Master of Disability Practice and Leadership - 1.5 years

Graduates have enhanced leadership skills required to work within a rapidly changing disability and human services field. This includes specialised knowledge that can be applied to support the inclusion and citizenship of people with disability, generate policy and build workforce capability allied with these goals. Graduates are knowledgeable in perspectives from social policy, education, psychology, philosophy, sociology, and health.

The Master of Disability Practice and Leadership aims to enhance leadership skills and provide senior practitioners and managers with the knowledge and skills required to work within a rapidly changing disability field. This course aims to develop skills for students interested in becoming professional leaders in disability. The degree prepares students with advanced skills and specialised knowledge that can be applied to support the inclusion and citizenship of people with disability, generate policy and build workforce capability allied with these goals.

The multidisciplinary focus of the program scaffolds student learning from multiple perspectives, including social policy, education, psychology, philosophy, sociology, and health. Work integrated learning provides opportunities for students to apply learning in practice throughout their studies.

Students will develop expertise specific to disability, enabling them to work in a variety of Government and non-government organisations in health, education and human service settings.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Disability Theory and Practice

• Leading Through Change

• Ethical Issues in Disability

• Design and Evaluation of Disability Programs

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Disability Practice and Leadership, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Not all topics are necessarily available each year.

Exit points

Upon completion of 18 units a student may choose to exit with Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice or Graduate Certificate Disability Policy and Leadership, subject to meeting the program of study for that award.

Upon completion of 36 units a students may choose to exit with a Graduate Diploma Disability Practice and Leadership, subject to meeting the program of study for that award.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $35,300

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

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Applicants must normally hold a bachelors degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution in the same field of study or a Bachelor Honours degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same field or in a different field of study.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.