160 credit points

Minimum duration: 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time.

Admission

Apply directly to ACU National.

Prerequisites

Applicants, with experience working in community-based organisations which provide a service to people with a disability, are encouraged to apply.

Deferment

• Deferment is available for 12 months. Find out more about deferment

Course Description

This course provides the opportunity for students to prepare for a career in the disability field, or human services and provides a pathway to the Bachelor of Inclusive Education and Disability Studies.

Contemporary understanding of disability acknowledges the rights of people with a disability to be full and participating members of society. Many people with a disability, particularly those with learning and intellectual disabilities require either episodic or lifelong supports to take their rightful place in society. The course aims to develop graduates’ skills to empower people with disabilities through inclusive education and development supports across the lifespan.

The course consists of units that encompass a holistic view of disability and the social structures that influence learning and development for people with a disability. This includes theoretical frameworks for understanding disability, social justice advocacy, influence of disability on learning, social dynamics and understanding behaviour support.

Students will have the opportunity to tailor the course to their particular interest areas through the selection of topics of interest in assessment tasks, fieldwork components and the selection of specialisation units.

The majority of assessments are assignment or project based which facilitates the development of interest areas and the integration of practice and theory components.

Graduates are able to pursue a career path in disability service provision management and specialisation in a number of areas including:

• accommodation support
• respite support
• employment support
• transition to work and community participation programs
• advocacy and information services
• policy development

Employment Screening

Students accepting a place in this course are required to participate in a number of professional placements throughout their program. In order to participate in professional experience it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they are able to successfully complete the child protection screening required in their State. Students, who are not cleared for working with children and therefore not be able to be placed in a compulsory professional placement, will not be able to complete their course.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5