The Master of Disability Policy and Practice is a 72-unit program, comprising coursework and a research component. The course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. The course may be taken over four semesters full-time or the equivalent part-time.

Given the related pathways of coursework graduate study in Disability, students enrolled in the Master of Disability Policy and Practice may choose, after completing the appropriate units of study, to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies.

Admission requirements

Students are required to complete 72 units of study for the Master of Disability Policy and Practice. Applicants must normally hold a minimum of an approved Bachelor degree of 3 or more years duration in an area related to Disability

Advanced Entry (1.5 years) applicants who have completed a qualification listed below may be eligible to complete a program of 54 units:

  • An approved Bachelor degree in Disability from an approved tertiary institution; or
  • An approved Bachelor degree of four or more years duration in an area closely related to Disability and two years of relevant professional experience
  • An Honours degree (or equivalent) in Disability or a closely related discipline from an approved tertiary institution; or
  • A Graduate Certificate in Disability or a closely related discipline.

Credit may be granted, on application, for relevant work already completed in other approved programs.

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.

Program of study