Study content and requirements
for the Disability & Diversity Studies Program
What should you bring with you for your studies?
The Bachelor’s Program in Disability & Diversity Studies is designed for people who want to help shape diversity and engage academically with current social developments. It is important to be open to different perspectives and needs, as well as to have the courage to explore new career fields and help shape them.
The following qualities are particularly helpful:
- An open-minded attitude toward diversity
- An appreciation for scholarly inquiry
- Openness to the perspectives and needs of others
- The courage to explore and define new career fields
- An interest in contributing to a positive shift in attitudes toward people from diverse backgrounds
What you will learn during your studies
In the Bachelor’s Program in Disability & Diversity Studies, you will gain comprehensive knowledge of social diversity, inclusion, and participation. You will learn to critically examine existing structures and develop professional solutions for various areas of social action.
Collaboratively Developing Support Services
You will learn to further develop and modernize support services for and with those affected. Self-determination and participation are at the heart of this process.
Implementing Inclusion and Diversity Concepts
You will professionally implement concepts for inclusion and diversity in practice and learn to effectively counteract obstacles on the path toward an inclusion- and diversity-friendly society.
Collaborating in Multiprofessional Teams
You will work in multiprofessional teams, contributing visions and concepts that promote inclusion and diversity.
Helping to Shape Society
You will learn to further develop various industries and fields of activity based on Disability & Diversity Studies.
Working on Solutions from an Academic Perspective
You will engage with topics and issues from Disability & Diversity Studies – such as disability and ableism, discrimination and intersectionality, or accessibility and ethics – and participate in the academic discussion of possible solutions.
What opportunities will you have after you graduate?
With your Bachelor’s Degree, you can enter a variety of professional fields right away. At the same time, the program lays the foundation for further academic study – for example, in the Master’s Program in Disability, Diversity & Digitalization at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.
How the Program is structured
The part-time Program takes place on two weekends per month. Classes are always held online on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Fridays from 12:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., classes are held once a month online and once a month in person.
In addition, there is one in-person intensive week per semester at the Klagenfurt campus on Primoschgasse. The winter semester begins in October.
More Information about your DDS Program
Language of Instruction: German
With an SOB diploma, you can enroll in the Program without a high school diploma. Additionally, up to 30 ECTS credits are recognized toward the SOB diploma or training at the BAfEP. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have: dds(at)cuas.at
We promote open access to higher education, especially for prospective students with vocational qualifications. Feel free to contact us for a personal consultation!
General Information about the Program
For more information on admission requirements, the training contract, nostrification and recognition, the admissions process, examination regulations and grading, ECTS credits, and the academic calendar, please refer to the General Study Information.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the “Disability & Diversity Studies” Bachelor’s Degree
Can I go on to pursue a Master's Degree?
Yes, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Disability & Diversity Studies, you can apply for related Master’s Programs. At CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, for example, there is a Master’s Program in Disability, Diversity & Digitalization. Admission is subject to the specific requirements of the chosen Master’s Program.
Is the Disability & Diversity Studies Program practical?
Yes, practical projects, professional and research internships, and application-oriented courses are firmly integrated into the curriculum. You’ll learn to apply scientific findings to specific social and organizational issues. Among other things, you’ll explore accessibility, inclusion, organizational development, self-advocacy, and the design of inclusive living environments.
What does "Design for All" mean in the DDS Program?
“Design for All” in the DDS Bachelor’s Program at CU refers to the development of services, products, and solutions that are accessible to as many people as possible. As part of the Program, you’ll also collaborate across disciplines with students in technical Degree Programs. In doing so, you’ll explore accessible digital offerings, augmentative and alternative communication, and the integration of diverse user perspectives.
Current Courses
Current course - Disability & Diversity Studies · Organisation form: berufsbegleitend
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More DDS
Projects, Media and Events
The Disability & Diversity Studies (DDS) Program at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is committed to an inclusive society and the equal participation of people with disabilities in higher education. Our goal is to highlight barriers in higher education, promote participation, and further develop CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences as a pioneer in inclusive higher education in Austria.
The digitization of higher education can create new barriers for students and staff with disabilities. At the initiative of the Disability & Diversity Studies Program, the “Inclusive Higher Education” working group was therefore established.
The working group’s goal is to develop a handbook for accessible teaching in the digital space. In doing so, it takes into account both digital access barriers and existing barriers in in-person teaching. Participants include representatives from the Equal Treatment Committee, the Disability & Diversity Studies (DDS) Program, the Teaching and Learning Center, the Chief Digital Office, and the Equal Treatment Officer, Ms. Leitner-Intering.
