Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies will have:

• A systematic and coherent body of knowledge of contemporary theoretical, policy and practice knowledge from a wide range of medical, allied health, rehabilitation, and health/disability insurance fields
• Specialised knowledge of:
  • contemporary social and disability policy
  • historic and contemporary global and national approaches to disability rights and reform
  • the impacts of disability and disabling conditions on the diverse population groups of Australia including urban, rural and regional Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and culturally diverse Australians
  • case-management including person-centred approaches to disability (a core principle of the National Disability Insurance Scheme)
  • vocational rehabilitation and training
  • key disability networks and alliances.
• Knowledge of the shift from the welfare and medical models of service delivery to a marketised (insurance model) and inclusive, social model of individualised services to people with disabilities.

Strengthen your understanding of the diverse experiences, needs and perspectives of people with disability in this graduate certificate. You will historical and contemporary views and first-person narratives on disability to work alongside people with disabilities and understand their perspectives more effectively, placing their lived experienced at the centre of your understanding and practice. This is a program that is guided by inclusion and civil rights and the knowledge that disability is just one influence shaping people's lives.

You will explore policy, program, service and practice issues such as the history and purpose of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); global and Australian historical and contemporary responses to disability rights; contemporary case-management and person-centred approaches to service delivery; and the development of inclusive practices that value lived experiences and meet the diverse needs of all Australians with a disability.

Recommended study pattern

The Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies is a part-time program and is offered online only.

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

• The Lived Experience of Disability
• Disability Inclusion
• Disability Theories and Approaches

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 be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies (GCertDisSt), you must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module.

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

Indicative total fee $13,250

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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies, applicants must hold:

• a completed a Bachelor (or higher) degree in any discipline

Completed a Certificate IV or Diploma VET/TAFE qualification in a related discipline AND a minimum of one year full-time professional experience in the disability, rehabilitation or related human services fields.

Completed a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the disability, rehabilitation or related human services fields and can demonstrate the ability to undertake graduate study through a discussion with the Program Director and provision of curriculum vitae and an employer's reference.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) 
• OR C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.