Master of Disability Policy and Practice [2 years]

The Master of Disability Policy and Practice is a 72-unit program, comprising coursework and a research component. The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The course may be taken over four semesters full-time or the equivalent part-time.

Given the related pathways of coursework in Disability Studies, students enrolled in the Master of Disability Policy and Practice may be eligible, after completing the appropriate units of study, to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies.

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

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold a minimum of an approved Bachelor degree of 3 or more years duration in an area related to Disability

Students will receive credit for topics already undertaken in the Flinders University Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies.

The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

This course is intended to develop skills for students interested in becoming professional leaders in disability. The degree prepares students with advanced skills and specialised knowledge that can be applied to support the participation and contribution of people with diverse needs with the local community. Students will develop expertise required of disability and allied health professions enabling them to work in a variety of Government and non-government organisations in health, education and human service settings.

The course aims to:

• provide advanced insights into theoretical and practical matters in disability in such a way as to improve the making of professional decisions
• broaden the professional opportunities for graduates within an evolving policy and practice context and to assist them in becoming NDIS aware knowledgeable, effective and respected professionals in their chosen field
• prepare graduates with advanced skills and 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 area of disability
• prepare graduates who will be able to provide the leadership necessary to positively influence the delivery of quality services for people with diverse needs across a broad range of community settings.

Learning outcomes 

On successful completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• critically discuss and evaluate current theory and research in selected areas of disability policy and practice
• demonstrate professional knowledge around a range of conceptual disability perspectives
• promote the physical and emotional well-being of people living with disability
• apply positive disability perspectives to professional practice in an area of specialised knowledge
• use specialised knowledge to facilitate community participation of people living with disability
• apply research, problem solving and/or evaluation skills to professional practice
• develop a detailed understanding of the professional practice of disability studies as it relates to diagnosis, behavioural intervention, social and community education and employment
• develop an understanding of, and competency in, research as it applies to the disability field
• develop skills in the evaluation of disability and allied rehabilitation programs
• contribute to the informed construction of disability policy, whether local, national or global.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Disability Policy and Practice a student must complete 72 units in one of the following streams  with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

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 purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Except with permission of the Course Coordinator or nominee the program must be completed full-time within four consecutive semesters or the equivalent part-time.

Stream - Coursework

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

DSRS9053  Advanced Practicum in Disability* (4.5 units)
DSRS9054  Directed Study in Disability* (4.5 units)
DSRS9057  Introduction to Disability Theory and Professional Practice* (4.5 units)
POAD8014  Public Policy  (4.5 units)

Plus topics from the list of Option – Year 1 & 2 topics below so that the total program of study comprises 72 units.

Stream – Coursework with Research Project or Dissertation

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

AGES9026  Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations  (4.5 units)
DSRS9053  Advanced Practicum in Disability * (4.5 units)
DSRS9057  Introduction to Disability Theory and Professional Practice* (4.5 units)
POAD8014  Public Policy  (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units of Research Coursework Project or 18 units of Dissertation #:

DSRS9055  Coursework Project in Disability/Rehabilitation  (9 units)

or

DSRS9030B  Dissertation in Disability Studies  (9 units) and
DSRS9030C  Dissertation in Disability Studies  (9 units)

Plus  topics from the list of Option – Year 1 & 2 topics below so that the total program of study comprises 72 units.

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

AGES9026 Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations ** (4.5 units)
DSRS9050  Communication Difficulties  (4.5 units)
DSRS9052  Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs  (4.5 units)
DSRS9056  Ethical and Legal Issues in 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 Developmental Delays  (4.5 units)
INDG9000 Indigenous Research Methodologies  (4.5 units) 
REMH8026  Working with People with Disabilities in Remote and Indigenous Contexts  (4.5 units)

Students may, with approval from the Course Coordinator or nominee, select relevant alternative option topics for up to 9 units of study.

* DSRS9057 must be completed in the student’s first semester of enrolment.
* DSRS9053 must be completed after 18 units of the program.
* DSRS9054 must be completed after 36 units of the program.

** AGES9026 may be taken as an option topic if selecting Stream – Coursework.

# Students who wish to undertake the Dissertation topics must have a GPA of 5 or above, and have successfully completed AGES9026. The Dissertation must be completed over two consecutive semesters.