Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Disability Studies

(MDisSt)

INTRODUCTION

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 on a Commonwealth Supported basis.

Credit of up to 48 units may be granted for approved prior studies and work experience. See Credit and Program of study below for details.

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.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is intended to provide professional knowledge and development of expertise in many areas of disability.

Learning outcomes

Students completing this course should be expected to be able to:

broaden the professional opportunities for graduates and 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;
prepare graduates who will be able to provide the leadership necessary to positively influence the delivery of quality services for people with diverse needs.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must normally hold an approved three-year bachelor degree in a relevant field or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution and have had at least two years' work experience in disability service provision.

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 will be granted 18 units of credit (but with a maximum of 12 units if a research project is taken).

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]

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.

The coursework topics shall be selected, in consultation with the program approver or course coordinator, from the following list or from any other approved masters program offered by the University or another tertiary institution.

DSRS9019	Communication Difficulties	6
DSRS9028	Rehabilitation and Learning Following Acquired Brain Injury	6
DSRS9030	Dissertation in Disability Studies	18
DSRS9031	Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs	6
DSRS9032	Current Issues in Disability Studies (Advanced)	6
DSRS9034	Advanced Practicum in Disability Studies	6
DSRS9035	Directed Study in Disabilities	6
DSRS9042	Thesis Disability Studies	24
DSRS9045	Coursework Project in Disability/Rehabilitation Studies	12
DSRS9046	Legal, Ethical and Administrative Dimensions of Disability Studies	6
DSRS9047	Disability: Individual, Family and Societial Perspectives	6
DSRS9048	Leadership in Disability Studies	6
DSRS9803	Professional Practicum	18
EDSP9006	Intellectual Disability	6
EDSP9008	Management of Physical and Multiple Disabilities	6
EDSP9016	Transition from School to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities	6
EDSP9021	Autism Spectrum Disorder: Theory and Practice	6
EDSP9044	Technology and Disability	6

Students can also select relevant topics offered by the School of Education, for example:

EDSP9007	Theories of Behaviour Management	6
EDSP9010	Studies in Vision Impairment 1	6
EDSP9011	Studies in Vision Impairment 2	6

Research topics are available as follows:

PHCA8007	Research in Primary Health Care: Theory and Practice	6
EDES9018	Research Design and Evaluation	6

Some topics are available in external mode.

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

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.