PhD Disability Studies at University of Illinois Chicago

Programme overview

The Department of Disability and Human Development offers work leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Disability Studies. The department also offers the Master of Science program in Disability and Human Development; see that section of the catalog for more information. Interdepartmental concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies, Museum and Exhibition Studies, and Black Studies are available to students in these degree programs.

Faculty: College of Applied Health Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Minimum 102 semester hours required. Required courses include Disability Studies Theory I; Disability Studies Theory II; Disability Inclusion, Policy, and Community Engagement; Disability and Inclusive Health; Disability Arts, Culture, and the Humanities; Current Issues in Disability Studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Prior degree: No restrictions. Prior degree: A master’s degree is required for admission to the program. Up to 28 semester hours from the master's degree may be applied to the PhD. GPA: At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and a minimum of 3.00/4.00 for all work beyond the baccalaureate level. Tests: None. Letters of recommendation: Three required using the DHD evaluation form. Personal statement: Required, using the DHD personal/research statement form.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate and professional programmes admit for Fall, Spring and Summer terms depending on the programme; applications for Fall 2027, Spring 2028 and Summer 2028 are expected to open on August 1, 2026.

Graduate and professional application deadlines are set per programme, with separate deadlines for domestic and international applicants for most non-online programmes; optional earlier priority, recommended or fellowship dates apply to both.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.uic.edu/admissions/

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