The Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education requires four years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time. The honours program may be completed in the fourth year as an alternative to the coursework program. The course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

A major in Rehabilitation Counselling may be undertaken in fourth year as an alternative to the other areas of specialisation - see the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education (Rehabilitation Counselling).

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 disability and developmental educators, and community rehabilitation professionals.

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 pursue theoretical specialisations which build on core knowledge and skills and are integrated with independent studies and practica.

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
  • 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
  • assist 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
  • 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 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 Group Skills  (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)
 DSRS3220  Family & Professional Partnerships  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising

 DSRS2233  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*

9 units comprising 

one of:

 DSRS4105  Independent Study 1  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4113  Independent Study 2  (4.5 units)

plus one of:

 DSRS4106  Practicum Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4107  Practicum Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4114  Practicum Specialisation 3  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4115  Practicum Specialisation 4  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 4 topics

Select 27 units from the following list:

 DSRS4100  Rehabilitation and Mental Health  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4101  Leisure, Arts and Disability  (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)
 DSRS4107  Practicum Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4108  Applied Counselling & Rehabilitation  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4109  Autism Spectrum Disorders  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4110  Transition to Adult Life for Young People with Disabilities  (4.5 units)
 DSRS4111  Introduction to Intellectual Disability  (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)
 DSRS4115  Practicum Specialisation 4  (4.5 units)

Not all fourth year elective 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)