Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies

Gain a critical understanding of disability

Strengthen your understanding of the diverse experiences, needs and perspectives of people with disability in this graduate certificate. You will explore historical and contemporary views and first-person narratives on disability to work alongside people with disabilities and understand their perspectives more effectively, placing their lived experienced at the centre of your understanding and practice. This program is guided by inclusion and civil rights and the knowledge that disability is just one influence shaping people's lives.

You will explore policy, program, service and practice issues such as the history and purpose of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); global and Australian historical and contemporary responses to disability rights; contemporary case-management and person-centred approaches to service delivery; and the development of inclusive practices that value lived experiences and meet the diverse needs of all Australians with a disability.

Industry and expert connections

You will be immersed in accounts of the lived experiences of people with a disability, gaining insight from the insider perspective and examining personal narratives including memoirs, autobiographies and documentary films of, or by, people with a disability. It's this perspective that is crucial to delivering patient-centred services such as health and education to people with a disability. Working alongside student-peers, you'll engage with these topics in seminars, online forums and through groupwork under the supervision of some of Australia's leading academics in this field.

Graduate outcomes

This is an attractive credential if you are already working with, or wish to work with, people with disability in a range of fields including rehabilitation, human services, disability support, health, and disability and health insurance. People from a range of professions benefit from the lessons of this degree, from nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, carers, and many more.

Flexibility

Study anytime, anywhere - This degree is available online through our Digital campus, giving you more room to fit university with your work and social life.

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies, applicants must hold:

• a completed a Bachelor (or higher) degree in any discipline; OR
• a Certificate IV or Diploma - VET/TAFE qualification in a related discipline^ and a minimum of one year full-time relevant experience^^; OR
• a combination of formal study, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above

^ Related discipline: Social or Behavioural Sciences, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology, Arts, Public Health, Health Science.

^^ Relevant experience: Community Services, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

• Admission Procedure

This graduate certificate is for people who are already working with or wish to work with people with a disability. It may allow you to upskill to meet the needs of your current role, to improve the care you can provide to one of your own family members, or to move into and entirely different career. That could be in healthcare, teaching, social work, criminal justice, and many other areas.

Key employment sectors

• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Public Administration and Safety
• Education and Training

Potential job outcomes

• Carer
• Specialist teacher
• Nurse
• Allied health professional
• Social worker
• Disability advocate
• Policy adviser

*Source: Australian Government Job Outlook.