Studies in Disability Practice

Providing you with essential skills in understanding disability, evidence-based practice and transformation.

Are you currently working, or interested in embarking on a rewarding career in any of the following areas: disability support, health, human services, or rehabilitation?

Driven by the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), UNE has developed an innovative and flexible program designed to equip you with the key knowledge and skills to guide you in adopting person-centred approaches to assisting people with a disability and their families. The focus is also on building your expertise in addressing challenging behaviour from a functional assessment perspective. Our Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice, Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice and Master of Disability Practice embed a unique approach to training well-informed practitioners by increasing your competencies in:

  • understanding the scientific basis of disability,
  • planning and delivering evidence-based services to individuals and groups, and
  • transforming your business and people management practices within the specific setting of a disability service organisation.

The program is designed to give you the skills to help your organisation to lead in the new era of disability-focused service delivery, whether that be in the government, private or community services sector.

The program enables you to progress from the Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice to the Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice or the Master of Disability Practice.

You will study clinical, behavioural, and neurobiological issues in the essential to provision of disability services, and have the opportunity in the Graduate Diploma and the Master to complete study relevant to NDIS business management. You will also gain hands-on experience in the disability practice field in the Clinical Experience Pathway of the Master through completion of a practicum-based unit.

As a graduate you will be well prepared to participate effectively in NDIS service delivery as the anticipated demand for specialised client support, intervention, and management continues to increase.

Weight lifting and exercise

Courses

Three courses are available to students wishing to study disability within evidence-based practitioner and management frameworks:

Students will study clinical, behavioural, and neurobiological issues in the provision of disability services, and have the opportunity to complete study relevant to NDIS business management. They will also gain hands-on experience in the disability practice field through completion of a practicum placement unit of study.

All courses may be completed online on a part-time basis, allowing students to balance study with work and other commitments.

Units

Information on neuroscience, functional behaviour assessment, and human development units which make the main contribution to the study of disability practice are available at HDEV and NEUR.

Careers

The implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has created a demand for practitioners and managers with specialist education and training in the disability and human services sector.

As a graduate, you will be well prepared for a variety of roles within the disability field.  Potential careers include roles in disability advocacy, case management and human services, rehabilitation and employment services, and disability policy and program
development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What background do I need to be able to enrol for one the courses in Disability Practice?

You are able to complete Disability Practice studies at UNE whether or not you have a qualification in a relevant area - the relevant areas have been defined as:

  • Business
  • Education
  • Health
  • Law
  • Management
  • Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Other similar areas as determined by the Course Coordinator.

How can I get into one of the Disability Practice courses if I don’t have background in of the relevant areas?

If you are able to demonstrate you have relevant experience in the provision of services to people with or without disability you are able to apply to enrol for our Disability Practice courses.

What will I actually be studying in a Disability Practice course?

The following courses are available:

  • Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice
  • Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice
  • Master of Disability Practice

Can I go onto further study in Disability Practice?

On completion of the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma you will be eligible to enrol for the Master of Disability Practice.

If you complete the Research Pathway, including the thesis, in the Master of Disability Practice you will be eligible to apply to enrol for a research Master degree or a PhD.

Will I have to re-locate to Armidale complete a course in Disability Practice?

All of our Disability Practice courses are offered online on a part-time basis, allowing you to balance study with work and other commitments.

How does online study work?

UNE is at the forefront of online learning.

You will access your materials via our Student Portal myUNE. Teaching material including study timetables, details of assessments, topic notes, readings, podcasts, discussion spaces and links to online resources are located on our Learning Management System, myLearn. Your lecturer will interact with you via myLearn and is also available by email or phone.

You are able to purchase textbooks through the UNE Life Shop.

You are also able to access the facilities and services of Dixson Library.

How long does it take to complete a course in Disability Practice?

  • for the Graduate Certificate you will have up to two years
  • if you wish to complete the Graduate Diploma you will have up to four years
  • the Master permits you up to be six years

How much will it cost?

All Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available on a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) basis (please note:  quotas do apply) or a Full-Fee basis.  The Master degree is a Full Fee-paying course.   Go to Tuition Fees for further details.

How do I apply?

Go to How to apply and follow the instructions.

I’ve completed study at another university – can I get advanced standing (credit) for that?

If you have completed study at another tertiary institution you are able to apply for Advanced Standing (please note:  this is a separate process to applying to enrol for the course).

When I’m actually enrolling for a course how do I select which units I should be completing?  How do I plan my study?

  • All units approved for your course are listed in the Program of Study for your course.
  • If your course includes Core Units, you will need to commence your study with these units. This is particularly important in the Master degree as the topics you cover in the Core Units will inform your decision on the particular area of Disability Studies you wish to concentrate on when completing the Research/Capstone Experience units.
  • It is strongly recommended that you follow the Course Plans provided for your course.  These have been developed taking into account unit pre-requisite, co-requisite and timetabling requirements.

Who can I contact for further information and advice on admission requirements, programs of study and career opportunities?

If you interested in furthering your career in human and disability services, or are keen to start a career in these areas, the Course Coordinator is more than happy to discuss your options and help you choose the program which most suit your needs.

Contacts

Enquiries about studying the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Disability Practice at UNE can be made to the Course Coordinator who will be more than happy to discuss your options with you.

For general and administrative enquiries, AskUNE.