School of
Graduate Studies

Getting Started

The Interdisciplinary Leadership in Disability Studies Graduate Certificate may accompany a graduate or professional degree, or can be earned as a stand-alone certificate.

Whether you are a current, returning or prospective student to UMKC, individuals that have completed a four-year degree and are seeking to further their education, advance their career opportunities or become a better advocate for people with disabilities, are eligible to apply for the ILDS Graduate Certificate.

If you can answer yes to any of the questions below, you are encouraged to apply!

Are you...

Do you...

  • Graduating soon with a bachelor's degree?
  • A past or recent graduate from a bachelor degree program?
  • A newly accepted or current student in a Graduate Studies program?
  • Have a personal connection with disability?
  • Currently work in the disability field?
  • Work with people with disabilities in the community or your workplace?
  • Need to fulfill professional development requirements?

ILDS Program Structure

The Interdisciplinary Leadership in Disability Studies (ILDS) certificate program is offered through the School of Graduate Studies and the Institute for Human Development.

The ILDS Certificate is an online program requiring 12 credit hours - nine credit hours through three required courses in law, policy and leadership, and three credit hours from an elective course related to disability studies that aligns with the students' degree program and/or career interests.

Visit the Coursework and Program Requirements page for more details.

The estimated cost for the certificate is $6,830, based on standard tuition rates and fees.

 

Financial Assistance

Each academic year, in partnership with the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation, the Vivian Shepherd and Merrill Joslin Scholarship is offered to two ILDS students. More information about this scholarship is available on the About ILDS page.

Explore other Graduate Program Funding opportunities to help make your graduate program more affordable.

For information on financial aid or scholarships available through the university, visit Financial Aid Services.

Candidates must have:
  • Earned a bachelor's or first-level professional degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A satisfactory academic record.
  • TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or C1 Advanced score reports for applicants whose native language is not English.

Applying for the ILDS Program

The ILDS Certificate Program accepts rolling admissions, so you can apply anytime!

Graduate Students

If you are a currently enrolled in a Graduate Studies program, the ILDS Certificate can accompany your degree. 

You must declare the ILDS Certificate Program as a major before enrolling in courses. Speak to your advisor to add ILDS as a major.

 

Upcoming Graduates of a Bachelor Degree Program

If you are a current student in an undergraduate degree program at UMKC, but are not yet enrolled in and/or do not wish to enroll in a masters or doctoral degree program, you are still eligible to obtain the ILDS Certificate after you graduate.

You will need to apply to the School of Graduate Studies and declare ILDS as your major.

 

To submit your interest in the ILDS Program, please contact the Program Coordinator at ILDS@umkc.edu.

If you have earned a baccalaureate degree but are not yet enrolled and/or do not wish to enroll in a masters or doctoral degree program, you are still eligible to obtain the ILDS Certificate.

You will need to apply to the UMKC School of Graduate Studies and declare ILDS as your major at the time of your application.

 

Returning UMKC Students

If you have previously taken courses or graduated from UMKC, you must reapply to be accepted into the ILDS Program.

 

For more information about the ILDS Program or application process, please contact the Program Coordinator at ILDS@umkc.edu.

Whether you are ready to apply or seeking more information about the ILDS Program or application process, please contact the ILDS Program Coordinator at ILDS@umkc.edu.

Visit UMKC’s admission website for all admission requirements or to apply to UMKC.

Suggested deadlines by semester are as follows:

  • Fall Semester - Apply by Aug. 1
  • Spring Semester - Apply by Jan. 3
  • Summer Semester - Apply by May 30

In conjunction with the application, applicants to the ILDS Certificate will need to include:

  • Transcripts of all previous college or university education.
    • You can upload unofficial transcripts in your online application. However, if you are accepted you must provide official transcripts before you are able to enroll in your second semester.
  • An essay detailing how you plan to use the ILDS Certificate.