Student Opportunities
Current Student Trainees at the CED
The Center for Excellence in Disabilities provides a variety of opportunities for students to gain disability education and experience. As a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), one of the CED's core functions is training. UCEDDs deliver high quality local, state, national, and international education and training in a collaborative, coordinated, and interdisciplinary fashion to address issues that affect people with disabilities across the lifespan and across the health, education, employment, and social service systems.
Each year, the CED provides education and training to University students in multiple disciplines at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels.
Traineeships/Graduate Assistantships
The CED provides a limited number of paid interdisciplinary traineeships for students at the graduate level. These traineeships are supported by a variety of grants and special projects that allow students from specific academic disciplines such as psychology, social work, speech pathology, audiology, nutrition, occupational therapy and physical therapy to observe or participate in clinical, non-clinical and research experiences related to persons with disabilities.
Interdisciplinary Certificate Programs in the Field of Disabilities Studies
This unique program, offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, prepares students as citizens to cope with the complex economic and social issues experienced by people with disabilities. An interdisciplinary approach allows students to apply coursework in their individual academic field toward completion of the Certificate. Earning a Certificate acknowledges the special skills and knowledge gained by students and distinguishes them from their peers.
Minor in Disability Studies
A minor in Disability Studies is available to students at West Virginia University. This minor can augment studies in a wide range of academic majors or serve as an area of emphasis in the Multidisciplinary Studies program (MDS). With a greater understanding of disability issues, the student can expand their professional and employment options in a variety of fields.
Internships/Practica
The CED is an approved site for internships or practica in programs such as, rehabilitation counseling, social work, occupational therapy, psychology and nutrition. These are generally unpaid placements.
Research Stipends
The CED offers a limited number of stipend awards to promote research and training in developmental and other disabilities across disciplines. Recipients must be West Virginia University students who are interested in applying the training of their discipline to support, assist, include or develop services for persons with disabilities.