The Bachelor of Education Studies, Bachelor of Disability Studies requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.
This double degree is only available to transfer into after at least 72 units of study have been attempted (excluding topics for which a Withdraw, Not Fail (WN) has been recorded) in either the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Special Education), Bachelor of Disability Studies; Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7 and Special Education), Bachelor of Disability Studies; Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling/Special Education), Bachelor of Disability Studies; or Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Special Education.
Students who complete this degree will NOT meet the professional experience requirements to qualify for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia.
Students in the Bachelor of Education double degree programs listed above are reminded that they may choose to exit with either a Bachelor of Education Studies after 108 units or they may be eligible to transfer to the 144 unit Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education and apply for credit for topics already completed.
Course aims
The course aims to produce graduates who:
- are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of educational, disability, health and human services settings
- have the cognitive skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge;
- are able to apply their knowledge creatively and skilfully in a variety of settings;
- are able to communicate effectively;
- are able to work both independently and collaboratively;
- have the capacity to undertake ongoing study through a variety of pathways; have developed knowledge and skills in one school curriculum learning area.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the philosophical, sociological and psychological perspectives of disability and special learning needs;
- demonstrate knowledge of similarities and differences in human development and the characteristics between and among individulas with and without disabilities and diverse learning needs;
- demonstrate research and evaluation skills relevant to disabiity and special education;
- identify, critically examine and debate issues and solve problems relating to disability and special needs;
- apply educational theory, knowledge and understanding to make informed professional judgements in diverse educational situations;
- communicate effectively with a variety of audiences for a range of purposes about matters relevant to the education of children and young people;
- demonstrate the knowledge and skills that provide a foundation for being able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve high quality, equitable outcomes for young people and the wider community;
- acquire a knowledge and understanding of the content, context and processes of learning and teaching;
- use a wide range of literacies with confidence and competence;
- develop the metacognitive skills to engage critically in the complex thinking required in learning and teaching;
- establish a firm educational foundation for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Education Studies, Bachelor of Disability Studies, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, selected from one of Option A, B, or C:
Option A - Early Childhood
Year 1 topics
DSRS1201 Perspectives of Disability and Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1211 Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1215 Communication and Language (4.5 units)
EDUC1120 Teaching and Educational Contexts (4.5 units)
EDUC1221 Play, Learning and Development (4.5 units)
EDUC1224 Foundations of Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC1228 Students with Learning and Behavioural Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC3522 Pedagogies of Belonging (4.5 units)
Year 2 topics
DSRS2231 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)
DSRS2234 Direct Instruction (4.5 units)
DSRS2236 Practicum B: Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS4104 Early Intervention and Play for Young Children with Diverse Learning Needs (4.5 units)
EDUC2321 The Expressive Arts in Early Childhood (4.5 units)
EDUC2323 Students with Numeracy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC2421 Literacy and Numeracy (Birth-4) (4.5 units)
EDUC2423 Students with Literacy Difficulties (4.5 units)
Year 3 and 4 topics
DSRS3233 Practicum C - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (9 units)
EDUC4731 Assessment and Programming in Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC4732 Functional Curriculum Design for Students with Disabilities (4.5 units)
Option - Education Topics
Select 22.5 units from:
EDUC3618 Numeracy and Multiliteracies in Design and Technology (4.5 units)
EDUC3622 Thinking and Working Mathematically (4.5 units)
EDUC3623 Health and Physical Education in Early Childhood (4.5 units)
EDUC4721 Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Primary) (4.5 units)
EDUC4722 Critical Pedagogies for a Changing World (4.5 units)
EDUC4723 Investigating Early Years Curriculum and Pedagogy (4.5 units)
EDUC4724 Thinking and Working Scientifically in the Early Years (4.5 units)
Option - Disability Studies Topics
Select 31.5 units from:
DSRS3221 Positive Behaviour Support (4.5 units)
DSRS3222 Counselling (4.5 units)
DSRS3234 Case Management (4.5 units)
DSRS3235 Community Development and Funding in Human Services (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)
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)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods in Social Health Research (4.5 units)
Option B - Primary R-7
Year 1 topics
DSRS1201 Perspectives of Disability and Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1202 Lifespan Development (4.5 units)
