Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion

Start working in disability sooner or build on your current skills and experience with a Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion. Complete your course in just one year, and graduate with a contemporary understanding of disability that prepares you for the exciting roles emerging within the sector.

Are you ready for a rewarding career in disability but not ready to commit to a Masters degree?

Flexible online delivery and a short study duration make this course a popular choice for busy students looking to progress their career, in the disability sector. Study four core units, which are consistent with core units from the Master of Disability and Inclusion, and feel confident about contributing to more inclusive, accessible communities once you graduate.

If, upon successful completion of the course, you want to dive deeper, you have the option to continue your studies by continuing on with the Master of Disability and Inclusion and completing eight more units including a major research project.

The course is deeply connected to people with disability, the disability industry, the organisations that work within it and the communities they serve. Many of our students have lived experience with disability – either their own or that of someone close to them. Our academics are embedded within the field, contributing to research of global significance. And our curriculum is responsive to contemporary international and national developments in disability legislation, policy, research and practice.

The topics you will cover are informed by leading disability theory and practice. In fact, the curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the needs of the contemporary disability sector you will be working in once you graduate. For example, you will gain an expert understanding of what underpins high quality individualised planning – a key feature of the NDIS in Australia, and used internationally to uphold the rights of people with disabilities embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Projects are anchored to developments and policies within the sector. You might be challenged to critically analyse recent updates to legislation. You also have the option of basing your assessment tasks on your current practice, weekly context or lived experience. This allows you to apply your skills instantly to the communities and contexts in which you engage.

A highlight of the course is building relationships with your fellow students and the academic team. Students in the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion come from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, ensuring your learning experience is vibrant and engaging. Our academic staff are leading nationally and internationally recognised researchers, making them great mentors, as well as teachers. Additionally, our partnerships with key organisations such as the NDIS, and other peak government and non-government disability organisations, as well as our international partners including the United Nations, and key disability researchers and advocates across the globe means the door will be open to professional networks and exciting employment opportunities. A constant connection to people with lived experience of disability makes your study experience richer and highly relevant. It also allows you to see the world through the eyes of a person with a disability, giving you a real and valuable perspective on inclusion.

• Begin the application process

  We have a network of experienced authorised agents around the world who can help you through the application process. They are trained to provide advice and information on Deakin University and our degrees. Find out if you need to use a Deakin authorised agent to submit your application.

• Check entry requirements

  Entry requirements differ depending on your degree or country of residence. Before starting your application, read through the entry requirements on the course page entry requirement tab.

  Need to improve your English language skills?

  You can enrol at the Deakin University English Language Institute and study a course to improve your English language skills. If you pass, this can help you get into most Deakin degrees. Please note, this page is available in both Indonesian and Vietnamese.

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• Certify supporting documents

  Most documents need to be certified. For example, award certificates, academic transcripts and your identity papers (passport). Documents in languages other than English will also need to be translated. Take the original document and a photocopy to an authorised person (for example, justice of the peace, public notary, member of the police force or Australian lawyer), to sign.

  Be sure to attach all requested supporting documentation, otherwise your application could be delayed. If you get your application in early, this gives us more time to arrange visas and accommodation if you need them.

• Submit your application

  Depending on your nationality and country of residence, you can submit your application directly to Deakin through our online international student application service StudyLink Connect or through a Deakin authorised agent.