UNBC and the School of Health Sciences offers Canada's first and only graduate program in Disability Management providing graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully develop disability management strategies, including work entry or return-to-work strategies for injured workers and/or persons with disabilities.
Our unique on line course based option has been attractive to students from a range of geographical locations and professions. A thesis is also available for students who wish to pursue a research-based degree and who are able to travel to the Prince George campus to fulfill their thesis requirements. The thesis-based option is only available pending thesis supervisor availability and interest.
Our faculty have a strong background in disability management and related fields, including strong publication records and international leadership in the field. Our faculty continues to build and update the program to reflect national and international developments and standards in the field.
More details about the Master of Arts in Disability Management (MA in Disability Management) can be found in the University Calendar https://unbc.ca/calendar/graduate/disability-management
Prospective Students
The MA in Disability Management Program is attractive to students from a diverse range of backgrounds including the fields of economics, community health, social work, psychology, education, and business. This program is also of interest to professionals currently working in the human resources, occupational therapy, social work, and related professions. This program offers an opportunity to pursue well-rounded applied, and interdisciplinary field of study in disability management by combining coursework, practical application of knowledge and research experience.
The MA in Disability Management is offered primarily as an online, part-time option. A full-time, in person option may be considered in special cases. Graduates of MA in Disability Management are employed in the insurance industry, human resources or other organizations servicing people with disabilities. The graduates of the program may pursue the accreditation Canadian Certification for Rehabilitation Counsellors or may continue their education through the National Institute for Disability Management and Research to become a Certified Return to Work Coordinator or Certified Disability Management Professional.
Entrance Requirements
Students intending to enroll in the MA in Disability Management are required to have an undergraduate degree in a related field. The usual requirements for graduate admission apply: see the University Calendar https://unbc.ca/calendar/graduate/disability-management for details.
Components of the Degree
The MA in Disability Management combines course work, research and the practical application of knowledge to give students a well-rounded, applied education in the field of Disability Management. This program is delivered in two options, described below. Further details on specific course requirements for both options can be found in the University Calendar https://unbc.ca/calendar/graduate/disability-management
1. Online Course-based Comprehensive Exam Option.
UNBC offers the MA Disability Management degree as an online course-based option, which ensures that the degree can be completed by students who cannot attend classes in Prince George. The online course-based option is designed to be taken on a part-time basis. Students are required to take a minimum of one course per term, and can expect to complete the required course work in three to four years. Courses generally run in both the September and January terms with some courses available during the May term. Students can expect to spend 10-14 hours per week on one course on average. The option to take face-to-face courses at the Prince George campus is available to all students.
All students in the online course-based option are required to complete a final comprehensive examination to complete the degree requirements.
2. Course plus Thesis Option (Prince George Campus only)
Students in the Thesis Option can complete courses online consistent with the graduate calendar, and are required to travel to the Prince George campus to fulfil their thesis requirements. Students wishing to pursue a thesis option are required to describe their specific research interests and identify a potential supervisor as part of their graduate application process. Information about Health Sciences Faculty and their research interests is available at: https://unbc.ca/health-sciences/faculty