Master of Disability Studies

The Master of Disability Studies is a 72-unit program, comprising coursework and an optional coursework project or research component. The course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Credit of up to 48 units may be granted for approved prior studies and work experience.

Given the related pathways of coursework graduate study in Disability Studies, students enrolled in the Master of Disability Studies may choose, after completing the appropriate units of study, to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies.

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

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved three-year bachelor degree in a relevant field or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board 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 provide professional knowledge and the development of expertise in many areas of disability.

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 and to assist them in becoming 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
• enable students to specialise in areas of disability in which they may have particular interests
• 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 range of diverse community settings.
  

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, graduates should 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 around a specific issue or within a specific area of 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.

Credit

Applicants holding an approved four-year degree may be granted up to 36 units of credit. Applicants may be granted up to 18 units for approved, relevant work experience. The maximum credit which will be granted for any combination of approved four-year degree and approved, relevant work experience will be 48 units. Applicants holding an approved graduate certificate in a related field may be granted up to 18 units of credit.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Disability Studies a student must complete 72 units 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 purposes of the University&##39;s Policy on Student Progress.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board the program must be completed full-time within four consecutive semesters or the equivalent part-time. These periods will be reduced pro rata if credit is granted.

Students enrolled in the Master of Disability Studies degree may choose from a suite of topics that are available in one of three streams:

• Coursework and a Research Dissertation;
• Coursework and a Coursework Project;
• Coursework with a capstone topic.

In addition to completing topics offered by the Department of Disability Studies, students in the MDS degree program will also be encouraged to take topics outside of the disability area (e.g., health, education, creative arts, sociology, aged care, rehabilitation, counselling).

Stream 1 - Coursework & Research Dissertation

 DSRS9057  Disability: Individual, Family and Society  (4.5 units)

 Select 18 units from the topics listed

 DSRS9030A  Dissertation in Disability Studies (18/18 units)
 DSRS9030B  Dissertation in Disability Studies (9/18 units) 
 DSRS9030C  Dissertation in Disability Studies (9/18 units)

plus

 DSRS9052  Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs  (4.5 units) 

or other 4.5 unit research methods topic, to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

plus 45 units of elective topics listed below, or with the permission of the Course Coordinator, select topics from other areas relevant to their program of study.

Stream 2 - Coursework & Project

 DSRS9055  Coursework Project in Disability/Rehabilitation Studies  (9 units)
 DSRS9057  Disability: Individual, Family and Society  (4.5 units)

plus

 DSRS9052  Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs  (4.5 units) 

or other 4.5 unit research methods topic, to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

plus 54 units from the elective topics listed below, or with the permission of the Course Coordinator, select topics from other areas relevant to their program of study.

Stream 3 - Coursework & Capstone

 DSRS9057  Disability: Individual, Family and Society  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9066  Disability Studies Capstone Project  (4.5 units)

plus 63 units from the elective topics listed below, or with the permission of the Course Coordinator, select topics from other areas relevant to their program of study.

Elective topics 

 DSRS9050  Communication Difficulties  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9051  Rehabilitation and Learning Following Acquired Brain Injury  (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)

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year. Enquiries should be made to the Course Coordinator.