Printer FriendlyWhat are Developmental Disabilities?
Developmental disabilities involve significant limitations in two or more areas of life functioning occurring before the age of 19. Mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, and cerebral palsy are just some of the many conditions that make life so challenging for affected individuals and their families.
How was this Program Created?
Faculty in the Department of Psychology have been working with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), several of the state's community colleges, sister UMass campuses, other schools and agencies that provide direct service. Our goal has been to develop a curriculum designed to meet the challenge of providing quality services to people with developmental disabilities. With financial support from the DMR, a two-year period of planning culminated in the introduction of this bachelor's level specialization in developmental disabilities.
What are the Program Requirements?
Students can complete 18 credits of course work including two semesters of supervised field placement where they can apply their classroom studies. See the undergraduate catalog for more information.
What Can Students Expect After Graduation?
With human services among the fastest growing areas of employment in the next decade, there are exciting opportunities for our graduates. The program is allied with provider agencies throughout Massachusetts who have expressed keen interest in recruiting our graduates to meet their needs for skilled professionals.
Who is Eligible?
The specialization in developmental disabilities is open to all undergraduate students at UMass Lowell and all incoming students. Students who have completed two-year programs in developmental disabilities, mental retardation, human services and/or mental health are welcome and can expect to transfer most of these credits.
The program is also designed to accommodate those already employed in the field. The core courses in the curriculum are typically offered late afternoons and evenings, and people working in appropriate settings may be able to use their work site for some of the required field placements.
Disability Studies Minor
For information on this program, check out Disability Studies Minor.
For more information about either the Disability Studies Minor or the Specialization in Developmental Disabilities contact:
Charlotte Mandell, Ph.D., Program Coordinator
Tel: (978) 934-3954