Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education - prior to 31 December 2020

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The aim of the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education is to equip students with specific work-integrated knowledge and skills that can be applied in a range of disability and related health and human services environments. The course prepares students for employment as Developmental Educators and disability specialists.

It has a multidisciplinary focus, with contributions from special education, psychology, philosophy, sociology, health and rehabilitation. Opportunities are available in the fourth (final) year of the course to choose your area of interest and build on core knowledge and skills with work integrated learning experiences.

Learning outcomes

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

apply positive disability and human diversity perspectives to professional practice
promote the physical and emotional well-being of people with disabilities
recommend upon and teach functional skills such as social, self-care, recreational, communication and language, and employment skills
develop and implement positive behavioural support, learning and lifestyle plans
work with families and care-givers to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities
support individuals with disabilities to access and maintain meaningful vocational experiences
utilise advocacy, negotiation and person-centred planning to facilitate community inclusion of people with disabilities
develop and provide case management and counselling support for people with disabilities and their associates
apply research, problem solving and evaluation skills to professional practice with people with disabilities and their associates
work independently or as part of a team.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study set out below.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

DSRS1201  Perspectives on Disability and Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1202  Lifespan Development (4.5 units)
DSRS1206  Health Issues and Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS1209  Human Diversity (4.5 units)
DSRS1210  Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication (4.5 units)
DSRS1211  Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1215  Communication and Language (4.5 units)
DSRS1216  Introduction to Principles of Learning (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

DSRS2230  Mentoring and Advocacy for People with Diverse Learning Needs (4.5 units)
DSRS2231  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)
DSRS2232  Practicum A - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS2234  Direct Instruction (4.5 units)
DSRS2235  Professional Ethics for Disability Practitioners (4.5 units)
DSRS2236  Practicum B - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS2237  Employment & Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS2220 Family & Professional Partnerships (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

DSRS3235 Community Development, Funding & Tendering in Human Services (4.5 units)
DSRS3221  Positive Behaviour Support (4.5 units)
DSRS3222  Counselling (4.5 units)
DSRS3233  Practicum C - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (9 units)
DSRS3234  Case Management (4.5 units)
HLTH3102  Qualitative Methods in Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3105  Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics*

Select 4.5 units from the following list:

DSRS4106 Practicum Specialisation 1 (4.5 units)
DSRS4114 Practicum Specialisation 3 (4.5 units)

Option - Year 4 topics

Select 31.5 units from the following list:

DSRS4100  Rehabilitation and Mental Health (4.5 units)
DSRS4101 Arts, Sports and Leisure amongst Diverse Populations (4.5 units)
DSRS4102  Technological Applications and Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS4103  Community Rehabilitation for People with ABI (4.5 units)
DSRS4104  Early Intervention and Play for Young Children with Diverse Learning Needs (4.5 units)
DSRS4105  Independent Study 1 (4.5 units)
DSRS4106  Practicum Specialisation 1 (4.5 units)
DSRS4108  Applied Counselling & Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS4109  Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Lifespan (4.5 units)
DSRS4110  Transition to Adult Life for Young People with Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS4112  Sensory, Physical and Multiple Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS4113  Independent Study 2 (4.5 units)
DSRS4114  Practicum Specialisation 3 (4.5 units)

Not all fourth year option topics are necessarily available in each Semester. Students are encouraged to seek enrolment advice from staff in the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit when planning their final year enrolment.

*A student who has completed the first three years of the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education may be accepted as a candidate for the Honours degree providing a sufficiently high standard has been achieved.

Honours Degree

Refer to Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education (Honours)

Every effort has been made to ensure the information published on the Course Rule pages is accurate at the time of publication. Flinders University reserves the right to amend its curriculum without prior notice, and will update the Course Rules to reflect any amendments at the earliest opportunity.