Duration: 2 years (4 Semesters)
Programme Overview
Preamble: The Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development programme was established in 2020, approved and accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), and Kyambogo University, Uganda. The programme runs for two (2) years full-time with flexible study modes using both face-to-face and virtual learning. The programme is under the mandate of the Directorate of Graduate Training and Research of Kyambogo University and is implemented in coordination with the Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Uganda.
Rationale: The Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is based on the overarching principle of Leave No One Behind. However, there’s a critical gap in personnel who are specialized in planning and managing disability and inclusive development services due to the lack of a graduate disability studies program in Uganda. With a small pool of professionals in disability studies and insufficient competencies among development workers and/or leaders of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), the interests and needs of most persons with disabilities are limitedly considered in existing development interventions. Besides, various models, definitions, and emerging theories of disability originate largely from the Western world, imported to Africa with limited contextualization. Being the first of its kind in the East African region. The Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS) is designed in consultation with stakeholders in international and Uganda’s disability fraternity to provide practical and scholarly skills to practitioners and aspiring candidates in disability and inclusive development services provision.
Program aim: The Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS), at Kyambogo University, prepares students into professionals to facilitate the design and implementation of disability-inclusive development programs. The plan is to professionalize human resources and accelerate the effective implementation of integrated national and international disability policies, frameworks and programmes in Uganda.
Target Group
The Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS), at Kyambogo University, is an interdisciplinary programme and targets people with from various professional backgrounds and work experiences in disability and inclusive development fields.
Notable participants in our programme include leaders and managers of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), personnel in disability inclusion programmes, community-based services workers, community education facilitators, development program managers, consultants and capacity-building officers in inclusive community development programmes. In the last three (3) academic years the programme has attracted staff from Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda, District Local Governments, Disability Activists, Leaders of Organizations of Persons with Disability (OPDs) and International Nongovernmental Organizations in Uganda.
Mode of Delivery
Learning on the Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS), Kyambogo University is conducted through a blended system of delivery that involves flexible online and physical face-to-face modes of teaching that are cognizant of the busy schedules, adult learners’ nature and disability status of target participants.
Admission to the Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS) is in accordance with Kyambogo University Graduate School Procedures and Regulations. A candidate is eligible for admission to the GMDS programme on meeting this minimum requirement.
- At least a Second-Class Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized academic institution.
| Master of Disability Studies and Inclusive Development (GMDS) |
|---|
| Year 1, Semester 1: All are Core Courses |
| NMDS 7101: Foundations of Disability Studies |
| NMDS 7102: Disability Law and Policy |
| NMDS 7103: African Discourses on Disability |
| NMDS 7104: Inclusive Development |
| NMDS 7105: Disability, Human Rights and Development |
| Year 1, Semester 2: All are Core Courses |
| NMDS 7201: Research Methods |
| NMDS 7202: Assessment and Interventions of Disability |
| NMDS 7203: Rehabilitation and Community Inclusion |
| NMDS 7204: Logic and Critical Thinking |
| Year 2, Semester 1: Core Courses |
| NMDS 7301: Graduate Research Seminar: Research Proposal Writing |
| NMDS 7302: Inclusive Technology |
| Electives: A student shall choose two (2) elective courses i.e. one (1) course from each category A or B |
| Category A: Electives |
| NMDS 7303: Disability and Ageing |
| NMDS 7304: Inclusive Health Promotion |
| Category B: Electives |
| NMDS 7305: Project Planning and Management |
| NMDS 7306: Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion |
| Year 2, Semester 2: Core Course |
| NMDS 7401: Thesis: Research Report Writing & Viva Voce |
Graduates from the GMDS programme are employed as researchers and consultants in disability studies and inclusive development, program managers and/or officers, and disability inclusion specialists, community development workers in inclusive and integrated community development services sector in both public and private sectors. Most of our students are already working and/or hold influential positions in their workplace and accommodate their fellow students on the organizational projects they lead.
- For Ugandans and East African Students: 4,000,000 UGX Per annum (2,000,000=) per semester
- For International Students: 6,000,000 UGX per annum; (3,000,000=) per semester
All prospective students shall always apply via the university’s admissions portal for the open intakes. The admissions portal can be accessed here.
You can also learn more about open in-takes from here.
Abdul Busuulwa, Ph.D., Lecturer Postgraduate Programme Coordinator Department of Community and Disability Studies (CDS) Kyambogo University, Uganda Email: abusuulwa@kyu.ac.ug Phone: (+256) 772 492 131
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