Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies

This graduate certificate is for people who are already working with or wish to work with people with a disability. It may allow you to upskill to meet the needs of your current role, to improve the care you can provide to one of your own family members, or to move into and entirely different career. That could be in healthcare, teaching, social work, criminal justice, and many other areas.

Key employment sectors

• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Public Administration and Safety
• Education and Training

Potential job outcomes

• Carer
• Specialist teacher
• Nurse
• Allied health professional
• Social worker
• Disability advocate
• Policy adviser

*Source: Australian Government Job Outlook.

Higher education via OUA

Higher education

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
• OR 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
• OR 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 Proficiency Requirements

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.

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. 

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), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 30 credit points for the core courses.
• gain 10 credit points for a listed elective.