Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support

The Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support is an 18-unit program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. It is normally completed in two semesters part-time.

The Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support articulates with the 72 unit Master of Disability Policy and Practice, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the two awards.

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

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. 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 relating to positive behaviour support.

The course aims to:

• enable graduates to demonstrate critical appraisal and applied skills to enact evidence-based practice in partnership with individuals with complex behavior support needs and key stakeholders
• prepare graduates for leadership positions in supporting interdisciplinary teams in a positive behavior support context.

Learning outcomes 

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

• critically appraise and apply skills to enact evidence-based practice in partnership with individuals with complex behaviour support needs and key stakeholders
• determine appropriate indirect and direct assessment methods to determine factors influencing the occurrence of behaviours of concern
• compile and critically interpret assessment data to explain operant behaviours using the four-term contingency model
• formulate and test data-based hypotheses to determine the function of behaviours of concern for individuals with complex support needs
• develop and compose individualized behavior support plans that reflect formulations based on the four-term contingency, and that use professional language that is accessible to key stakeholders 
• provide theoretical and data-based explanations to key stakeholders regarding recommended practice
• monitor and critically evaluate behavior support plans to guide reflective practices and provide recommendations for improvement. 

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study. 

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.

Core - Year 1 topics

18 units comprising:

DSRS9057  Introduction to Disability Theory and Professional Practice  (4.5 units)
DSRS8130  Positive Behaviour Support: Implementation (4.5 units)
DSRS8131  Positive Behaviour Support: Assessment and Functional Analysis (4.5 units)
DSRS8132  Positive Behaviour Support: Practicum and Mentoring Program (4.5 units)