Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education)

The course aims to:

1. Provide advanced insights into theoretical and practical matters in disability to improve professional decision making, broadening the professional opportunities for graduates within an evolving policy and practice context
2. Assist students to become National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aware, knowledgeable, effective and respected professionals in their chosen field
3. Prepare graduates with advanced skills and specialised knowledge that can be applied to support the inclusion an citizenship of people with disability in their local communities
4. Provide an effective pathway for students who wish to specialise in a specific area of disability study
5. Develop leadership skills to prepare graduates to positively influence the delivery of quality services for people with disability across a broad range of community settings

Developmental educators and disability specialists occupy diverse roles across a variety of work areas. 

Potential occupations include:  

• Developmental educator
• Policy officer
• Community development officer
• Support coordinator
• Case manager
• Industry trainer and facilitator
• Systemic or individual advocate
• Project leader /senior project worker

Potential employers include:

• Disability support services
• Education sector
• Government sector
• Non-government agencies
• Community services
• Social welfare services
• Health/medical services
• Private sector
• Self employment

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible for registration with Developmental Education Association Incorporated (DEAI).

Higher education

Applicants must hold a qualification at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree in an allied health or human services-related area, e.g. special education, education, behavioural science, counselling, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology or social work.

In addition, students must have not less than two years work experience in a relevant disability related field.

English Proficiency Requirements

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.

The Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education) 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

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Disability Theory and Practice

• Facilitating Accessible Teaching and Learning Strategies

• Leading Through Change

• Ethical Issues in Disability

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

Exit Points

Upon completion of 18 units a student may choose to exit with Graduate Certificate in Disability Practice or Graduate Certificate Disability Policy and Leadership, subject to meeting the program of study for that award.

Upon completion of 36 units a students may choose to exit with a Graduate Diploma Disability Practice and Leadership, subject to meeting the program of study for that award.