Master of Disability and Inclusion
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Disability and Inclusion |
| Deakin course code | H709 |
| Course credit points | 12 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2021 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Be part of social change that advances inclusion and equity with Deakin’s Master of Disability and Inclusion. Informed by contemporary disability research, policy and practice, the course prepares you for leadership, advocacy, research and community-focused roles within a growing sector.
Deeply connected to people with disability, the disability sector and the communities they serve, the course is shaped by lived experience perspectives and contemporary developments in disability rights, legislation and inclusion. You will critically engage with disability theory, policy and practice while exploring areas including community capacity building, inclusive technology, human rights and social determinants of health.
Assessment tasks can often be tailored to your professional or community context. You can also choose to undertake a major research project or select from a broad range of elective units.
Indicative student workload
As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 150 hours of learning and assessment activities for each credit point, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Professional recognition
Not applicable
Career opportunities
The disability sector in Australia is rapidly expanding and evolving. Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme is now fully rolled out across the nation. This has resulted in an unprecedented demand on Australia’s disability sector. According to National Disability Services’ Australian Disability Workforce report (2018), the disability support workforce growth rate was 11.1% per year (between 2015-2017). This compares with growth of 1.6% for the entire Australian workforce at the time* This means that there are employment opportunities in a range of positions.
According to the most recent National Disability Services (NDS) report**, the NDIS will soon have 500,000 participants and, according to some estimates, the disability workforce will need to double in size in the next three years just to keep pace with increasing demand. According to this same report the disability industry is feeling pressure to secure quality staff. In addition, with more and more countries signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, opportunities for our students to gain employment within global contexts, within their countries of origin or global institutions such as the United Nations, are rapidly increasing.
As a graduate of the Master of Disability and Inclusion, you will be perfectly suited for positions including leadership roles in policy, practice and research in Australia and internationally.
In particular, the course was designed to align with areas of knowledge and skills identified in current disability position descriptions. These include:
- knowledge of disability systems including disability research, legislation and policy
- high-level communication skills for working with people with disability and their families
- self-directed approaches to service planning
- community capacity-building knowledge and skills.
In addition to these roles, there are a huge range of areas within the sector you can explore once you graduate, such as:
- policy and legislation
- education
- health and human services
- community development
- roles within state and federal government, government agencies, community organisations and disability service providers.
You will also be well-equipped for research opportunities once you graduate, including employment in the higher education sector in research and teaching. Or, you may be eligible to continue your studies in a PhD program within Disability and Inclusion.
* ADWR_Third_Edition_July_2018.pdf
** State_of_the_Disability_Sector_Reports/SoTDS_2020.pdf
Participation requirements
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Pathways
The Major project units offered as course electives are research projects, selecting these units as part of the 12-credit point Masters may allow you to apply to undertake further study such as a PhD in Disability and Inclusion.
Students who have completed the 4 units of the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion (H508) will be given credit for these units when they enrol in the Master of Disability and Inclusion.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion (H508) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Disability and Inclusion (H608) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply expert knowledge and research skills in the area of Disability and Inclusion that includes application of theory and evidence-based approaches to policy, participation and social inclusion of people with Disabilities. |
| Communicate using a range of modes, theoretical positions, methodologies and professional decisions on Disability and Inclusion in an effective manner, being mindful of the target audience. |
| Use digital technologies to source, use and disseminate ideas, information and research findings relevant to Disability and Inclusion to a range of audiences including people with disability. |
| Use specialised knowledge to critically analyse and synthesise complex information related to policy, theory and research in the area of Disability and Inclusion. |
| Apply specialised research and cognitive skills to find evidence-based solutions to complex policy related problems in the area of Disability and Inclusion. |
| Plan and execute a substantial research based project in the area of Disability and Inclusion and demonstrate expert judgement and responsibility as a practitioner or learner. |
| Contribute to the productive functioning of a multi-skilled team working in the area of policy, research and advocacy for people with disability. |
| Demonstrate a high level of awareness and respect for diversity in line with contemporary human rights obligations and apply ethical and inclusive approaches to disability research and practice. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Disability and Inclusion you must pass 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 12-credit point Master of Disability and Inclusion includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points which may comprise of:
- 6 credit points of course electives
- 1 Major Project which consists of:
- 2 credit points Major Project A
- 2 credit points Major Project B
- 2 credit points of course electives
- 1 Minor Project which consists of:
- 1 credit point Minor Project A
- 1 credit point Minor Project B
- 4 credit points of course electives.
Students who enter via the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion (or equivalent) will only need to complete the remaining 8 credit points
Students must undertake HSH733 (Major Project A) and HSH734 (Major Project B) if they wish to undertake PhD studies in the future
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
All students must complete the following 6 core units and 1 zero credit point unit:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HDS730 | Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience |
| HDS731 | Planning for Inclusion Across the Life Course |
| HDS732 | Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability |
| HDS733 | Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion |
| HDS734 | Inclusive Design and Technology |
| HSH753 | Research Methods in Health and Social Development |
Electives
Students must also select 6 electives. These may be chosen from the course elective list below.
Students interested in pursuing a research focus can undertake a Minor or Major Project in place of some of these course electives.
Minor Project Option^
| HSH731 | Minor Research Project A |
| HSH732 | Minor Research Project B |
Plus 4 of the course electives from the list below
^Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 to be eligible to undertake the minor project option.
OR
Major Project Option*
| HSH733 | Major Research Project A |
| HSH734 | Major Research Project B |
Plus 2 of the course electives from the list below
*Students must have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 to be eligible to undertake the major project option.
OR
Students must select 6 course elective units from the following list
| ACG708 | Design Strategies |
| ADS701 | Introduction to Humanitarianism, Development and Disasters |
| ADS705 | Participatory and Community Development Practice |
| ADS715 | Cross Cultural Communication and Practice |
| AHA721 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| AHL701 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| AIP704 | Making Policy |
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| EIE702 | Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom |
| EXE732 | Social Justice and Difference |
| HDS727 | Auslan and the Deaf Community: Health and Wellbeing |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH715 | Qualitative Health Research |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development |
| HME711 | Health Law and Ethics |
| HPS774 | Social Psychology |
| IND734 | Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing |
Work experience
Not applicable
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.