Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility
For Domestic Students only
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program
Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is the practice of enabling people with low vision or blindness to know where they are, so they can get where they want to go safely.
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Delivery Mode
Distance (online with some face-to-face)
Award
Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility
Commencing Terms
Term 1
Duration (Full Time)
1 year
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is the practice of enabling people with low vision or blindness to know where they are, so they can get where they want to go safely. O&M specialists work with people of all ages, tailoring interventions to suit the needs of the individual client, including people with additional complexities such as health conditions.
Work integrated learning placements form a significant portion of the program and provide opportunities for students to undertake supervised placements at partner organisations such as health facilities, education settings and other relevant agencies. Students are exposed to a wide breath of experience and upon graduating, you will be able to able to demonstrate clinical competence with various populations of individuals with blindness and low vision, allowing you to work across a wide range of organisations that provide O&M services.
Key features
- Hands-on training and industry placements
You will complete a supervised Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement in an agency providing O&M services. Face-to-face WIL placement components are a critical component of the degree and may be completed in a student’s home state where possible. WIL placements, however, are dependent on the availability in industry, and thus students must be prepared to travel within their state to see clients in different locations and on some occasions may need to undertake a WIL placement interstate.
- Flexible delivery
The theory component of this program is offered through distance online education. There are five weeks of face-to-face techniques training at UNSW in Sydney and approximately 20 weeks of full-time equivalent WIL placement.
- Pathway to accreditation
You will graduate with the specialised knowledge and skills required to work in Australia as an O&M specialist. Accreditation is required by some employers through the US based ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals). The UNSW Graduate Diploma of Orientation and Mobility meets the core domain requirements for graduates to apply for certification through ACVREP however after graduation you will need to accumulate further supervised practice hours to apply for and sit the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) exam.
For further information, please visit the program FAQs.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
The Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility will provide graduates with specialised knowledge, and critical and analytical skills to support lifelong learning. It provides practical experience as part of the process for graduates to apply for industry certification and to work as an O&M specialist with clients who have low vision or blindness.
Study with the School of Optometry and Vision Science
UNSW Optometry and Vision Science is the largest school of optometry in Australia. We are committed to forming partnerships within the ophthalmic industry and across the healthcare sector. The School is committed to translational research that will lead to practical applications and significant improvements in community eye health.
Program Code
5420
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
48
Indicative Enrolments
New Program
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this program is an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Undergraduate degrees from a health science and/or teaching background are generally an advantage.
In order to comply with organisational requirements students will need to have an NDIS Workers Screening Check, which in most states includes a Working With Children Check (WWCC), criminal history check and abide by the immunisation and safety protocols from the relevant health authorities for students in training. Requirements will be outlined specially to students when placements are secured for that student. The cost associated with this work experience will be met by the student.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
The minimum entry requirement for this program is an AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Undergraduate degrees from a health science and/or teaching background are generally an advantage.
In order to comply with organisational requirements students will need to have an NDIS Workers Screening Check, which in most states includes a Working With Children Check (WWCC), criminal history check and abide by the immunisation and safety protocols from the relevant health authorities for students in training. Requirements will be outlined specially to students when placements are secured for that student. The cost associated with this work experience will be met by the student.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The program delivery mode is full time, largely through distance online education with face-to-face practical components required to be completed as part of the Graduate Diploma.
The practical components include:
- Five weeks of face-to-face techniques training (at UNSW in Sydney) with extra techniques training in home states as required
- Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) placement (approximately 20 weeks full time equivalent). WIL is a major component of this program, providing opportunities for supervised work integrated learning and external placements in orientation and mobility services at industry partners.
The cost associated with attending practical components (in particular travel, accommodation and meeting away-from-home costs) will be met by the student.
The Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility will equip you with:
1. Advanced disciplinary knowledge in orientation and mobility
Advanced disciplinary knowledge and be able to demonstrate application to practice in the field of orientation and mobility, displaying an awareness of national and international issues in disability, education and broader eye health care sector, and how these issues impact on delivering client services.
2. Demonstrated the required skills to practice as an O&M Specialist
An ability to apply knowledge and skills in orientation and mobility to work across organisations that provide low vision services or as an autonomous practitioner.
3. Demonstrated effective skills in communication and collaboration skills in a digital age
An ability to communicate with clarity, to facilitate understanding, actions and impact to all types of people. Including teamwork, building relationships across contexts, and using digital technology effectively to undertake and improve work outcomes for all.
4. Critical and analytical thinking and application to orientation and mobility intervention
An ability to identify and define the problem, determine viable solutions and make recommendations that have been produced using a range of tools, methods to critically assess existing knowledge, assumptions and elements of the issue in well-reasoned, insightful manner.
5. Creativity and innovation for an evolving industry
Demonstrated being able to connect new ideas, challenge current thinking and practices and create solutions to further evolve the profession.
6. Client focus with an ethical and culturally aware lens and awareness of a wider personal ecosystem that impacts delivering services to clients
An ability to have a proactive client focus, mindful of the client experience, engaging with all stakeholders in an ethical and culturally sensitive way to uphold and monitor actions according to professional responsibilities and the wider world.
7. Initiative, drive and commitment to life-long learning
An ability to demonstrate initiative to further one's knowledge, skills by consistent commitment to self-reflection and monitoring one's practice against newly acquired knowledge.
Please visit the School of Vision Science & Optometry website to find further important information regarding the program delivery and participation requirements.
Future careers
The UNSW Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility is the only program of its kind in Australia. Currently there are a lack of O&M specialists in Australia, particularly in rural areas. There is the opportunity of working in non-for-profit rehabilitation organisations, the private sector, in research and overseas, i.e. Singapore, Africa and the Pacific Islands are in need of O&M specialists.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative CSP First Year Fee
$9,655*
2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree
$9,655*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
Note: students will be required to attend techniques training practicals, a low vision clinic observation and work integrated learning (WIL) placements. The cost associated with attending these practical components (in particular travel, accommodation and meeting away-from-home costs) will be met by the student.
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$41,280*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$41,280*
Full Fees are the cost of the degree for students who do not receive a CSP place.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$52,100*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$52,100*
Note: Students will be required to complete approximately 350 hours of work experience. The cost associated with this work experience might need to be met by the student, although many industry partners have offered this service in kind.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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Top 20WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2024.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
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