Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies is an 18-unit program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree 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 Disability and Developmental Education and other relevant awards, and for teachers and allied professionals seeking to upgrade their specialised education.

In general the course aims to:

• broaden the professional opportunities for graduates and to assist them in becoming NDIS aware, 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.

Program of study

To qualify for the 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. 

18 units comprising:

Core topic

DSRS9057  Introduction to Disability Theory and Professional Practice  (4.5 units)*

*This topic is the only core (compulsory) topic in the Graduate Certificate of Disability Studies and must be completed in the first semester of study.

Option topics

Plus 13.5 units of option topics chosen from the topics listed below:

 DSRS9050  Communication Difficulties  (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)
 DSRS9060  Intellectual Disability  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9061  Management of Physical and Multiple Disabilities  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9063  Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan GE  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9064  Technology and Disability  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9065  Perspectives on Ageing and Disability  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9067  Promoting Inclusion in Arts, Sports and Leisure  (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)
 REMH8026  Working with People with Disabilities in Remote and Indigenous Contexts  (4.5 units)

#Students wanting to undertake DSRS9053 Advanced Practicum in Disability Studies or DSRS9054 Directed Study in Disability Studies must seek approval from the Course Coordinator or nominee before enrolling as specific guidelines apply.

Not all topics may be available in a given year.

Except with permission of the Dean (Education), the program must be completed within four consecutive semesters.

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.