Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education)

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Critically discuss and evaluate contemporary literature and research in field of disability practice, policy and leadership.
2. Demonstrate a detailed professional knowledge around a range of conceptual disability perspectives.
3. Work in alliance with people with disability, families and advocates to promote the well-being of people with disability.
4. Apply evidence-informed knowledge to professional practice in an area of specialised knowledge pertaining to disability.
5. Use specialised knowledge and human rights approach to facilitate inclusion and citizenship of people with disability.
6. Critically evaluate and apply research, problem solving frameworks and reflection skills in ethical decision-making and professional practice.
7. Contribute to professional practice, workforce development and leadership in disability and human services.
8. Develop an understanding of, and competency in, research and evaluation as it applies to the disability field.
9. Contribute to the informed construction of disability policy, whether local, national or global.
10. Demonstrate professional knowledge around conceptual perspectives and embodied experience of disability.
11. Demonstrate ability to analyse and formulate clinical reports and recommendations based on observations and findings in collaborate with people with disabilities and stakeholders.
12. Value and incorporate ongoing critical self-reflection and continued professional development as a Developmental Educator.

This course provides students with work-relevant skills and knowledge they can apply as Developmental Educators across a wide range of contexts in disability, health and human services fields.

Developmental Educators are multi-disciplinary disability specialists. As allied health professionals, Developmental Educators, also known as DEs, occupy roles in a variety of disability, human service, mental health, and educational settings, in the State and Federal Government, and non-government sectors.

Grounded in a human rights approach, this course is focused on promoting the rights of people with disability to inclusive lives and to building the capacity of the workforce to lead practice allied with this aim.

Recommended study pattern

First Year

Topics in disability theory and practice; leading through change; facilitating accessible teaching and learning strategies; ethical issues in disability, design and evaluation of disability programs; inclusion, belonging and participation; disability, rights and embodiment; and policy in the lives of people with disability.

Second Year

• Core topics in positive behaviour support; delivering therapeutic supports; early childhood intervention; and advanced practicum in disability
• A variety of option topics across policy, practice, leadership, trauma responsive practice, and research.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education) a student must complete 72 units with grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic.

Exit points

Students who do not wish to complete the full Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education) may be eligible to exit with one of the following qualifications, provided they meet the specific requirements:

• Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice and Leadership – Students who have successfully completed 36 units of study, including core topics, may be eligible to exit with this qualification.
• Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice – Students who have successfully completed 18 units of study, including core topics, may be eligible to exit with this qualification.
• Graduate Certificate in Disability Policy and Leadership - Students who have successfully completed 18 units of study, including core topics, may be eligible to exit with this qualification.

For further details on exit options, students should refer to the program of study handbook.

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

Indicative total fee $33,984

The amounts shown here are 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.

Learn more about Flinders University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

20

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas qualification 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.

In order to complete the degree, you will need to fulfil preplacement requirements to undertake compulsory clinical placements.

Further information can be found on the Disability and Community Inclusion placement webpage.