The Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies is an 18-unit program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally hold an approved degree, diploma or equivalent qualification. However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
The course provides further study opportunities for graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies), the Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation and other relevant awards, including the former Diploma of Applied Science (Developmental Disabilities), and for teachers and allied professionals seeking to upgrade their specialised education.
For a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies without specialisation, four topics from the Master of Disability Studies course can be selected in consultation with the course coordinator.
There are Specialised Graduate Certificates available for students seeking to develop in-depth skills within a specific disability group or leadership stream. The course is intended to provide professional knowledge and the development of expertise in many areas of disability.
In general the course aims to:
- broaden the professional opportunities for graduates and to assist them in becoming knowledgeable, effective and respected professionals in their chosen field
- prepare graduates with specialised knowledge that can be applied to support the participation and contribution of people with diverse needs within their local communities
- provide an effective pathway for students who wish to specialise in a specific of area of disability.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, graduates should be able to:
- demonstrate professional knowledge around a conceptual disability perspective
- promote the physical and emotional well-being of people living with disability around a specific issue or within a specific area of disability
- apply positive disability perspectives to professional practice in an area of specialised knowledge
- utilise specialised knowledge to facilitate community participation of people with living disability
- apply research, problem solving and/or evaluation skills to professional practices.
Streams
Not all topics may be available in a given year. Enquiries should be made to the course coordinator.
#Students enrolling in the Leadership stream must consult with the course coordinator prior to selection of topics.
Program of study
To qualify for a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies a student must complete 18 units (4 x 4.5 unit topics) with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
18 units comprising:
DSRS9057 Disability: Individual, Family and Society (4.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units of option topics chosen from the topics listed below:
DSRS9050 Communication Difficulties (4.5 units)
DSRS9051 Rehabilitation and Learning Following Acquired Brain Injury (4.5 units)
DSRS9052 Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs (4.5 units)
DSRS9053 Advanced Practicum in Disability Studies (4.5 units)
DSRS9054 Directed Study in Disability Studies (4.5 units)
DSRS9056 Legal, Ethical and Administrative Dimensions of Disability Services (4.5 units)
DSRS9058 Positive Leadership for Positive Lives (4.5 units)
DSRS9059 Professional Practicum (9 units)
DSRS9060 Intellectual Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS9061 Management of Physical and Multiple Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS9062 Transition from School to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS9063 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
DSRS9064 Technology and Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS9065 Perspectives on Ageing and Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS9067 Leisure, Disability and The Arts (4.5 units)
DSRS9068 Counselling - Practical Applications (4.5 units)
DSRS9069 Mental Health, Disability and Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS9070 Early Intervention for Children with Development Delays (4.5 units)
REMH8025 Recognising and Responding to Dementia in Indigenous Communities (4.5 units)
REMH8026 Working with People with Disabilities in Remote and Indigenous Contexts (4.5 units)
Not all topics may be available in a given year. Enquiries should be made to the course coordinator.
Except with permission of the Dean (Education), the program must be completed within four consecutive semesters.
