Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
Postgraduate | GRF-DBS-GCE | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Work alongside people with disabilities
Understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities and become an effective advocate or carer. Delve into disability rights and person-centred approaches to service delivery. Examine inclusive solutions to national policy issues.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Price from
- $7,000
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
About this degree
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.
Exit points
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.
Degree structure can be found here
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.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
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 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.
Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:
Career opportunities
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.
Career outlook
- Health and Welfare Services Managers:
- Over $120K
- Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals:
- $93K to $120K
- Social Workers:
- $75K to $93K
- Welfare Support Workers:
- $75K to $93K