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 Medicine, Nursing and 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
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'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 with a capstone topic;
- Coursework and a Coursework Project;
-
Coursework and a Research Dissertation.
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 & Capstone
DSRS9057 Disability: Individual, Family and Society (4.5 units)
DSRS9066 Disability Studies Capstone Project (4.5 units)
plus 63 units from the option 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 option 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 & 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)
DSRS9030D Dissertation in Disability Studies (4.5/18 units)
DSRS9030E Dissertation in Disability Studies (4.5/18 units)
DSRS9030F Dissertation in Disability Studies (4.5/18 units)
DSRS9030G Dissertation in Disability Studies (4.5/18 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 option topics listed below, or with the permission of the Course Coordinator, select topics from other areas relevant to their program of study.
Option 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)
DSRS9070 Early Intervention for Children with Developmental Delays (4.5 units)
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year. Enquiries should be made to the Course Coordinator.