“Disability & Diversity Studies News” (DDS News) and the “Disability & Diversity” podcast series address socially relevant topics such as equality, education, inclusion, equal opportunity, gender/queer issues, intercultural communication, and various forms of diversity.
Through interviews, scholarly articles, theoretical discussions, and other formats, these topics are examined critically and from a multidisciplinary perspective. Students, faculty, external experts, and people with lived experience contribute diverse professional and personal perspectives. In this way, the formats combine academic insights with concrete life and practical experiences – in keeping with the slogan: “Change your perspective!”
All episodes available for listening
Practical partnerships link the Disability & Diversity Studies Program at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences with current demands from various professional fields. Regular interaction between the university, students, companies, and institutions supports a practical and needs-based education.
Long-term collaborations provide students with insights into professional practice and help them build valuable contacts with potential employers.
Learn more about the Career Services Office and the industry partnerships
We are pleased to invite you to the lecture series offered as part of the Independent Studies Program on Disability & Diversity Studies during the summer semester of 2026. All sessions will take place on the Klagenfurt – Primoschgasse campus or online. To register or ask questions, please contact p.regenfelder-davis(at)cuas.at
You are cordially invited to participate in these events and engage in a rewarding exchange.
Jobs & Careers
The Bachelor’s Degree Program in Disability & Diversity Studies opens the door to challenging and diverse career paths. You’ll gain the skills needed to professionalize existing career fields and develop new ones in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
Your Career Prospects after graduation
After you graduate, you can initiate professional processes to reduce social exclusion and social inequality. In doing so, you will promote equal opportunity, self-determined living, and equal participation.
Fields of employment
With a Bachelor's Degree in Disability & Diversity Studies, you will play an active role in shaping an inclusive, discrimination-sensitive, and just society. Depending on your interests and career focus, a wide range of career opportunities will open up – in business, public administration, education, healthcare, research, or civil society.
Possible career paths include:
- Disability & Diversity Management in Businesses
Development and implementation of strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); accessible workplace design; support for inclusive human resources development; and consulting for executives – for example, in transportation companies, industrial and service companies, banks, or public enterprises. - Inclusion and Diversity Consulting
Consulting for companies, organizations, public institutions, municipalities, and NGOs on developing inclusive structures, implementing accessibility, and promoting equal opportunity. - Project Management and Organizational Development
Design, implementation, and evaluation of projects related to inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and social participation, as well as support for change processes within organizations. - Social Services, Health Care, and Education
Work in social services and health care institutions, educational institutions for children and adolescents, schools, colleges, or adult education programs, with a focus on inclusion, participation, diversity, and empowerment. - Public Administration and Politics
Development, implementation, and evaluation of measures promoting equality, inclusion, and accessibility in ministries, state and local governments, advocacy groups, or international organizations. - Staff Development and Human Resources
Development of inclusive personnel strategies, design of recruitment and selection processes that are sensitive to discrimination, and promotion of a diverse and inclusive organizational culture. - Academia and Research
Collaboration on national and international research projects, participatory research in partnership with diverse communities, and the advancement of Disability & Diversity Studies and related research fields. - Advocacy Groups, NGOs, and Civil Society
Design and implementation of projects in the areas of human rights, anti-discrimination, inclusion, and social participation, advocacy, educational work, and awareness-raising initiatives.
Possible job titles include, for example
- Disability & Diversity Manager
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Manager
- Inclusion Consultant
- Project Manager for Inclusion and Diversity
- Accessibility Manager
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist
- Organizational Consultant specializing in Diversity and Inclusion
- Research Assistant
- Coordinator for Inclusion and Accessibility
- Education and Project Officer
Research and Teaching
At CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, research and teaching are linked in a dynamic interplay and complement each other in their objectives.
Our approach aims to actively involve students in the research process, thereby familiarizing them with the fundamental principles of research. In this way, we promote not only scientific understanding but also the practical application of research findings in real-world contexts.
The topics of our research activities, as well as the content of our teaching and continuing education programs, are specifically tailored to the current and future needs of society and the economy. In close collaboration with our research efforts, we continuously refine our programs to address evolving challenges. In doing so, we strive to foster both the scientific knowledge and the methodological skills of our students so that they are able to actively contribute to society’s pressing needs and develop innovative solutions.