DSRS1211 Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1209 Human Diversity (4.5 units)
DSRS1215 Communication and Language (4.5 units)
EDUC1120 Teaching and Educational Contexts (4.5 units)
EDUC1224 Foundations of Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC1228 Students with Learning and Behavioural Difficulties (4.5 units)
Year 2 topics
DSRS2231 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)
DSRS2234 Direct Instruction (4.5 units)
DSRS2236 Practicum B: Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
EDUC2322 Learners and their Development (Primary) (4.5 units)
EDUC2323 Students with Numeracy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC2422 Mathematics Curriculum Studies (4.5 units)
EDUC2423 Students with Literacy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC3523 Expressive Arts Curriculum Studies: Visual Arts, Drama, Media, Music and Dance (4.5 units)
Year 3 and 4 topics
DSRS3233 Practicum C - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (9 units)
EDUC4731 Assessment and Programming in Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC4732 Functional Curriculum Design for Students with Disabilities (4.5 units)
Option - Education Topics
Select 27 units from:
EDUC3524 Health and Physical Education Curriculum Studies (4.5 units)
EDUC3620 Relationships for Learning (4.5 units)
EDUC3624 Science, Design and Technology Curriculum Studies (4.5 units)
EDUC3625 Numeracy and ICT across the Curriculum (4.5 units)
EDUC4721 Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Primary) (4.5 units)
EDUC4725 English Curriculum Studies 2 (4.5 units)
EDUC4726 Social Sciences Curriculum Studies: History and Geography (4.5 units)
Option - Disability Studies Topics
Select 27 units from:
DSRS3221 Positive Behaviour Support (4.5 units)
DSRS3222 Counselling (4.5 units)
DSRS3234 Case Management (4.5 units)
DSRS3235 Community Development and Funding in Human Services (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)
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)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods in Social Health Research (4.5 units)
Option C - Secondary
Year 1 topics
DSRS1201 Perspectives of Disability and Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
DSRS1215 Communication and Language (4.5 units)
EDUC1120 Teaching and Educational Contexts (4.5 units)
EDUC1224 Foundations of Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC1228 Students with Learning and Behavioural Difficulties (4.5 units)
Plus choose 13.5 units of Teaching Major topics*
*Students who studied in the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling/Special Education), Bachelor of Disability Studies prior to 2017 may replace the 13.5 units of Teaching Major topics with:
DSRS1202 Lifespan Development (4.5 units)
DSRS1211 Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units of Teaching Minor topics
Year 2 topics
DSRS2234 Direct Instruction (4.5 units)
EDUC2320 Learners and their Development (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (4.5 units)
EDUC2323 Students with Numeracy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC2420 Teaching Indigenous Australian Students (4.5 units)
EDUC2423 Students with Literacy Difficulties (4.5 units)
Plus choose 13.5 units of Teaching Major topics#
#Students who studied in the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling/Special Education), Bachelor of Disability Studies prior to 2017 may replace EDUC2420 Teaching Indigenous Australian Students and the 13.5 units of Teaching Major topics with:
DSRS2231 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)
DSRS2236 Practicum B: Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of Teaching Minor topics
Year 3 and 4 topics
DSRS2231 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)**
DSRS2236 Practicum B: Disability and Community Rehabilitation (4.5 units)**
DSRS3233 Practicum C - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (9 units)
EDUC4731 Assessment and Programming in Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC4732 Functional Curriculum Design for Students with Disabilities (4.5 units)
**Students who completed DSRS2231 and DSRS2236 in Year 2 must select 4.5 units of Teaching Minor topics and an additional 4.5 units of Option - Education topics.
Option - Education Topics
Select 4.5 units from:
EDUC3620 Relationships for Learning (4.5 units)
EDUC3626 Contemporary Issues in Middle Schooling (4.5 units)
EDUC3628 Numeracy and ICT across the Middle & Secondary Curriculum (4.5 units)
EDUC4720 Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (4.5 units)
Option - Disability Studies Topics
Select 40.5 units from:
DSRS3221 Positive Behaviour Support (4.5 units)
DSRS3222 Counselling (4.5 units)
DSRS3234 Case Management (4.5 units)
DSRS3235 Community Development and Funding in Human Services (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)
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)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods in Social Health Research (4.5 units)
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.
Teaching Major/Minor
A 27 unit Teaching Major consists of:
- 9 units of Year 1 topics;
- 9 units of Year 2 topics; and
- 9 units of Year 2 or Year 3 topics.
An 18 unit Teaching Minor consists of:
- 9 units of Year 1 topics; and
- 9 units of Year 2 or Year 3 topics.
Teaching Majors/Minors must be selected from:
- Biological Sciences
- Chinese (only available to pre-2017 students)
- Creative Writing
- Drama
- Earth Sciences
- English
- French
- Geography (prior to 31 December 2014)
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Health Education
- History
- Indonesian
- Information Technology
- Italian
- Mathematics
- Modern Greek
- Physical Education
- Spanish
- Visual Arts