Master of Disability Studies (Distance Education)

The Master of Disability Studies provides a mix of theoretical and practical content. It is designed for professionals who are either working, or who aspire to work in the disability field in either a "hands-on", or managerial capacity.

Staff from the Centre for Special Education and Disability Studies who deliver the program have respected national and international research profiles in Disability Studies. In addition, courses in the Disability Studies program consistently receive high satisfaction ratings on the University's Student Evaluation of Courses survey.

Graduates of the Disability Studies program will have demonstrated skills and competencies that make them eligible for employment in a wide range of community disability services for people with a disability that include employment, residential community access and a wide variety of other disability service types. Graduates would also be eligible for employment for direct support as well as management positions.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit www.gradschool.com.au for information on how to gain entry.

For the Master of Disability Studies a relevant University degree is required. However, students who have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Disability Studies), are eligible to apply and may receive up to 40 units credit in the Master of Disability Studies. It is assumed that applicants will have the equivalent of two years relevant professional experience.

Two years of relevant professional experience.

Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for direct entry to the award may enter via the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on ‘How to Apply for Credit’.

Completion of a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies in the specialisation of Disability may receive up to 40 units of credit.

At this time, a set of national professional standards for people working in community disability services does not exist in Australia. However, the content of the courses in the Disability Studies program fully address the National Competency Standards for Disability Services, developed by the National Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Board.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

Courses are delivered through distance learning packages, and some learning materials are also available on-line. All courses are offered at Masters level. There is no residential or examination requirement.

Core courses will be offered every second year instead of every year. The pattern of study for the Master of Disability Studies is:

• 2011 - core courses;
• 2012 - directed courses;
• 2013 - core courses;
• 2014 - directed courses.