure that the internship site is a good fit for you before starting the Disability Studies 195CE enrollment process.
HOW TO ENROLL IN A DS 195CE INTERNSHIP COURSE
Enrollment Steps
Learn how to enroll in a DIS STD 195CE Internship Course.
F-1 International students must also receive CPT authorization for any internship courses from the Dashew Center. The internship must align with the learning outcomes of both your major and minor. CPT authorization requires a minimum of five weeks for approval prior to the start of the internship. Once CPT authorization is approved, students can schedule the 195CE intake appointment during Week 8-10 of the quarter preceding their internship course.
Disability Studies 196: Research Apprenticeship
In lieu of DS 195CE, minors can complete two terms of Disability Studies 196. Research apprenticeships offer the opportunity to work under the guidance of faculty affiliated with the Disability Studies minor. Minors will collaborate with DS faculty on their research in an area related to disability studies. Individual contract required and Letter grading only. Examples include assisting a faculty member on researching and assessing a local non-profit. DS 196 research apprenticeship opportunities are rare. If available, they will be announced by the DS academic counselor.
SENIOR CAPSTONE (DS 191, DS 199A/B OR DS 198A/B)
The senior capstone is designed to integrate and synthesize learning from earlier coursework and previous research as well as the internship experience. Disability 101 or 101W and one quarter of Disability Studies 195CE or 196 must be taken prior to the capstone (Disability Studies 199A or 198A or 191). See more information on Capstone Expectations. The requirement can be fulfilled with one of the following:
- Disability Studies 191 – Senior Research Seminar
In-depth study of major themes in disability studies research. Themes vary by instructor and term. Students pursue independent research related to course theme, with guidance from instructor, then share and critique other student works in progress. This course is only offered in Spring quarters.Minors are manually enrolled into this course.
- Disability Studies 199A/B – Directed Research in Disability Studies
Disability Studies 199A (2 units) and 199B (4 units) is two terms of supervised independent research or investigation designed by the student and under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The two-term course culminates in a paper or project.Individual contract required and created through MyUCLA.
- Disability Studies 198A/B – Honors Research in Disability Studies
Disability Studies 198A (2 units) and 198B (4 units) is two terms of supervised individual research or investigation designed by the student and under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The two-term course culminates in an honors thesis or comprehensive research project.Individual contract required and created through MyUCLA.
Note:Â Disability Studies 101 or 101W and one quarter of Disability Studies 195CE or 196 must be taken prior to the capstone.
Faculty Mentor
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, this independent research course gives students the opportunity to conduct independent research or create a special project related to disability studies. Identifying an eligible faculty mentor is an essential step in the process. Please see below for more information.
-
- All Senate Faculty are eligible to sponsor an independent research contract.
- Non-Senate Faculty (NSF) may sponsor an independent research contract only with departmental approval. Approval process is facilitated between faculty member and Disability Studies Academic Advisor.
- Unit-18 Lecturers are not eligible to sponsor independent research contracts.
- Faculty mentors do not need to be directly affiliated with the academic program, as their role is to guide the student through the research process.
- For more information on Senate and Non-Senate academic titles, review the Academic Senate Membership list.
HOW TO ENROLL IN DS 199A/B OR DS 198A/B
Enrollment Steps
- Before starting the 198/199 process, please schedule a meeting with Lonnell Edwards to discuss your research.
- Secure a faculty mentor before the quarter you want to start your independent research
- For the 1st quarter of your project, create a contract for DIS STD 199A or 198A on MyUCLA
- Meet with your faculty mentor to review the contract and have them sign it
- Submit the signed contract to Lonnell Edwards by Friday, Week 2
- For the 2nd quarter of your project, create a contract for DIS STD 199B or 198B on MyUCLA and repeat the process.
Supplemental Documents
DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2026-27 GRADUATING CLASS
The two-quarter internship requirement – Disability Studies 195CE – will be temporarily modified for the 2026-27 Academic Year. During this time, students will be held to completing one quarter of the Disability Studies 195CE internship and four disability studies electives.
This modified requirement only applies to students who are (1) declared in the Disability Studies Minor and (2) graduating in Winter 2027, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027.Â
The chart below summarizes the modified curricular requirements of the minor the 2026-27AY. Each course applied to the minor must be taken for a letter grade. Students must earn a grade of C or better in Disability Studies 101 or 101W. Disability Studies 101 or 101W must be taken prior to the capstone (Disability Studies 199A or 198A or 191).
The chart below summarizes the modified curricular requirements for satisfaction of the minor the 2026-27AY only.
| Course | Title/Description | Units |
| DS 101 ORÂ DS 101W* | Core:Â Perspectives on Disability Studies | 5 |
| 4 Upper Division electives° | Select from our approved list of quarterly course offerings | 16-19 |
| DS 195CE^ | 1 quarter of internship | 4 |
| DS 191 or DS 199A/B or DS 198A/B |
Senior Capstone class or independent project or Honors thesis on DS topic | 5-6 |
| 7-8 Courses | 30-34 Units |
*Please check the 101W Enrollment Policy for specifics regarding enrollment.
°Only one course for the minor may overlap with the major or second minor.
^Note: Priority enrollment for DIS STD 195CE will be given to graduating seniors.
A minimum of 20 units applied toward the minor requirements must be in addition to units applied toward major requirements or another minor. Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or better in the minor. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the transcript and diploma.
Important Notes:
- No requirement modifications to the Disability Studies Major.
- Only if space allows, Disability Studies minors held to the modified internship requirement for 2026-27AY, may enroll in a second quarter of DIS STD 195CE.
- Priority enrollment for DIS STD 195CE is restricted to students graduating in 2026-27AY.
- Students who opt to complete the research apprenticeship (DIS STD 196) will be held to the two-quarter requirement and three disability studies electives.
- Students declared in the major or minor and graduating in 2027-28 and thereafter, are held to two-quarter internship requirement (DIS STD 195CE).